Humanistic Mindfulness: A Bridge Between Traditional and Modern Mindfulness in Schools

Abstract

Mindfulness, which originated in the Buddhist tradition, has become popular in the West and has been integrated into schools. During this migration from a particular-traditional-religious context into a universal-modern-secular one, mindfulness has shed key ethical values and became a “science of happiness.” In addition, in the West it has taken on diverse interpretations, such that the original concept has become unclear. Thus, it is important to understand mindfulness in its original form before its implementation in schools. The gap between West and East can be bridged by incorporating important elements from traditional Buddhism—meditation, wisdom, and moral virtues, into Western mindfulness. Humanistic education already has similar elements incorporated into it and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programs have the potential to be the practical tool through which this holistic concept of mindfulness may be applied. In this manner, mindfulness in schools will be even more compatible with educational goals.

Dispositional mindfulness plays a major role in adolescents' active and passive responding to bully‐victim dynamics

“…The current research examined mindfulness as a disposition but mindfulness can be cultivated by meditation practice (Bishop et al, 2004). Moreover, mindfulness recently has been suggested as a practice that was originally aimed at promoting morality and prosociality, which should be also the main core of education (Malin, 2022). From this point of view, mindfulness meditation can be used at school not only in preventing bullying but more important than that, in bringing the silent audience to defend the victim and show that aggression is unacceptable.…”

Corporate Nirvana: The Buddhist way to social sustainability and business innovation

“…Buddhism also serve as a guide to organizations and leaders to sustain their leadership practices over centuries by following spiritual leadership (Foo, 2012) and authentic leadership (Swierczek & Jousse, 2014). Employees can also achieve greater consciousness, well‐being, and organizational growth by engaging in Buddhist‐based spiritual practices (Malin, 2023; Marques, 2010). For consumers, the practice of these “brahmaviharas” can influence the avaricious attitude toward money and improve ethical consumer beliefs (Gentina et al, 2021), and counter the negative impact of materialism on mental and spiritual health (Pace, 2013; Zhao, 2022).…”

“…Employees can also achieve greater consciousness, well-being, and organizational growth by engaging in Buddhist-based spiritual practices (Malin, 2023;Marques, 2010). For consumers, the practice of these "brahmaviharas" can influence the avaricious attitude toward money and improve ethical consumer beliefs (Gentina et al, 2021), and counter the negative impact of materialism on mental and spiritual health (Pace, 2013;.…”