Mindfulness A lived Experience of Existential-Phenomenological Themes

Abstract

Both the practices of mindfulness and existential-phenomenological therapy are concerned with exploring human existence. Both acknowledge change, impermanence, uncertainty, suffering/existential anxiety and death, as givens of existence. Both see self and reality as relational, without rigid or permanent substance. Both recognize the inter-related nature of body/mind, subject/object and self/other/world. Existential- phenomenological practice explores and examines the client’s lived experience of being-in-the-world with self and others through dialogue and in the immediacy of the therapeutic relationship with the therapist. Mindfulness is a dedicated contemplative practice of deeply looking into the nature of self and reality by bringing our intention to be present non- judgmentally to our unfolding experience moment by moment. Both practices have their strengths. What if the practices of mindfulness and existential-phenomenological therapy came together? Key words Mindfulness, existential-phenomenological, present, presence, attention, awareness, opening to, neither repudiating nor pursuing, being with, moment-to-moment, body/mind, inter-relational, inter-being. My biases As a mindfulness practitioner and existential-phenomenological therapist, I am struck by the similarities of the two approaches. I experience immense resonance between them. Their integration seems seamless to me within myself. While the practice of mindfulness may seem like a ‘method’ in the beginning, its dedicated practice very quickly moves from ‘method’ to a way of being in everyday life. I no longer see the difference between formal practice, and its extension into my life, and everyday living. I recognise that the value I place on this practice stems largely from my own personal experience, and the shared experience of other mindfulness practitioners. I need to be aware of how I might impose its ‘positive value’ on others. 147 Jyoti Nanda