Mindfulness: Future Pathways and Cross-Fertilizations through Cultural Psychology.
Integrative psychological & behavioral science – December 21, 2024
Source: PubMed
Summary
Mindfulness can lead to profound personal transformation, akin to a volcanic eruption that reshapes psychological needs. Integrating Maslow's hierarchy, this perspective emphasizes the importance of self-actualization and self-transcendence through meditation. With insights from various sources, including a commentary featuring 58 articles, the focus shifts towards personalizing mindfulness practices within diverse social and cultural contexts. This holistic approach advocates for adapting traditional frameworks to meet contemporary human needs, fostering deeper connections with oneself and the environment while exploring the spiritual dimensions of Daoism and semiotic resources.
Abstract
This commentary outlines a novel agenda for future mindfulness research, building on various authors' insights, particularly Indius (Indius, S. (2024). Meditation and Self-transcendence: A Human need? Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science, 58(3), 878-883), who integrates Maslow's hierarchy of needs into the discussion of mindfulness. Indius argues for a revision of humanistic psychology to reflect contemporary needs, emphasizing the dynamic nature of meditation as a transformative process that leads to self-actualization and self-transcendence. This exploration highlights the metaphor of a volcanic eruption to illustrate how meditation can lead to the destruction and subsequent rebirth of psychological needs, fostering a deeper connection to oneself and the environment. Additionally, it examines the interplay of social, material, and cultural contexts in shaping mindfulness practices, suggesting a need for personalization and ecological interconnectedness. The commentary aligns with multiple perspectives presented in the Special Issue, underscoring the necessity of adapting traditional frameworks like Maslow's to meet evolving cultural and psychological landscapes. Future research pathways include preserving mindfulness breakthroughs, exploring religious worldviews, and integrating social environments into mindfulness studies, ultimately advocating for a holistic understanding of mindfulness as both a process and outcome in the context of human experience.