Religious and Secular Understanding of the Concept of Mindfulness – A Comparative Study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this research article is to compare, characterize, investigate, and examine how mindfulness is viewed and practised in various religious contexts (such as in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity) as well as in secular contexts (such as in the clinical psychological fields and in the psycho-therapeutic interventions). This is to find key concepts, practices, and various interpretations of mindfulness in both religious and secular settings.
Design/Methodology/Approach: In this Comparative study, though we can use mixed methods to have a more holistic understanding of various conceptions of mindfulness used in religious as well as secular contexts, however, here the researcher focuses only on qualitative data by analyzing religious texts on mindfulness and the literature related to it from the scholarly sources. Hence, the data collection methods used here are data collected from secondary sample sources like academic journals, books, and other reliable sources, to explore the meaning and cultural contexts associated with mindfulness practices within the religious traditions and secular fields.
Finding/Result: After analysing the concept of mindfulness in this comparative study, it is found that there exists a difference between the religious and secular understanding of mindfulness. Though the differences are not major ones, we can find some changes in the definition, goals, practices cultural context, faith etc.
Originality/Value: This comparative study offers a nuanced understanding of how mindfulness practices can be interpreted, applied, and appreciated across different disciplines. Thus, it explores the significance of mindfulness both in religious and secular contexts. This will enable us to check the practicality of mindfulness and to show how effective a tool it is to reduce stress and other related problems.
Paper Type: Comparative Study Article.