Spirituality Studies 9 Phan Thi Tho et al. 2.5 Theoretical Framework: Integrating Buddhist Mindfulness and Contemporary Psychology In Buddhist tradition, particularly “Right Mindfulness” (Pi. sammā-sati), mindfulness is a disciplined practice of present-moment awareness embedded in the Noble Eightfold Path. Observing body, feelings, mind, and mental objects to cultivate insight into suffering and impermanence (Bodhi Contemporary psychology conceptualizes mindfulness through mechanisms that align with these principles. Three key processes form the integration, specifically attention regulation, emotion regulation, and meta-cognition and self-compassion. Attention Regulation. Buddhist mindfulness in the first tetrad (contemplation of the body) trains sustained, non-reactive awareness, paralleling cognitive models of attentional control. Specifically, this practice aligns with the concept of executive attention, which refers to control processes that monitor and resolve conflict among competing thoughts, feelings, and responses (Posner and Rothbart 2007, 6). Emotion Regulation. Observing feelings and mental states in the second and third tetrads (contemplation of feelings and mind) aligns with emotion regulation insofar as mindfulness trains nonjudgmental attention to present experience, which can reduce rumination and thereby support more adaptive coping with psychological distress (Hammerdahl et al. 2025, 102). Meta-Cognition and Self-Compassion. The fourth tetrad (contemplation of mental objects) fosters metacognitive awareness by observing mental phenomena and their patterns. This function closely parallels Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which increases psychological flexibility through cognitive defusion and acceptance-based processes (Hayes et al. 2012, 60–61). Furthermore, this practice nurtures self-compassion, a key mediator in reducing stress and burnout (Neff 2003; Roeser et al. 2013). Integration Model. WPRM operationalizes these Buddhist principles in a structured intervention activating empirically supported psychological mechanisms. Ethical orientation and attentional training from Buddhism complement cognitive reappraisal and emotional resilience from psychology, ameliorating burnout and improving well-being. This framework positions WPRM as a grounded approach that bridges contemplative Buddhist traditions and modern psychological science to address occupational burnout and enhance mental health. 1999; Thanissaro 2012). The sixteen steps of Ānāpānasati Sutta (MN 118) provide a structured progression for developing mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom (Dhammajoti 2008). Figure 1 Conceptual Framework (hypothesized pathways) Linking Right Mindfulness Practice Components to Psychological Processes and Outcomes Integration Model Buddhist Mindfulness • Right Mindfulness (sammā-sati) • Ānāpānasati Sutta (4 Tetrads: 16 steps) Contemporary Psychology • Attention Regulation • Emotion Regulation • Metacognition & Self-Compassion Outcomes • Burnout Amelioration Exhaustion ↓ Cynicism ↓ Professional Efficacy ↑ • Well-being Enhancement: Vitality, Engagement, Calmness
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