Free your mind: Mindfulness practice of Buddhist philosophy

Buddhism, originating in India, emphasizes cultivating a healthy mind. Modern psychiatry incorporates Buddhist concepts, particularly mindfulness from the Satipatthana Sutta, into therapies such as Gestalt practice, dialectical behavioral therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction. Evidence supports mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and it can be effective in chronic and terminal illnesses. Mindfulness is an effective therapeutic technique that can also promote positive mental health in healthy individuals.

Study at a glance

Abstract

1. Osborne TR, Bhugra D. Practical and theoretical interactions of Buddhism and psychiatry: A view from the west. Indian J Psychiatry 2003;45:142-6. 2. Meadows G. Buddhism and psychiatry: Confluence and conflict. Australas Psychiatry 2003;11:16-20. 3. Wallace BA, Shapiro SL. Mental balance and well-being: Building bridges between Buddhism and western psychology. Am Psychol 2006;61:690-701. 4. Brazier C. Roots of mindfulness. Eur J Psychother Couns 2013;15:127-38. 5. Goldman MS, Ebrary Academic Complete. The American Soul Rush: Esalen and the Rise of Spiritual Privilege. New York: New York University Press; 2012. p. 168. 6. Linehan MM, Armstrong HE, Suarez A, Allmon D, Heard HL. Cognitive-behavioral treatment of chronically parasuicidal borderline patients. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1991;48:1060-4. 7. Kabat-Zinn J. Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness. New York: Dell Publishing; 1990. 8. MacKenzie MB, Kocovski NL. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: Trends and developments. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2016;9:125-32. 9. Hertenstein E, Rose N, Voderholzer U, Heidenreich T, Nissen C, Thiel N, et al. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in obsessive-compulsive disorder – A qualitative study on patients’ experiences. BMC Psychiatry 2012;12:185. Buddhism is a way of life,[1] which has its roots in India.[2] It primarily focuses on nurturing a healthy mind.[3] Modern day psychiatry incorporates various Buddhist concepts in different therapeutic practices; one of which is mindfulness. Mindfulness has been elaborated in detail in the Buddhist text “Satipatthana Sutta.”[4] Eastern traditions had a great influence on Dick Price who developed Gestalt practice, which incorporates principles of mindfulness meditation.[5] It is also central to dialectical behavioral therapy developed by Linehan et al.[6] and mindfulness-based stress reduction developed by Kabat-Zinn.[7] There is evidence supporting mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for treatment of depression[8] and obsessive–compulsive disorder.[9] It can be effective in chronic and terminal illnesses as well.[1] It is definitely an effective technique for therapy and can aid in cultivating positive mental health in normal individuals. ART AND PSYCHIATRY