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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 31

Doing Mode of Mind Being Mode of Mind

1. Automatic Pilot 1. Conscious Choice
2. Analyzing 2. Sensing
3. Striving 3. Accepting

4. Seeing thoughts as solid & real 4. Seeing thoughts as mental events
5. Avoidance 5. Approaching
6. Mental time travel 6. In present moment
7. Depleting activities 7. Nourishing activities

Mindfulness is just one of the many psychological In Buddhism, it is explained that there are two
interventions available to treat someone with mental types of meditation: samatha (tranquil) and
illness. Thus, mental health professionals themselves vipassana (insight). Are they the same as secular
firstly need to be very aware and mindful in their mindfulness meditation?
assessment of their mentally ill client’s conditions
before deciding which intervention will be the most Yes, in my own journey of learning how to practice
helpful. It’s also important that we all realise that for and how to teach others secular mindfulness
someone who is mentally ill, their ability to be aware (following the official modules of Mindfulness-based
of their own mind varies and thus professionals Cognitive Therapy and Mindful Self-Compassion),
really need skilful assessment to find out whether both aspects of tranquil and insight are within the
this person who is mentally ill can benefit from secular mindfulness practices.
certain mindfulness-based practices as mindfulness
is not just a “one practice/exercise” approach. In Buddhism there is both Right Mindfulness and
Wrong Mindfulness. In your work as a psychologist

It has been observed that unfortunately there are what would you regard as wrong mindfulness?
“unmindful mental health professionals” who have
gotten overexcited or over-confident, to apply Definitely what I have discussed earlier on “unmindful”
mindfulness intervention and teach their clients attitude (even bordering into unethical practice) of
mindfulness practices, even though they have only mental health professionals and also including any
attended short courses in mindfulness which may other mindfulness-based practitioners/teachers, is
not allow them to have the “right understanding” of one form of practicing “wrong mindfulness”. Another
mindfulness practices, insufficient personal practices way for us to looking right mindfulness versus wrong
(with on-going guidance and supervision from senior mindfulness is the understanding of the characteristics
teachers) as well as not having the effective teaching of the 2 modes of our mind – Doing Mode and Being
skills (it’s a different skill set that is required, in Mode/Mindful (see the chart below, sourced/adapted
practicing on your own and to teach others how to from Williams and Penman, 2011 book “Mindfulness: A
practice). Unfortunately, these “professionals” are the Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World). EH
ones causing “skepticism” towards the effectiveness
of mindfulness practices in various settings - medical,
mental health, education, workplace, etc.