Envisioning a Future Contemplative Science of Mindfulness: Fruitful Methods and New Content for the Next Wave of Research.

Summary

Mindfulness combines spiritual practice with behavioral techniques focused on present-moment awareness. There is a need for future research to explore four key areas: performance-based measures of mindfulness, the scientific evaluation of Buddhist claims, neurophenomenology, and changes in gene expression induced by mindfulness. These domains aim to enhance the understanding of mindfulness through modern empirical research methods.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Mindfulness is an ancient spiritual practice as well as a unique behavioral technique involving the cultivation of non-judgmental, non-reactive, metacognitive awareness of present-moment experience. Given the growing interest in mindfulness across numerous academic and clinical disciplines, an agenda is needed to guide the next wave of research. Here, we suggest four areas that, in our view, are important for a future contemplative science of mindfulness: performance-based measures of mindfulness, scientific evaluation of Buddhist claims, neurophenomenology of mindfulness, and measuring changes in mindfulness-induced gene expression. By exploring these domains, the wisdom of the meditative traditions may be complemented by leading-edge empirical research methodologies.