Meditation : definition
This text is an extract from the book La Méditation, ça m’énaaaaaaarve! by Josée Marie-Lise Robillard.
Mindfulness
Minfulness is the quality of awareness that arises when a person voluntarily, intentionally turns their mind towards the “here and now”. In other words, mindfulness is attention directed to the experience lived and experienced without filter, judgement or expectation at the very moment the experience is lived. Mindfulness has an instantaneous and simultaneous nature.
The expressions “mindfulness” and “awareness” are generally seen as synonyms.
Meditation
The word meditation comes from the latin term meditari which comes from dederi.
It is interesting to know that the word dederi means “to care of…” and that meditation is used to take care of oneself.
Reflective meditation
Reflective meditation involves long, deep thinking. This is a demanding way of thinking that requires great attention, because the approach is intended to be analytical. In fact, this mental action consists of thinking without distorting.
Contemplative meditation
In this case, we want to “simply observe what is.” This action is a simple awake and sharp presence (feeling without intervening).
André Christophe affirms that it is this type of meditation which is of interest to the world of psychotherapy and neuroscience because of its healing virtues. Personally, I think this point of view is debatable and defensible. In my opinion, I think that some approaches to mindfulness are reflective. Therefore relfective meditation is also therapeutic.
Regardless, academics argue that meditation is an ill-defined concept that has several different schools and that mindfulness is only one of the most popular approaches.
My goal here is not to start a debate or argument. I don’t think that would lead anywhere constructive. In any case, my goal is not to determine who is right and who is wrong… I am only reflecting the differences of convictions.
Minfulness meditation
Still according to André Christophe, mindfulness meditation is contemplative because it returns to oneself; an awareness of one’s mind and body as they are at a specific moment.
It should be noted, however, that mindfulness can be practiced in all occupational spheres, not just during a seated or lying down meditative session.
Sources :
ANDRÉ, CHRISTOPHE. La Méditation de pleine conscience. Cerveau & Psycho, no 41, Septembre-octobre 2010.
Jean-Marie Delacroix, « Le pouvoir de la conscience dans le processus thérapeutique », Gestalt 2015/2 (n° 47), p. 135.
URL : http://www.cairn.info/revue-gestalt-2015-2-page-133.htm
Visité le : 24-01-2016
