Description
Over two millennia after its inception, mindfulness meditation has garnered a considerable
amount of attention in contemporary Western society, as revealed by its almost ubiquitous use
in clinical, counseling, educational, and corporate settings. In clinical circles, mindfulness
meditation has been consistently embedded in ???third wave? cognitive behavioral therapies
(CBT), such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behavior therapy
(DBT). Although mindfulness meditation has supposedly been ???secularized? in Western
psychology literature, remnants of its Buddhist roots may still be present, emphasizing the
???three marks of existence? (i.e., ???no-self,? ???impermanence,? and ???suffering?). For Christian
consumers of mental health services, the use of mindfulness meditation (whether ???secularized?
or explicitly Buddhist) can quickly lead to a worldview conflict, given the Christian tradition has
a much different understanding of the self, the inner world, suffering, and God?۪s role in
Christians?۪ psychological functioning. Therefore, in this workshop, we explore the Christian
meditative tradition, including both kataphatic and apophatic practices, offering a theoretical
overview, empirical support, and practical applications for Christians with repetitive negative
thinking (RNT). Since recent research has revealed that repetitive negative thinking (RNT),
including rumination and worry, is linked to emotional disorders, we discuss the results of a
recent randomized trial we conducted on a four-week Christian meditation program for adults
with repetitive negative thinking (RNT). We also offer several practical applications, including
Christian meditative practices for rumination and worry, along with directions for future
research. Ultimately, our aim is to increase Christians?۪ confidence in turning to the Christian
meditative tradition, rather than Buddhist-influenced mindfulness meditation, for interventions
on a range of psychological problems.
Presented by: Joshua Knabb, Psy.D. & Veola Vazquez, Ph.D.
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
- Articulate the theoretical foundations of, current research support for, and practical applications of Christian meditation as an intervention for repetitive negative thinking (RNT)
- Compare and contrast the similarities and differences between mindfulness and Christian versions of meditation for repetitive negative thinking (RNT)
- Identify areas for future research on the use of Christian meditation for Christians with psychological problems in clinical, counseling, and church settings
