Mindfulness is widely used and effective, but easily misunderstood in ways that limit its benefits. The concept rests on five seemingly contradictory dialectical positions: activity versus passivity, wanting versus non-wanting, changing versus non-changing, non-judging versus non-reacting, and active acceptance versus passive acceptance. Understanding these paradoxes is necessary for proper application. The article discusses practical implications and potential caveats for medical professionals.
A pilot intervention study tested whether Metta (loving-kindness) meditation strengthens sense of coherence, resilience, and self-compassion in people with cardiovascular disease. The health-promoting personal protective factors were not strengthened by the practice. However, the intervention group showed a significant reduction in perceived stress and improved stress coping skills compared to the control group. Frequency of rehospitalization also differed significantly between groups. Due to the small sample size (29 participants), results are exploratory and preliminary; correlations between the changes and meditation cannot be finally assessed.