Mindfulness Practice: In and Beyond Well-being A Phenomenological Study of the Experiences of Mindfulness in Religious and Non-religious Settings

Abstract

SUMMARY This research has explored divergent experience and understanding of mindfulness in the religious and non-religious setting, and thereby uncovered meaning of their personal and social world. The study predominantly has focused on well-being and the related essences of mindfulness practices in both religious and non-religious contexts. Therefore, the outcomes of mindfulness practices of practitioners were explored. Based on mindfulness practice, the research uniquely investigated interaction between two overlapping binaries in Norway; the religious setting and non-religious setting. The study has been conducted through qualitative research methodologies. Phenomenological research design was used to conduct the research as it relies on exploring participants’ experience. The key phenomenology was mindfulness experience. This research approach was also flexible through the collection of data in Norway through in-depth interviews. Experts in mindfulness from both religious and non-religious contexts were selected from Norway. Collected qualitative data was analysed and the results were presented through imaginary themes in order to answer to the unpacked questions through the research objectives. The research focused on both religious and non-religious settings covered by Buddhist religious experts and non-religious experts in mindfulness. Concepts such as mindfulness and well-being, believing and belonging, authenticity, secularity, and spirituality were adopted for the conceptual framework that later become related essences of the phenomenology of interest. The study underscored divergent definitions of mindfulness, its compatibility with practice, its religious and historical foundations, and the relationship between practitioners’ lived experience and the relevant literature. The research further explored the different techniques of mindfulness in religious and secular traditions. The research focused on contemporary Norwegian society by means of social interactions between religious and non-religious milieux in terms of mindfulness practice. In conclusion, the phenomenology mindfulness practice was explored through religious and non-religious mindfulness practitioners’ experiences, underpinning the essences which are relevant to their experiences.