The Mindfulness Forum

Is mindfulness based cognitive therapy different to budhist mindful meditation. I ask as the budhist center near me offers a class for free. Also can I get it on the NHS?

simonben wrote:
Is mindfulness based cognitive therapy different to budhist mindful meditation.

I heard that it was the same.

Hi Simonben,

Mindfulness based cognitive therapy(MBCT) combines two approaches - mindfulness meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy. So MBCT is not exactly the same as learning mindfulness meditation, but is similar. MBCT is very structured and based on scientific evidence, whereas a course in mindfulness meditation depends on what sort of teacher you get and what sort of course they've put together.

Shamash
www.LearnMindfulness.co.uk

shamash wrote:
Hi Simonben,

Mindfulness based cognitive therapy(MBCT) combines two approaches - mindfulness meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy. So MBCT is not exactly the same as learning mindfulness meditation, but is similar. MBCT is very structured and based on scientific evidence, whereas a course in mindfulness meditation depends on what sort of teacher you get and what sort of course they've put together.


Shamash,

If someone can't find a MBCT course that is close to them, what are the factors they should take into account when they are looking for a teacher in mindfulness meditation?

Thanks for your comments?

I agree with Shamash. Because I have graduate training in Psychology and have also taken mindfulness classes, I can comment on some of the differences between Mindfulness used in cognitive behavioral therapy and that taught through Buddhist centers. They will differ, like Shamash said, with mindfulness grounded in CBT being more structured and based on research. What you look for in classes offered at various centers depends on what you are hoping to get out of the class. For example, the center that offered courses close to me based their course structure off of Jon-Kabat Zin's model of mindfulness-based stress reduction. This can be very helpful in everyday life.
What I would do if I were in your position would be to request information about the program from the director or center offering the class. Ask them about how the class is structured, who influenced the structure, what is the basis of their class? I think it is simply a matter of doing the research when deciding if this course is right for you.

Some meditation centers have drop-in sessions where you can participate for free. That might give you a feel for the types of practice at a given center.

Personally, I don't do as well with Buddhist-based meditation. I've done yoga and meditation for years, and studied Buddhism to a degree and there are just some elements that I don't believe in (i.e. Reincarnation), Sometimes the more spiritual aspects of such meditation practices trip me up. Similarly with yoga; I don't believe in chakras, aside from being a model of scientific underpinnings, and at times it has made classes difficult for me if they are heavily focused on them.

Best,
-sparrowhawk