Anne Murphy

University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Buddhist Studies, Graduate Student

University of South Wales, Buddhist Studies, Graduate Student

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Mindfulness-Based Interventions and Fibromyalgia: A Literature Review

Australian Counselling Research Journal, 2019

Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness characterised by musculoskeletal pain, pain catastrophizing and... more Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness characterised by musculoskeletal pain, pain catastrophizing and associated sleep disturbance, depression and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness meditation training in its group counselling form has been found to have a salutary effect on chronic pain as well as reduce relapse in depression. To date, there has been substantial research on the effects of mindfulness for the treatment of fibromyalgia, however the outcomes have been inconsistent. Therefore, this literature review summarised the most recent research and their findings, as well as discusses the mechanisms of mindfulness in the treatment of chronic pain and depression. In general, there are current issues in reaching conclusive evidence on the efficacy of mindfulness for fibromyalgia due to the lack of robustness in the research methodology, small sample sizes, inconsistencies in the mindfulness programs and the inherent heterogeneity of the illness. A consistent and standardised mindfulness meditation program specifically tailored for the treatment of fibromyalgia is still required.

format_quoteSystematic review found small effects of mindfulness on quality of life and pain in fibromyalgia; more robust trials needed.format_quote

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The Ten Kinds of Equanimity (Upekkhā)

Upekkhā has been translated from Pali as " hedonic neutrality or indifference, " the " zero point... more Upekkhā has been translated from Pali as " hedonic neutrality or indifference, " the " zero point between joy and sorrow, " and " disinterestedness, neutral feeling, equanimity. " In Buddhist philosophy, equanimity (upekkhā) is most typically recognised as one of the four brahma-vihāras (also mettā, karuṇā, and muditā). In meditation practice, equanimity is also commonly known as the faculty most prominent when experiencing the fourth jhāna. However, in the commentaries of the Atthasālinī and the Visuddhimagga, Bhikkhu Buddhaghosa defines equanimity in ten different ways. These ten kinds of equanimity are: a) six-factored equanimity, b) equanimity as a brahma-vihāra, c) equanimity as an enlightenment factor, d) equanimity of energy, e) equanimity about formations, f) equanimity as a feeling, g) equanimity about insight, h) equanimity as specific neutrality, i) equanimity of jhāna, j) equanimity of purification. This article will discuss each of these ten kinds of equanimity in detail, sourced from the canonical literature, for a multifaceted understanding of the faculty of equanimity. This discussion raises the question why, in both commentaries, Bhikkhu Buddhaghosa placed such an emphasis on equanimity as a faculty to be cultivated. It is proposed here that it is because, according to the Cūḷahatthipadopama Sutta, the faculties of mindfulness and equanimity were most predominant in his mind when the Buddha comprehended the three knowledges and became fully enlightened. Thus, while the mental practice of equanimity, in general, might be considered uninteresting, with some reading of the canonical literature, equanimity may be appreciated as a deeply profound and beautiful state of mind with multiple facets in its application.

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Mindfulness-based Therapy in Modern Psychology: Convergence and Divergence from Early Buddhist Thought

This article offers a comparative analysis on mindfulness from mindfulness-based therapies in the... more This article offers a comparative analysis on mindfulness from mindfulness-based therapies in the contemporary literature and from Buddhist meditation practices in the Pāli Canon. This includes a review of the presiding definitions of mindfulness, recent scientific findings in the literature and the current theories on the underlying mechanisms of mindfulness. The meditation practices from the Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme are compared to the origins of mindfulness of breathing meditations from the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta (MN 10). Further, recent research into the cultivation of skilful states of mind including compassion, self-compassion, loving-kindness, equanimity and
sympathetic joy are reviewed and compared to an anthology of texts from the Pāli Canon. Ethical issues emerging from the convergence of science and Buddhist philosophy are also discussed for further consideration.

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