Introduction to the Special Issue on Phenomenology and Mindfulness

Summary

This special issue brings together phenomenology and mindfulness to highlight both their overlaps and differences, exploring historical and systematic connections. Phenomenology is broadly defined, focusing on Husserl, Heidegger, and Merleau-Ponty, while mindfulness includes Buddhist and Stoic traditions. The issue examines how a phenomenological approach to mindfulness can deepen understanding of concepts like attention, authenticity, time, and dignity, with potential benefits for clinical psychology by linking mindfulness, well-being, and self-exploration.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This special issue collects papers that explore the relationship between phenomenology and mindfulness with the goal of creating a fruitful dialogue between these two traditions, so as to bring into relief the overlaps and incongruities, exploring historical as well as systematic connections. Both phenomenology and mindfulness are inclusively construed: the former (phenomenology) is understood as an umbrella term that includes philosophers and approaches that follow directly from Brentano’s and Husserl’s phenomenological discoveries. For this reason, the issue will focus on phenomenology as a method as well as a philosophical approach with a major emphasis on Husserl’s, Heidegger’s, and Merleau-Ponty’s approach. The latter (mindfulness) includes a wide range of conceptions of mindfulness, from Buddhist-inspired strands of meditation practices and theories to Stoic-inspired. The journal issue takes into consideration the potential benefits that such a theme would have to clinical psychology by exploring the existing connection between mindfulness, well-being, and self-exploration. In particular, in this special issue we will point out how the phenomenological approach to mindfulness can help to further the understanding of such notions as “attention,” “authenticity,” “time,” “dignity,” and more.

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