Buddhist Foundations of Mindfulness

?This book synthesizes the findings of scientific research studies, which have increased significantly during the last three decades, into the attributes, correlates, and applications of meditation and mindfulness. It addresses the operational issues that have arisen as a result of the rapidity at which these practices have been taken out of their traditional Buddhist setting and assimilated by Western psychological disciplines. The book explores concerns about whether or not the spiritual essence of meditation—particularly mindfulness meditation—has remained intact in itsclinically oriented Westernized form. Indeed, as the book explains, successive Western models of mindfulness have invariably failed to consider the cooperating or mechanistic role of other Buddhist spiritual-practice agents as well as the fact that, rather than a tool for treating psychological and/or somatic illness, mindfulness was traditionally practiced to facilitate a realization of a person’s full human potential and capacity for unconditional well-being. Related to this, the volume also examines operational issues concerning the inappropriate and/or inaccurate use in the scientific literature of meditation-related Buddhist terminology and principles. This book establishes robust foundations for the ongoing integration of meditation and mindfulness into Western psychological and scientific domains by addressing these issues and by outlining a structured system for the effective interpretation anddelineation of Buddhist meditative principles as part of a unified operational approach. It is essential reading for clinical psychologists, specialists in complementary and alternative medicine, social workers, and professionals, researchers, and graduate students in allied medical and mental health disciplines.?

Venerable Edo Shonin has been a Buddhist monk for 30 years and is Spiritual Director of the international Mahayana Bodhayati School of Buddhism. He is Research Director of the Awake to Wisdom Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness Research and a research psychologist at the Nottingham Trent University (UK). He sits on the International Advisory Board for the journalMindfulness and is an editorial board member of the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. He is internationally known for his work and has more than 100 academic publications relating to the scientific study of mindfulness and Buddhist practice.

Venerable William Van Gordon has been a Buddhist monk for 10 years and is Operations Director of the international Mahayana Bodhayati School of Buddhism. He is co-founder of the Awake to Wisdom Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness Research and is a research psychologist based at the Nottingham Trent University (UK). He is currently Principal Investigator on a number of randomized controlled trials investigating the applications of an intervention known as Meditation Awareness Training (MAT) in clinical and occupational settings. He sits on the editorial board for the International Journal of Buddhismand has more than 100 academic publications relating to the scientific study of Buddhism and associated meditative approaches.

Nirbhay N. Singh is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Health Behavior at the Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia, USA. Prior to his current appointment, he was a Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Psychology at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and Director of the Commonwealth Institute for Family Studies, Richmond, Virginia. His research interests include mindfulness, behavioral and psychopharmacological treatments of individuals with disabilities, and assistive technology for supporting individuals with severe/profound and multiple disabilities. He is the Editor-in-Chief of two journals:Journal of Child and Family Studies and Mindfulness; and Editor of three book series: Mindfulness in Behavioral Health, Evidence-based Practice in Behavioral Health,and Children and Families.