Post by Admin on May 25, 2016 9:29:43 GMT -5
Great discussion of this subject from Oxford Mindfulness Centre, UK. Here's link to original article:
www.oxfordmindfulness.org/is-mindfulness-safe/
Conclusion & Key Points:
www.oxfordmindfulness.org/is-mindfulness-safe/
Conclusion & Key Points:
Finally, participants in any form of mindfulness practice should remember three crucial points:
First, mindfulness is not intended to be a blissful experience. Like exercise, it can be uncomfortable. In fact, mindfulness is about learning to recognise, allow and be with all of our experiences, whether pleasant, unpleasant or neutral, so that we can begin to exercise choices and responsiveness in our lives.
Second, mindfulness practice is not a panacea. It’s not the only way to reduce stress or increase wellbeing, nor is it right for everyone. People should select an approach that matches their interests and needs, whether it be mindfulness, physical exercise, cognitive-behavioural therapy or some other approach.
Third, mindfulness practice is intended to be invitational and empirical. Participants are invited to experiment with the practices in an open-minded and curious way and to be guided by the evidence of their own experience, continuing with practices that seem helpful and letting go of those that don’t.
Over the last 50 years, research on physical exercise has provided a large body of knowledge about the likely benefits, the types of exercise best suited to people with particular conditions, the risks of different forms of exercise for different people, and how to minimize the risks. The result is a strong consensus across numerous medical authorities that most people will be healthier if they exercise in particular ways and with care. The mindfulness field has not reached this level of consensus because the research base is not yet sufficiently developed. We need more study of how to match the intensity of the practices to the vulnerability of the participants. We also need clearer information about the risks of mindfulness practices, how to minimize the risks, and how to train teachers to help participants manage the inevitable difficulties. As the field progresses, these questions should be a high priority for research on the effects of mindfulness training.
Ruth Baer & Willem Kuken
First, mindfulness is not intended to be a blissful experience. Like exercise, it can be uncomfortable. In fact, mindfulness is about learning to recognise, allow and be with all of our experiences, whether pleasant, unpleasant or neutral, so that we can begin to exercise choices and responsiveness in our lives.
Second, mindfulness practice is not a panacea. It’s not the only way to reduce stress or increase wellbeing, nor is it right for everyone. People should select an approach that matches their interests and needs, whether it be mindfulness, physical exercise, cognitive-behavioural therapy or some other approach.
Third, mindfulness practice is intended to be invitational and empirical. Participants are invited to experiment with the practices in an open-minded and curious way and to be guided by the evidence of their own experience, continuing with practices that seem helpful and letting go of those that don’t.
Over the last 50 years, research on physical exercise has provided a large body of knowledge about the likely benefits, the types of exercise best suited to people with particular conditions, the risks of different forms of exercise for different people, and how to minimize the risks. The result is a strong consensus across numerous medical authorities that most people will be healthier if they exercise in particular ways and with care. The mindfulness field has not reached this level of consensus because the research base is not yet sufficiently developed. We need more study of how to match the intensity of the practices to the vulnerability of the participants. We also need clearer information about the risks of mindfulness practices, how to minimize the risks, and how to train teachers to help participants manage the inevitable difficulties. As the field progresses, these questions should be a high priority for research on the effects of mindfulness training.
Ruth Baer & Willem Kuken