Neural Buddhism and Christian mindfulness in medicine

Abstract

In recent years, interest in mindfulness practices has swept through the medical community as mounting regulations increase burnout and challenge physicians’ roles, responsibilities, and work-life balance. Despite its modern resurgence, several mindfulness practices have their roots in Buddhist tradition and manuscripts dating hundreds of years after Buddha’s death. In the West, another variant of mindfulness proceeds from the Christian tradition emphasizing spiritual reflection on biblical teachings and God’s interactions. With scientific advancements unearthing the neurological mechanisms involved in meditation and mindfulness, the medical profession has attempted to bridge the intersection between science and religion. Within this overlap, faith and spiritual practices may become an essential component for the physician-patient relationship and treatment plan. Overall, the crossing lanes between science and religion may represent a paradigm shift that merges empirical studies in medical practice with faith along with patient experience with illness towards a new understanding of the relationship between spirituality and medicine.

Keywords:

• Christianity
• medical practice
• mindfulness
• neural Buddhism

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors thank Dr. Kenneth Nugent at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center for his advice and support writing this article.