A Four-Dimensional Model of Mindfulness and Its Implications for Health

• This article introduces a four-field model of mindfulness training and discusses its implications for health. Through the pioneering work of Kabat-Zinn and others, a vast amount of research has been conducted regarding both physical and mental mindfulness; as such, it is generally these two dimensions that are relied upon for intervention by health care professionals. While certainly a sign of progress, this article proposes that the essential next step in mindfulness training is to involve the less known social and existential dimensions as well. Indeed, it is herein argued that the addition of these two fields can serve to enhance the theory of resilience, the general promotion of human health, and the specific practice of mindfulness, especially as it relates to both group and meaning-of-life contexts. It is further argued that a more nuanced understanding of physical (a Western notion) and spiritual (an Eastern notion) mindfulness can be obtained by examining the interconnectedness of all four fields. The aim is to open the way toward a more broad, holistic, and altruistic approach to the practice of mindfulness as well as to encourage further research along these potentially productive lines.

Subject headings

HUMANIORA  -- Filosofi, etik och religion (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Philosophy, Ethics and Religion (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Sociologi -- Socialpsykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Sociology -- Social Psychology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

social mindfulness

existential mindfulness

Buddhism

resilience

logotherapy

psychological stages

QUALITY-OF-LIFE

SOCIAL-PSYCHIATRY

RESILIENCE

SPIRITUALITY

METAANALYSIS

STRESS

Psychology

Multidisciplinary

Religion

social mindfulness

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)