Deconstructive meditations and psychotherapy: Transforming the perception of the self.
World J Psychiatry June 19, 2025 Paulina Lamas-Morales, Rinchen Hijar-Aguinaga, Javier García-campayo 1 citation
Excessive self-focus, or selfishness, is common in modern culture, and while some self-focus is adaptive, rigid self-fixation harms psychological, interpersonal, and social well-being. Deconstructive meditations, contemplative practices that use self-inquiry to examine perception, cognition, and emotion, may help cultivate a more flexible, less self-centered perspective. These practices reduce identification with self-narratives and promote psychological flexibility, according to contemplative neuroscience. However, empirical research on these meditations is limited and needs further investigation. This article reviews the practices, their links to psychotherapy, and potential therapeutic applications, discussing clinical implications and future research directions to validate their impact on mental health.