A systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) improves mental health and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) reduces the risk of depressive relapse. The review included 21 studies with at least 33 participants each. MBSR showed medium effect sizes in 11 studies compared to wait-list or treatment as usual, and was as effective as active control groups in three studies. MBCT reduced depressive relapse in two studies and was equally effective as treatment as usual or active control in two others. Limitations include a lack of active control groups and long-term follow-up in many studies.
Ontology and epistemology are interdependent. The current materialist ontology in science, paired with an empiricist epistemology focused only on outer sense experience, is insufficient to explain consciousness or anomalous cognitions. Historically, medieval science included both inner (first-person) and outer (third-person) experience. The author proposes a complementarist dual aspect model where consciousness and matter are coprimary, not derivative. This entails a broader epistemology: contemplative practice can explore consciousness to understand the deep structure of the world, complementing outward-directed science. Such a contemplative science may aid theoretical intuition and ethics.
Mindfulness is widely used and effective, but easily misunderstood in ways that limit its benefits. The concept rests on five seemingly contradictory dialectical positions: activity versus passivity, wanting versus non-wanting, changing versus non-changing, non-judging versus non-reacting, and active acceptance versus passive acceptance. Understanding these paradoxes is necessary for proper application. The article discusses practical implications and potential caveats for medical professionals.