AO2 – The extent to which the contemporary Mindfulness movement can be considered to be Buddhist
The contemporary Mindfulness movement can be considered Buddhist because it alleviates suffering. Buddhism teaches that suffering is caused by the free fires/poisons. An effect of mindfulness is that the mind is focused and calmed in order that these three might be removed.
The contemporary Mindfulness movement is simply a form of mindlessness i.e. escaping from the human condition rather than facing its reality in terms of the three lakshanas. The fact that the contemporary Mindfulness movement finds ready acceptance in the world of business and education indicates that it is concerned mainly with helping to calm people and make them more productive rather than deal with their pain. Therefore it is not Buddhist nor does it alleviate suffering.
Although it can be used negatively for escapism, it isn’t always and furthermore traditional Buddhism can also be used for escapism. The contemporary Mindfulness movement has been scientifically proven to help in cases of addiction and areas related to palliative health care, showing that it offers an antidote to suffering. Since the contemporary Mindfulness movement is overall an excellent mechanism for removing the three fires/poisons, it should be seen as Buddhist.
Arguably the contemporary Mindfulness movement does not really uproot the three fires/poisons, however. It serves only as a temporary treatment of the suffering which is a symptom of the three fires/poisons, rather than as an antidote which addresses tanha; the causes of suffering, like traditional Buddhism does. Suffering is just postponed and not properly addressed.
The contemporary Mindfulness movement may offer an antidote to suffering through its focus on detachment from external stimuli and desires. This would correspond with tackling the cause of suffering as revealed in the second Noble Truth: tanha.
Buddhist meditation traditions such as samatha have always had the same goal as that espoused by the contemporary Mindfulness movement. The contemporary Mindfulness movement is Buddhist because it is in essence a form of Buddhist meditation focusing the mind on the present moment.
How far does the contemporary Mindfulness movement only address one very small aspect of Buddhism without any reference to key teachings such as the three laksahanas or pratityasamutpada, karma and rebirth? The contemporary Mindfulness movement is not Buddhist because it does require or address any key Buddhist beliefs and teachings.
The contemporary Mindfulness movement fits more easily within the secular self-help movement rather than having anything to do with Buddhism?
One of the goals of Buddhism is to alleviate human suffering. This is precisely the goal of the contemporary Mindfulness movement which skilful means would suggest makes it Buddhist. The contemporary Mindfulness movement could be regarded as a vehicle such as those commented upon in the Parable of the Burning House.
It can be considered as Buddhist because the Noble Eightfold Path refers to Right Mindfulness. Thich Nhat Hanh recommends the practice of mindfulness through slow walking meditation and through smiling. He is a renowned Buddhist teacher which suggests that mindfulness is Buddhist
AO2 – The extent to which the contemporary Mindfulness movement offers an antidote to suffering.
The contemporary Mindfulness movement can be considered Buddhist because it aims to alleviate suffering. Buddhism teaches that suffering is caused by the free fires/poisons. An effect of mindfulness is that the mind is focused and calmed in order that these three might be removed.
The contemporary Mindfulness movement is simply a form of mindlessness i.e. escaping from the human condition rather than facing its reality in terms of the three lakshanas. The fact that the contemporary Mindfulness movement finds ready acceptance in the world of business and education indicates that it is concerned mainly with helping to calm people and make them more productive rather than deal with their pain. Therefore it is not Buddhist nor does it alleviate suffering.
Although it can be used negatively for escapism, it isn’t always and furthermore traditional Buddhism can also be used for escapism. The contemporary Mindfulness movement has been scientifically proven to help in cases of addiction and areas related to palliative health care, showing that it offers an antidote to suffering. Since the contemporary Mindfulness movement is overall an excellent mechanism for removing the three fires/poisons, it should be seen as Buddhist.
Arguably the contemporary Mindfulness movement does not really uproot the three fires/poisons, however. It serves only as a temporary treatment of the suffering which is a symptom of the three fires/poisons, rather than as an antidote which addresses tanha; the causes of suffering, like traditional Buddhism does. Suffering is just postponed and not properly addressed.
The contemporary Mindfulness movement may offer an antidote to suffering through its focus on detachment from external stimuli and desires. This would correspond with tackling the cause of suffering as revealed in the second Noble Truth: tanha.
It is no more and no less helpful in being an antidote to suffering than any other type of self-help therapy ranging from self-hypnosis to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.
At some levels suffering is caused by ‘the monkey’ mind asking the same type of questions in the Parable of the Poisoned Arrow. The contemporary Mindfulness movement aims to bring quietness and stillness to the overly active questioning mind.