Mindfulness of the kindness of others

The contemplative practice of Naikan in cultural context

Datos Bibliográficos

ID2395037
AutoresC Ozawa-De Silva (0000-0003-3068-1938, Emory University, autor de correspondencia)
Año2015
Volumen52
Número4
Páginas524-542
Fecha de publicación2015-08-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaTranscultural Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1363-4615 • E-ISSN: 1461-7471
EditorialSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1363461514562922
PMID25525059
OpenAlexW2116775682
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas6
Referencias citadas25

Mindfulness in the Buddhist tradition involves a variety of practices, and contemporary secular forms of mindfulness practices, therapies, and interventions can similarly be broadened to include more of these forms. The Japanese practice of Naikan takes one mindfulness practice from the Buddhist tradition-that of recollecting the kindness of others-and asks clients to engage in this practice for 1 solid week, 15 hours per day. Difficult interpersonal relationships and a perceived lack of social support are chief sources of stress, and Japanese selfhood in particular has been described as interdependent and highly social in nature. It is unsurprising therefore that Japanese would be drawn to relational forms of practice like Naikan, and that they would find particular benefit from such practices. Recent ethnographic and survey work I have conducted at 2 Naikan centers suggests that Naikan significantly improves positive mental health, perceived connection with others, and perceived meaning in life, even up to 6 months later, thereby potentially undercutting factors contributing to depression and suicide. Naikan practice is not entirely limited to Japan, however, and its use in Europe and North America prompts us to ask about the culturally specific and universal aspects of mindfulness practices, and how we may construct mindfulness interventions that are best suited for addressing the mental health problems that face our communities

Aesthetics · Contemplation · Epistemology · Kindness · Mindfulness · Psychoanalysis · Psychotherapist · Education and Islamic Studies · History · Indian and Buddhist Studies · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Philosophy · Psychology