The Psycheyana: Historical Roots of Contemporary Mindfulness Practices and Future Implications for Social Work Education

Abstract

Mindfulness-based interventions are now an established component of several current psychotherapies. While these technologies come from numerous wisdom, spiritual and contemplative traditions, the developers of mindfulness programs have consistently acknowledged the predominantly Buddhist origins of these approaches. Recent authors have focused more specifically and intentionally on Buddhist principles and their utility in psychological science. This article briefly reviews some historical roots of contemporary mindfulness principles and practices from the Buddhist tradition, explores implications for social work and counselor education, and considers the possibility for psychology and psychotherapy becoming a modern vehicle for the expression of Buddhism.