Training to strengthen the mental self-boundary (Self-Boundary Awareness Training, SBAT) results in greater mindfulness: How self-boundary awareness increases mindfulness

Abstract

Abstract 42 individuals completed an 8-week course to strengthenthe mental self-boundary. The group met on seven evenings (2,5 hours) and for an entire day (6 hours) to exchange experiencesand train the conscious perception of their mental self-boundaryin pairs or as a group. At home they carried out a guidedimagination exercise every day and kept a diary on specificself-boundary issues. The participants also received theoreticalinput on the spatial Boundary-Based Awareness Model and had theopportunity to physically experience the various mentalperspectives in relation to their own inner mental world and thatof others. Participants did not carry out any specificmindfulness exercises at home. Evaluation of FMI and BPSquestionnaires completed before and after the training revealed agreatly improved score for the self-boundary domain as well as asignificant improvement in the mindfulness score. Below wedescribe the training in more detail and discuss howself-boundary training could lead to greater mindfulness.