Mindfulness and Buddhism: Contributions of Buddhist philosophical and religious teachings to the fields of psychology and education

This article discusses contributions of Eastern philosophical traditions, in particular, Buddhism and its concept of mindfulness—to the field of psychology. Psychology has long dealt with the concept of mindfulness to understand the results of meditation in several contexts, such as psychotherapy and education. The works of Thich Nhat Hanh on meditation and mindfulness represent one of the theoretical pillars of this discussion. Recent research on mindfulness in the field of scientific psychology provides additional links for this collaborative effort between religious tradition and science. Research on this theme inevitably leads to considerations of the ethical, moral, environmental, ecological, emotional, and spiritual dimensions involved in Buddhist traditions and in different psychological theories. These traditions and theories converge to benefit persons undergoing situations of psychological and spiritual suffering. This article concludes by sharing new possibilities of comprehending the concept and practice of mindfulness, based on writings from the Buddhist tradition that focus on its phenomenon from a broader and deeper viewpoint.