Mindfulness at the heart of existential-phenomenology and humanistic psychology: A century of contemplation and elaboration.

Abstract

The mindfulness 'foundations' of existential-phenomenology appeared at the turn of the 20th century. Humanistic psychology's affinity with phenomenology emerged in the latter half of the mid-20th century. Yet the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) third wave mindfulness literature does not appear to have turned toward full collaborative acknowledgment of its neighboring precursors. A revised history of Western mindfulness-based work and psychology is thus provided. Parallels among phenomenological-humanistic psychology (PHP), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) are also discussed. Specifically, non-judgmental observation and description, validation, acceptance, intuition, doing and being, bodily mindfulness, letting be, and meaning-making are reviewed. Herefrom, the CBT third wave is invited into generative intra-disciplinary dialogue with PHP.

The Relationship Between State Mindfulness and Working Alliance Among Counselors‐in‐Training

“…Some examples of questions include, “What do you recall being aware of at this point in the session?” “What ideas, thoughts, or perceptions occupied your attention at this moment?” “At what point did you realize you were not being mindful?” and “What did you notice about your reaction to the client when …?” Incorporating aspects of interpersonal process recall to foster mindfulness is congruent with humanistic practices because of their shared emphasis on awareness of self and client during a counseling session, acceptance of self and client, and the importance of the immediate experience. As previously described, these concepts have been identified as core components of humanistic philosophies and approaches to counseling (Andersen, ; Felder et al, ; Germer, ).…”

“…ID is a second interpersonal (as opposed to intrapersonal) formal mindfulness practice during which two participants discuss topics related to mindfulness while bringing attention, acceptance, and awareness to the experience of the interpersonal interaction (Kramer et al, ). Engaging in relational mindfulness practices and ID promotes immediate awareness of present experiences and of bodily sensations as described by Husserl and Merleau‐Ponty, respectively (Felder et al, ). Relational mindfulness practices and ID also require a degree of integration of present‐moment experiences of self and other, which parallels Heidegger's emphasis on present‐moment integration of mind, body, and world (Felder et al, ).…”

“…Andersen () proposed that the self‐acceptance and empathy associated with mindfulness practices could best be understood as an integrative (i.e., nonreductionistic) process involving cognitive, affective, and sensory/perceptual integrations of present‐moment experiences. Felder, Aten, Neudeck, Shiomi‐Chen, and Robbins () described how the existential–phenomenological philosophies that inform humanistic counseling incorporated concepts of mindfulness. Felder et al indicated that Edmund Husserl championed the importance of examining things as they appear in awareness, while Martin Heidegger emphasized the importance of a present‐moment integrated sense of mind, body, and world.…”

“…Felder et al also highlighted how Maurice Merleau‐Ponty's work on bodily perception giving rise to experiences of thought and being emphasized the importance of immediate awareness of and attention to bodily sensations prior to these experiences being shaped, narrowed, or distorted by spoken language or positivist science constructs and conceptualizations of the world. Collectively, Germer (), Anderson (), and Felder et al () suggested that mindfulness is aligned with humanistic counseling.…”

Evaluating Differences in the Working Alliance Based on Frequency of Mindfulness Practices Among Counselors‐in‐Training

“…The existential–humanistic philosophies upon which humanistic counseling is based share many concepts with mindfulness (Felder, Aten, Neudeck, Shiomi‐Chen, & Robbins, 2014). Edmund Husserl’s theory of phenomenological understanding emphasized the importance of examining phenomena as they appear in awareness without contextual biases, which is similar to the nonjudgmental awareness fostered in mindfulness practices (Felder et al, 2014). The present‐moment awareness of mindfulness is consistent with Martin Heidegger’s emphasis on an integrated sense of mind, body, and world within the present moment.…”