Who started mindfulness?

The concept of mindfulness has evolved from Buddhist practices into a secular approach founded on Zen principles. Literally, thousands of years old, mindfulness meditation is a practice that is helpful to multiple issues, including stress, anger, depression, anxiety, chronic pain and illness, and more. Imaging studies have demonstrated changes in the brains of those who practice mindfulness to help manage stress.

The movement of mindfulness from Eastern traditions into modern Western culture is largely due to the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn. Kabat-Zinn learned about meditation from a Zen missionary and went on to study it after benefitting from it personally. He founded Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction or MBSR at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. To create a practice that would be appealing and helpful to everyone, references to Buddhist teachings were removed from the MBSR approach regardless of their religious or spiritual views.

Framing mindfulness in scientific terms and a methodical system of practice has also made it possible for researchers to study the effects of mindfulness on practitioners and their brains. As Kabat-Zinn published research on the MBSR program, imaging studies using magnetic resonance imaging began. Scientists were able to see that the brains of people who practice mindfulness show decreased size in the portion of the brain that detects the threat initiates the stress response cycle.

Mindfulness may be a buzzword in mental health and other circles, but it is due to the merit that the practice has and the evidence that supports the claims about its helpfulness with myriad issues. If you’re interested in mindfulness practice, look for programs in your area, mindfulness-trained counselors, apps, and online programs. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s book Wherever You Go, There You Are, is a guide that discusses the value of concentration in mindfulness and contains step-by-step guidelines to beginning a mindful meditation practice.

If stress, anxiety, or other difficult emotions are difficult for you to manage, talk with your doctor or licensed counselor about those emotions. They are likely to recommend establishing a mindfulness practice and other lifestyle changes that may be helpful to you.