The Mindful Self: A Mindfulness-Enlightened Self-view

Abstract

This paper analyzes studies of mindfulness and the self, with the aim of deepening our understanding of the potential benefits of mindfulness and meditation for mental health and well-being. Our review of empirical research reveals that positive changes in attitudes toward the self and others as a result of mindfulness-enabled practices can play an important role in modulating many mental and physical health problems. Accordingly, we introduce a new concept—the “mindful self”—and compare it with related psychological constructs to describe the positive changes in self-attitude associated with mindfulness meditation practices or interventions. The mindful self is conceptualized as a mindfulness-enlightened self-view and attitude developed by internalizing and integrating the essence of Buddhist psychology into one’s self-system. We further posit that the mindful self will be an important intermediary between mindfulness intervention and mental health problems, and an important moderator in promoting well-being. More generally, we suggest that the mindful self may also be an applicable concept with which to describe and predict the higher level of self-development of those who grow up in the culture of Buddhism or regularly engage in meditation over a long period of time.

Association between anhedonia and suicidal events in patients with mood disorders: A 3‐year prospective study

“…It is interesting to note that pleasure (“liking”) and anti‐nociceptive experiences are related. Third‐wave cognitive behavioral therapies highlight that given the impermanence of the external reality, common pleasure (i.e., pleasure that depends on external things) is also called “changed suffering” (Xiao, Yue, He, & Yu, 2017). Common pleasure usually appears as the cessation of a previous discomfort (or pain; Gyatso, 2014).…”

Improved Self-Esteem in Artists After Participating in the “Building Confidence and Self-Esteem Toolbox Workshop”

“…Many of the components, tools, and methods employed in the workshop are supported by previous studies demonstrating their ability to positively affect self-esteem. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (Thurston et al, 2017 ), meditation (Dahl et al, 2015 ; Fabiani et al, 2016 ; Hankey and Shetkar, 2016 ; Xiao et al, 2017 ), creative visualization (Fiske, 2017 ), introspective reflection and writing (Lauer and Goldfield, 1970 ; Chandler, 1990 ), self-care mindfulness (Adimando, 2017 ), ceremonial ritual (Wozniak and Allen, 2012 ), and self-compassion and mindfulness (Galla, 2016 ).…”

Fruits of the Buddhism-science dialogue in contemplative research

“…Modern cognitive psychology has also wrestled with the concept of self, and contemplative research in particular has invoked self-regulation as a major possible mechanism underlying the positive effects of mindfulness training [24][25][26]. There is an interesting tension here within Western psychology.…”

“…On one hand, the self is accepted as central to well-being, and is something to be bolstered, understood, controlled, and treated with care [24,27,28]. On the other hand, the self has also been examined as a possible source of clinging or "stuck-ness," a driver of craving and addiction, and something to be seen through or even moved beyond [26,[29][30][31][32][33]. This same tension exists in Buddhism, and is resolved through the notion of two levels of truth [34].…”