Journal article

Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation

Nicholas T Van Dam, Marieke K van Vugt, David R Vago, Laura Schmalzl, Clifford D Saron, Andrew Olendzki, Ted Meissner, Sara W Lazar, Catherine E Kerr, Jolie Gorchov, Kieran CR Fox, Brent A Field, Willoughby B Britton, Julie A Brefczynski-Lewis, David E Meyer

PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE | SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD | Published : 2018

Abstract

During the past two decades, mindfulness meditation has gone from being a fringe topic of scientific investigation to being an occasional replacement for psychotherapy, tool of corporate well-being, widely implemented educational practice, and "key to building more resilient soldiers." Yet the mindfulness movement and empirical evidence supporting it have not gone without criticism. Misinformation and poor methodology associated with past studies of mindfulness may lead public consumers to be harmed, misled, and disappointed. Addressing such concerns, the present article discusses the difficulties of defining mindfulness, delineates the proper scope of research into mindfulness practices, an..

View full abstract

Grants

Awarded by NATIONAL CENTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE


Awarded by National Center for Complementary & Integrative Health


Awarded by NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES


Awarded by NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING


Funding Acknowledgements

This article grew out of a series of conferences and workshops generously funded by the Mind and Life Institute. However, the views expressed here are those of the authors alone, collectively, and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the Mind and Life Institute nor any other organizations with which the authors are affiliated. We would further like to add that while all authors contributed to the article, it should be read as a majority consensus; not all authors strictly ascribe to all statements contained herein.