Reinventing the Wheel: Mindfulness Definition and Development in Buddhism and Psychology

Recent psychological interest in the benefits of Buddhist meditation has led to support for mindfulness as an important variable in well-being and as a target of clinical intervention. Although mindfulness interventions are gaining empirical support for a variety of conditions, low practice rates and high attrition rates may hinder the impact of this intervention. Low adherence rates in mindfulness interventions may be increased by incorporating additional Buddhist interventions which facilitate motivation to meditate and support mindfulness development. This dissertation presents the Buddhist operationalization of mindfulness and three areas of Buddhist intervention that are supportive of mindfulness as part of a larger spiritual path. There is developing evidence in psychology for several areas of Buddhist practice, suggesting that when incorporated into current mindfulness interventions, these additional practices may increase treatment adherence. The role and importance of intent, compassion, and morality in Buddhist mindfulness development are presented, and psychological support for these interventions is discussed. Recommendations for incorporating additional empirically supported Buddhist practices into mindfulness interventions are made