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. Degree Type Dissertation Rights Terms of use for work posted in CommonKnowledge. Comments Library Use: LIH This dissertation is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/201 Copyright and terms of use If you have downloaded this document directly from the web or from CommonKnowledge, see the “Rights” section on the previous page for the terms of use. If you have received this document through an interlibrary loan/document delivery service, the following terms of use apply: Copyright in this work is held by the author(s). You may download or print any portion of this document for personal use only, or for any use that is allowed by fair use (Title 17, §107 U.S.C.). Except for personal or fair use, you or your borrowing library may not reproduce, remix, republish, post, transmit, or distribute this document, or any portion thereof, without the permission of the copyright owner. [Note: If this document is licensed under a Creative Commons license (see “Rights” on the previous page) which allows broader usage rights, your use is governed by the terms of that license. ] Inquiries regarding further use of these materials should be addressed to: CommonKnowledge Rights, Pacific University Library, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, (503) 352-7209. Email inquiries may be directed to:. copyright@pacificu.edu This dissertation is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/201 REINVENTING THE WHEEL: MINDFULNESS DEFINITION AND DEVELOPMENT IN BUDDHISM AND PSYCHOLOGY A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY PACIFIC UNIVERSITY HILLSBORO, OREGON BY BRENNAN D. GILBERT IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY APRIL 15, 2011 APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE: Michael S. Christopher, Ph.D. Assistant Professor James B. Lane, Ph.D. Professor Michel Hersen, Ph.D. Professor and Dean