People who took psilocybin without other substances reported lasting increases in emotional sensitivity, empathy, and connection to others, along with deeper insights into their lives and values. The experience also led to profound shifts in behavior, attitudes, and interests, suggesting psilocybin can catalyze personal growth. This qualitative study used phenomenological methods to systematically describe the subjective psychedelic experience, aiming to inform its integration into psychotherapy.
Mindfulness, originally a Buddhist contemplative practice, has been adapted into Western psychology, neuroscience, education, and clinical work. This chapter examines its philosophical and cultural roots, along with debates about its secularization and reduction to a technique. Drawing on neurophenomenology, enactivism, and cultural psychology, it reframes mindfulness as both mental training and a culturally embedded existential stance that can reshape psychological models of consciousness and well-being. Critiques address its decontextualization and functional reductionism, while its potential to influence individuals and society is considered.