Beyond Mindfulness

Abstract

Since the publication of Bergin's classic 1980 paper "Psychotherapy and Religious Values" in the Journal of Clinical and Consulting Psychology, an enormous amount of quality research has been conducted on the integration of religious and spiritual values and perspectives into the psychotherapy endeavor. Numerous empirical studies, chapters, books, blogs, and specialty organizations have emerged in the past 35 years that have helped researchers and clinicians alike come to appreciate the value of religion and spirituality in the psychotherapeutic process. While so much has been accomplished in this area of integration, so much more needs to occur in order for the psychotherapeutic world to benefit from the wisdom of the great religious and spiritual traditions and values. While state-of-the-art quality research has and continues to demonstrate how religious and spiritual practices and values can be used effectively to enhance the benefits of behavioral and psychological interventions, too often the field either gets overly focused on particular and perhaps trendy areas of interest (e.g., mindfulness) or fails to appreciate and incorporate the research evidence supporting (or not supporting) the use of certain religiously or spiritually informed assessments and interventions. The purpose of this article is to reflect on where the field integrating religion, spirituality and psychotherapy has evolved through the present and where it still needs to go in the future. In doing so I hope to reflect on the call for integration that Bergin highlights in his classic 1980 paper. Keywords: Spirituality, religion, psychotherapy, integrationThe 1980 publication of Bergin's important and groundbreaking "Psychotherapy and Religious Values" in the Journal of Clinical and Consulting Psychology1 helped to start a growing trend and opportunity to more fully examine how religious and spiritual values have been incorporated into psychotherapy. Much progress has been made in the thirty-five years since this remarkable article. A great deal of research has well demonstrated that religious and spiritual practices and values can effectively enhance the benefits of psychotherapeutic interventions. Yet the field has become overly focused on certain areas of interest (e.g., mindfulness) without adequate attention to research of other religiously and spiritually informed interventions. Foundations: Examining Context and DirectionsPsychology has had an ambivalent relationship with religion and spirituality for decades. And perhaps American psychology has been especially ambivalent over the years and has often been antagonistic. For example, although most Americans report that they believe in God and are engaged in a religious tradition 1 Bergin, "Psychotherapy", 95.

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“…However, during recent decades, some psychotherapy techniques that are rooted in religious and spiritual approaches have been adapted and secularized to use with clients who struggle with a wide range of psychological, behavioral, and relationship difficulties. Mindfulness-based stress reduction is the best example of this trend (e.g., Arthington, 2016; Germer et al, 2013; Khoury et al, 2013; Plante, 2016). Although mindfulness meditation originated within the Buddhist spiritual tradition, it has been thoughtfully secularized so that mindfulness appeals to diverse populations regardless of their religious or spiritual backgrounds or interests (Shonin et al, 2015).…”

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“…Spirituality, experienced through mindfulness, yoga, nature walks, and so forth seem to be a positive thing in the minds of many (Arthington, 2016). Spirituality, in this way, is viewed as personal and individualistic with no oppressive structures or leaders telling anyone what to do and how to do it (Plante, 2009, 2016; Walach, 2017). Mindfulness and yoga have become extremely popular and readily accepted by the secular community (Plante, 2016; Sun, 2014; Walach, 2017).…”

“…Spirituality, in this way, is viewed as personal and individualistic with no oppressive structures or leaders telling anyone what to do and how to do it (Plante, 2009, 2016; Walach, 2017). Mindfulness and yoga have become extremely popular and readily accepted by the secular community (Plante, 2016; Sun, 2014; Walach, 2017). Such approaches and interventions come from traditional and eastern religious traditions and communities including Buddhism and Hinduism (Newcombe & O’Brien-Kop, 2020; Shonin et al, 2015).…”

“…Such approaches and interventions come from traditional and eastern religious traditions and communities including Buddhism and Hinduism (Newcombe & O’Brien-Kop, 2020; Shonin et al, 2015). Religious associations are minimized while the secular aspects are maximized (Burnett, 2011; Plante, 2016; Sun, 2014).…”

Mindfulness, soulfulness, and spiritual development in spiritually oriented psychotherapy.

“…The interest and enthusiasm regarding mindfulness has been palpable. The numbers of resulting books, workshops, seminars, podcasts, articles, and so forth that have become available during the past 10 years in particular have been striking” (Plante, 2016, p. 138). For some, mindfulness has virtually achieved the status of a panacea.…”