Specific types of "mindfulness practices" including Zen meditation have
demonstrated benefits for patients with certain physical and mental
health problems, according to a report in the July Journal of Psychiatric Practice.
"An extensive review of therapies that include meditation as a key
component -- referred to as mindfulness-based practices -- shows
convincing evidence that such interventions are effective in the
treatment of psychiatric symptoms and pain, when used in combination
with more conventional therapies," according to Dr William R. Marchand
of the George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the
University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
Mindfulness Techniques Show Health Benefits Dr Marchand reviewed
published studies evaluating the health benefits of mindfulness-based
practices. Mindfulness has been described as "the practice of learning
to focus attention on moment-by-moment experience with an attitude of
curiosity, openness, and acceptance." Put another way, "Practicing
mindfulness is simply experiencing the present moment, without trying to
change anything."
The review focused on three techniques:
• Zen meditation, a Buddhist spiritual practice that involves the
practice of developing mindfulness by meditation, typically focusing on
awareness of breathing patterns.
• Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), a secular method of
using Buddhist mindfulness, combining meditation with elements of yoga
and education about stress and coping strategies.
• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), which combines MBSR
with principles of cognitive therapy (for example, recognizing and
disengaging from negative thoughts) to prevent relapse of depression.
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