Mindfulness in Positive Psychology: The Science of Meditation and Wellbeing

359 Pages·2016·29.58 MB·English

by  Itai Ivtzan

MINDFULNESS IN POSITIVE
PSYCHOLOGY
Mindfulness in Positive Psychology brings together the latest thinking in these two impor-
tant disciplines. Positive psychology, the science of wellbeing and strengths, is the fastest
growing branch of psychology, offering an optimal home for the research and applica-
tion of mindfulness. As we contemplate mindfulness in the context of positive psychol-
ogy, meaningful insights are being revealed in relation to our mental and physical health.
The book features chapters from leading figures from mindfulness and positive
psychology, offering an exciting combination of topics. Mindfulness is explored
in relation to flow, meaning, parenthood, performance, sports, obesity, depression,
pregnancy, spirituality, happiness, mortality and many other ground-breaking topics.
This is an invitation to rethink about mindfulness in ways that truly expand our
understanding of wellbeing.
Mindfulness in Positive Psychology will appeal to a readership of students and prac-
titioners, as well as those interested in mindfulness, positive psychology or other rel-
evant areas such as education, healthcare, clinical psychology, counselling psychology,
occupational psychology and coaching. The book explores cutting-edge theories,
research and practical exercises, which will be relevant to all people interested in this
area, and particularly those who wish to enhance their wellbeing via mindfulness.
Itai Ivtzan is a positive psychologist, a senior lecturer and the program leader of MAPP
(Masters in Applied Positive Psychology) at the University of East London (UEL). His
research areas are mindfulness, meditation, spirituality and wellbeing. In addition to
many journal papers and book chapters, he is the author of several books and the lead-
ing author of Second Wave Positive Psychology: Embracing the Dark Side of Life.
Tim Lomas is a lecturer at the University of East London, where he is the associ-
ate programme leader for the MSc in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching
Psychology. He has published numerous peer-reviewed papers and books in rela-
tion to mindfulness, including a monograph based on his PhD, entitled Masculinity,
Meditation, and Mental Health.
“The integration of mindfulness and positive psychology could greatly enhance
our understanding of these two related fields. This book provides a comprehen-
sive discussion of mindfulness, wellbeing, happiness, flow, meaning and purpose
in a wide range of populations and settings. It sheds helpful new light on how the
understanding of mindfulness can enhance the study of wellbeing, and how positive
psychology can enhance the study of mindfulness.”
—Dr Ruth Baer, Author of Mindfulness-based Treatment Approaches
“This book comes at a time when practitioners and patients alike, are seeking self-
management tools that can infiltrate and provide positive interventions into what
can appear as an overwhelming sense of despair in our modern world. Ivtzan and
Lomas have pulled together contributors from a variety of backgrounds, to trace
mindfulness from its historically grounded Buddhist philosophical roots through
to its practical application in a wide variety of therapeutic endeavours. The useful
instructional elements of the chapters makes the book multifaceted, so it could
be used to learn more about the attributes and enabling factors of a mindfulness
approach, whether as a manager, educator, practitioner, or as an individual wanting
to claim back their life in full technicolour high definition, without any electronic
stimulus outside of their own beautiful minds.”
—Professor Sally Hardy, Head of Mental Health and Learning
Disabilities, London South Bank University
“What unique angle does positive psychology offer to mindfulness research? In
this book the authors organized varied chapters to address this important question.
Some of the world’s leading authors, researchers and scholars of mindfulness have
been willing to explore mindfulness in relation to different aspects of positive psy-
chology, and have contributed their insights to this inspiring book”
—Professor Yi-Yuan Tang, Texas Tech University, USA
MINDFULNESS IN
POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
The Science of Meditation
and Wellbeing
Edited by Itai Ivtzan and Tim Lomas
First published 2016
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2016 selection and editorial matter, Itai Ivtzan and Tim Lomas; individual
chapters, the contributors
The right of the editors to be identified as the author of the editorial
material, and of the authors for their individual chapters, has been asserted
in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation
without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Ivtzan, Itai, editor. | Lomas, Tim, 1979- editor.
Title: Mindfulness in positive psychology : the science of meditation and
wellbeing / Itai Ivtzan, Tim Lomas, [editors].
Description: Abingdon, Oxon ; NewYork, NY : Routledge, 2016.
Identifiers: LCCN 2015039176 | ISBN 9781138808454 (hbk) | ISBN
9781138808515 (pbk) | ISBN 9781315747217 (ebk)
Subjects: LCSH: Positive psychology. | Mindfulness (Psychology) |
Meditation
ISBN: 978-1-138-80845-4 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-80851-5 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-74721-7 (ebk)
Typeset in Bembo
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
Itai Ivtzan would like to dedicate this book to Netta Uli Ivtzan
for her limitless acceptance, zen-like being and deep love. You rock
baby.
Tim Lomas would like to dedicate this book to Katie Battle
Lomas for her ever-inspiring love, kindness and support.
We would like to thank the authors who contributed chapters to
this book – thank you for your exciting and meaningful work.
Finally, we send deep gratitude to Tarli Young, who edited this
book with great dedication and sensitivity.
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CONTENTS
Mindfulness in positive psychology: An introduction 1
Itai Ivtzan
PART I
Positive psychology interventions 13
1 Mindfulness-based strengths practice (MBSP) for
enhancing well-being, managing problems, and boosting
positive relationships 15
Ryan M. Niemiec and Judith Lissing
2 Self-compassion: Embracing suffering with kindness 37
Kristin Neff and Oliver Davidson
3 Mindful parenting begins at the beginning: Potential
benefits of perinatal meditation training for family well-being 51
Catherine Shaddix and Larissa G. Duncan
4 Mindfulness and performance 64
Amy L. Baltzell
5 The relevance of mindful eating for addressing youth obesity 80
Jeanne Dalen
viii Contents
PART II
Positive theory and mechanisms of mindfulness 95
6 Mindfulness: The essence of well-being and happiness 97
Christelle T. Ngnoumen and Ellen J. Langer
7 Mindfulness, mental health, and positive psychology 108
Shauna Shapiro, Sarah de Sousa, and Hooria Jazaieri
8 Mortality and mindfulness: How intense encounters with
death can generate spontaneous mindfulness 126
Steven Taylor
9 Flowing with mindfulness: Investigating the relationship
between flow and mindfulness 141
Sue Jackson
10 Additional mechanisms of mindfulness: How does
mindfulness increase wellbeing? 156
Tarli Young
PART III
Mindfulness for health practitioners and carers 173
11 Contemplative pedagogy and nursing education 175
Anne Bruce and Betty Poag
12 Mindfulness-Based Medical Practice: Eight weeks
en route to wellness 193
Patricia Lynn Dobkin
13 Mindfulness-based positive behavior support in intellectual
and developmental disabilities 212
Nirbhay N. Singh, Giulio E. Lancioni, Ramasamy Manikam,
Larry L. Latham, and Monica M. Jackman
14 Working it: Making meaning with workplace mindfulness 228
Michael F. Steger and Eve Ekman
Contents ix
PART IV
Mindfulness in spirituality 243
15 Mindfulness and spirituality in positive youth development 245
Eleanor F. Cobb, Clayton H. McClintock, and Lisa J. Miller
16 Nourishment from the roots: Engaging with the Buddhist
foundations of mindfulness 265
Tim Lomas
17 Mindfulness and wellbeing: Towards a unified operational
approach 280
Edo Shonin, William Van Gordon, and Mark D. Griffiths
PART V
Mindful therapy 293
18 Mindfulness and person-centred therapy 295
Stephen Joseph, David Murphy and Tom G. Patterson
19 Beyond mindfulness: The power of self-compassion,
purpose, play, and confidence in the clinical treatment of
the depressed client 308
Elisha Goldstein
20 Mindfulness yoga in pregnancy: A promising positive
treatment augmentation for women experiencing
depression or anxiety 321
Maria M. Muzik and Susan E. Hamilton
Index 341