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Moving Beyond Mindfulness: Defining Equanimity as an Outcome Measure in Meditation and Contemplative Research
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Abstract
In light of a growing interest in contemplative practices such as meditation, the emerging field of contemplative science has been challenged to describe and objectively measure how these practices affect health and well-being. While “mindfulness” itself has been proposed as a measurable outcome of contemplative practices, this concept encompasses multiple components, some of which, as we review here, may be better characterized as equanimity. Equanimity can be defined as an even-minded mental state or dispositional tendency toward all experiences or objects, regardless of their origin or their affective valence (pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral). In this article, we propose that equanimity be used as an outcome measure in contemplative research. We first define and discuss the inter-relationship between mindfulness and equanimity from the perspectives of both classical Buddhism and modern psychology and present existing meditation techniques for cultivating equanimity. We then review psychological, physiological, and neuroimaging methods that have been used to assess equanimity either directly or indirectly. In conclusion, we propose that equanimity captures potentially the most important psychological element in the improvement of well-being, and therefore should be a focus in future research studies.
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“However, equanimity items captured present focus, acceptance and an optimistic approach, all of which represent either part or peripheral aspects of equanimity and do not capture its entirety, missing the central concept of non-reactivity which is proposed by Hadash et al. (2016) and others (Cayoun 2011; Desbordes et al. 2015; Hart 1987).”
From Development and Validation of the Equanimity Scale-16 (2021) · cites this paper as Desbordes et al. 2015
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“Paying attention mindfully is proposed to facilitate disengagement from an emotion-provoking stimulus by attenuating the peak amplitude and speeding up recovery, thereby decreasing the overall emotional response [9].”
From Self-Reported Trait Mindfulness and Affective Reactivity: A Motivational Approach Using Multiple Psychophysiological Measures (2015) · cites this paper as [9]
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“equanimity is suggested to be an important mechanism in these interventions (Cayoun 2011; Desbordes et al. 2015).”
From Development and Validation of the Equanimity Scale-16 (2021) · cites this paper as Desbordes et al. 2015
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“The two factors identified in the present study are also consistent with existing conceptualizations of equanimity (Desbordes et al. 2015; Hadash et al. 2016; Hart 1987).”
From Development and Validation of the Equanimity Scale-16 (2021) · cites this paper as Desbordes et al. 2015
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“Thus, mindfulness is thought to facilitate the development of dispositional nonreactivity [9].”
From Self-Reported Trait Mindfulness and Affective Reactivity: A Motivational Approach Using Multiple Psychophysiological Measures (2015) · cites this paper as [9]
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“One suggested mechanism is that mindfulness facilitates disengagement from an affective stimulus and thereby decreases affective reactivity.”
From Self-Reported Trait Mindfulness and Affective Reactivity: A Motivational Approach Using Multiple Psychophysiological Measures (2015) · cites this paper as [9]
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“In line with this, authors such as Desbordes and colleagues [9] have suggested moving beyond mindfulness to focus on the outcomes of mindfulness practice, such as the development of equanimity.”
From Self-Reported Trait Mindfulness and Affective Reactivity: A Motivational Approach Using Multiple Psychophysiological Measures (2015) · cites this paper as [9]
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“Equanimity is characterized as a stable quality developed through mindfulness practice, and therefore may be a more fruitful trait-level outcome variable.”
From Self-Reported Trait Mindfulness and Affective Reactivity: A Motivational Approach Using Multiple Psychophysiological Measures (2015) · cites this paper as [9]
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“In contrast to signifying passivity, we suggest NRE, as conceptualized in the FFMQ-SF, reflects an attitude of nonavoidance with equanimity, defined as even-minded responsiveness to mental phenomena, unswayed by associated emotional valences [67].”
From Mindful Nonreactivity, Anxiety, Depression, and Perceived Stress as Mediators of the Mindfulness Virtual Community Intervention—Pathways to Enhance Mental Health in University Students: Secondary Evaluation of Two Randomized Controlled Trials With Student Participants (2025) · cites this paper as [67]
In the citing paper
“there is evidence to suggest that attention monitoring skills begin to improve more immediately after practice, while acceptance may take longer to cultivate (Baer, Carmody, & Hunsinger, 2012; Desbordes et al., 2015).”
From Mechanisms of mindfulness training: Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT (2017) · cites this paper as Desbordes et al., 2015
In the citing paper
“With long-term practice, though, as acceptance becomes a more automatic response and less effortful regulation of emotion is necessary, the neural correlates of acceptance may change, involving changes in resting state functional connectivity (cf. Brewer et al., 2011; Desbordes et al., 2015).”
From Mechanisms of mindfulness training: Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT (2017) · cites this paper as Desbordes et al., 2015
In the citing paper
“practicing an accepting stance toward emotional experiences may both reduce amygdala activation and quicken amygdala recovery, corresponding with emotion regulatory ability (Desbordes et al., 2015).”
From Mechanisms of mindfulness training: Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT (2017) · cites this paper as Desbordes et al., 2015
In the citing paper
“The present study also helps to address recent calls to examine the construct of equanimity as an outcome in research on mindfulness (Desbordes et al., 2015) by focusing on emotionally-even responding to stressors and examining the time-course of stress response by including repeated measures of emotional distress to assess change following exposure to stressful experiences.”
From Dispositional Mindfulness Uncouples Physiological and Emotional Reactivity to a Laboratory Stressor and Emotional Reactivity to Executive Functioning Lapses in Daily Life (2016) · cites this paper as Desbordes et al., 2015
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Items 201–300 of 504
Bowles, N. I., & Van Dam, N. T. (2025) · Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being · doi:10.1111/aphw.70063 · Cited by 14
“Such measures may include equanimity, decentering, and compassion, all of which are considered normative within classical religious traditions such as Buddhism (Desbordes et al., 2014).”
Morris, K. L., Kimmes, J. G., & Marroquin, C. G. (2022) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075221128502 · Cited by 13
Tobias, J. M. (2023) · Journal of Consumer Affairs · doi:10.1111/joca.12543 · Cited by 14
Sun, S., Luo, C., Zeng, X., & Wu, Q. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1295242 · Cited by 13
“In contrast, PoM facilitates a more receptive and objective perception of experiences by adopting an attitude that neither resists nor clings to emotions or situations (Desbordes et al., 2015).”
BackgroundDispositional mindfulness, nonattachment, and experiential avoidance in the interpersonal circumplex
Deits‐Lebehn, C., Smith, T. W., Grove, J. L., Williams, P., & Uchino, B. N. (2019) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2019.109522 · Cited by 13
Barabino, M., Piccolo, G., Tosi, D., Masserano, R., Santambrogio, R., Guglielmo, P., Cigala, C., Luigiano, C., Codecà, C., Daris, F., et al. (2020) · Medical Oncology · doi:10.1007/s12032-020-01388-4 · Cited by 13
Jijina, P., & Biswas, U. N. (2021) · Mental Health Religion & Culture · doi:10.1080/13674676.2021.1952970 · Cited by 14
Popular Conceptions of Mindfulness: Awareness and Emotional Control
Hitchcock, P. F., Martin, L., Fischer, L., Marando-Blanck, S., & Herbert, J. D. (2016) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-016-0533-9 · Cited by 15
Lundgren, O., Garvin, P., Kristenson, M., Jonasson, L., & Thylén, I. (2018) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-018-0252-1 · Cited by 16
“This skill might also take longer time to cultivate than the intentional- and attentional facets [19].”
Lyall, K., Mikocka‐Walus, A. A., Evans, S., & Cummins, R. A. (2021) · Review of General Psychology · doi:10.1177/10892680211017523 · Cited by 16
Stop the spin: The role of mindfulness practices in reducing affect spin.
Hulsheger, U. R., Yang, T., Bono, J. E., Goh, Z. W. C., & Ilieș, R. (2022) · Journal of Occupational Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/ocp0000332 · Cited by 12
“Accordingly, mindfulness practice should increase equanimity (Desbordes et al., 2015) and promote an “even-keeled emotional life” (Brown & Ryan, 2003, p. 839).”
Segal, O., Sher, H., Aderka, I. M., & Weinbach, N. (2023) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2023.104303 · Cited by 13
Joss, D., Teicher, M. H., & Lazar, S. W. (2024) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-024-02439-x · Cited by 14
“It was pointed out that longer meditation practices could be challenging to novices because novices were more susceptible to mind-wandering during longer practices (Desbordes et al., 2015).”
Self-citationYimeng, W. A. N. G., ZHANG, J., Wang, F., Wentao, X. U., & Weiting, L. I. U. (2022) · Acta Psychologica Sinica · doi:10.3724/sp.j.1041.2023.00626 · Cited by 12
“…向他人建议或代他人决策确实表现出较少违背理性决策原则的现象，正契合“当局者迷，旁 观者清”的中国传统智慧(刘翠翠 等，2013)。有学者在智慧领域验证了“所罗门悖论” (Solomon Paradox)，即有些个体对于他人所遇到的难题可以给出明智建议，却无法智慧地处 理自身所遇到的难题(Grossmann & Kross , 2014; 魏新东，汪凤炎，2021)，表现为“自我-他 人”的智慧不对称性。这提示了观点采择(perspective-taking)对于智慧决策的重要性。观点采…”
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Folch, A., Gasol, L., Heredia, L., Vicens, P., & Torrente, M. (2021) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-021-02572-z · Cited by 21
Validation and Confirmation of the Equanimity Scale-16 in India and its Relationship with Well-Being
Verma, S., & Garg, N. (2024) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-024-02318-5 · Cited by 12
“Desbordes et al. (2015) pointed out unidimensional contemporary conceptualization of mindfulness that accounts only acceptance to (pleasant and unpleasant) experiences.”
Burić, I., Žderić, L., Onicas, A. I., Kolanović, M., & Collin, G. (2024) · International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.ijchp.2024.100507 · Cited by 13
“” (Desbordes et al., 2015) “… equanimity as the decoupling of desire (wanting and not wanting) from the hedonic tone of current or anticipated experience (pleasant and unpleasant) … equanimity is manifested by an intentional attitude of acceptance toward experience regardless of its hedonic tone,…”
BackgroundPang, Y., Tse, B., Liu, W., & Yang, Q. (2024) · Cognitive Processing · doi:10.1007/s10339-024-01246-5 · Cited by 13
“…toward all experiences and objects regardless of their affective valence, which to some extent signifies how people react to emotionally charged situations, indicating whether or not they need to regulate their emotions (Barrett and Gross 2001; Desbordes et al. 2014; Schwerdtfeger et al. 2019).”
Schmitt, J., Pauknerová, D., Arbet, P., & Tarasová, O. V. (2025) · Journal of Workplace Learning · doi:10.1108/jwl-10-2024-0225 · Cited by 16
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A Network Modeling Approach to Mindfulness Mechanisms: a Proof-of-Concept Investigation
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Operationalising equanimity in clinical practice: A mindful approach
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Barnes, C., & Mongrain, M. (2019) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2019.1651891 · Cited by 11
“Recent research into the benefits of mindfulness meditation has referred to ‘equanimity’ as ‘an even-minded mental state’ (Desbordes et al., 2015).”
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Nature, Assessment, and Mechanisms of Mindfulness
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“” A good meditator witnesses all experiences regardless of their nature or valency (pleasant, unpleasant).[24] There are many techniques in meditation.”
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Meditation and Complexity: a Systematic ReviewPreprint
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Organizational change: insights from Buddhism and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy(ACT)
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“Equanimity is essentially a type of radical acceptance and allows the cognitive and behavioral flexibility necessary for psychological health to develop (Desbordes et al. 2015; Kashdan and Rottenberg 2010; Moore and Malinowski 2009).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialGao, J., Leung, H. K., Fan, J., Wu, B. W. Y., & Sik, H. H. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.891656 · Cited by 10
“For example, cognitive reappraisal can be used in the cognitive change stage (Zilverstand et al., 2017; Dryman and Heimberg, 2018).”
MethodTreves, I. N., Yang, W. F. Z., Sparby, T., & Sacchet, M. D. (2024) · Network Neuroscience · doi:10.1162/netn_a_00432 · Cited by 13
“…may lead to changes in states of consciousness (Josipovic, 2014; Timmermann et al., 2023); insight into the self and perception (Cooper et al., 2022; Giommi et al., 2023); and positive experiences of empathy, compassion, and joy (Desbordes et al., 2015; Hölzel et al., 2011; Woods et al., 2023).”
Xu, F., Zhu, W., Chen, Q., & Tang, Y. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.994205 · Cited by 12
“It is described as being receptive to and accepting of all events (Desbordes et al., 2014; Mann and Walker, 2022).”
BackgroundYıldız, M., Terzioğlu, C., & Ayhan, F. (2023) · International Journal of Nursing Knowledge · doi:10.1111/2047-3095.12423 · Cited by 10
“MindfulnessisaconceptderivingfromBuddhisttraditions(Desbordes et al., 2014) and involves active participation through the awareness of the individual’s experience at the present moment (Creswell, 2017).”
Ninivaggi, F. (2020) · Learned Mindfulness · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-816484-6.00006-3 · Cited by 2
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Predictive Validity and Response Shift in the Equanimity Scale-16
Shires, A., Osborne, S., Cayoun, B. A., Williams, E., & Rogers, K. (2023) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-023-02257-7 · Cited by 8
“There is evidence to suggest that in clinical practice equa-nimity holds an important role in the benefits of mindfulness (Francis et al., 2022) and is a promising target for clinical outcome measures (Desbordes et al., 2015).”
Smyth, A. P. J., Juneau, C., Hong, S., Ilagan, M. J., & Knaüper, B. (2024) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-024-02338-1 · Cited by 10
“…simply observe the experience of anger without getting caught up in it or shying away from it, potentially resulting in a less intense or more transient emotional experience as well as more adaptive behavioural responses (see Desbordes et al., 2015, for a more elaborate illustrative example).”
InfluentialGallardo, L. M., & Chetri, S. (2026) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs16030395 · Cited by 9
“Equanimity refers to a state of emotional balance and non-reactivity, often described as “even-mindedness” in Buddhist psychology (Desbordes et al., 2015).”
GAMBARAN TERAPI SPIRITUAL PADA PASIEN SKIZOFRENIA : LITERATUR REVIEW
Triyani, F. A., Dwidiyanti, M., & Suerni, T. (2019) · Jurnal Ilmu Keperawatan Jiwa · doi:10.32584/jikj.v2i1.250 · Cited by 9
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Shireen, H., Milad, J. M., Dor‐Ziderman, Y., & Knaüper, B. (2024) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-023-02267-5 · Cited by 9
Overcoming Automaticity Through Meditation
Maran, T. K., Woznica, M., Moder, S., Furtner, M. R., Jehle, E., Hörner, S., & Hugger, G. (2021) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-021-01749-8 · Cited by 12
“Lastly, the conceptualization of OM meditation as non-judgemental awareness of present-moment experiences does not incorporate an ethical dimension, which is important in the traditional technique (Ditrich, 2017; Monteiro et al., 2015; Nilsson & Kazemi, 2016).”
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Positive and Negative Emotions and Nonattachment in Vietnamese Buddhists
Nguyen, H. T. M., & Nguyen, H. V. (2018) · Asian Journal of Social Science Studies · doi:10.20849/ajsss.v3i1.324 · Cited by 8
“Buddhist concepts of healthy emotions included non-agitation, balance, peace, and happiness and equanimity (Desbordes et al., 2015; Silva, 2013).”
BackgroundMoussa, M., Elphinstone, B., Thomas, J., Hermena, E. W., Barbato, M., Whitehead, R. E., & Bates, G. W. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-021-01813-3 · Cited by 11
Cayoun, B. A. (2017) · Mindfulness in behavioral health · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-64924-5_7 · Cited by 8
Achepohl, G., Heaney, C. A., Rosas, L. G., Moore, J. B., Rich, T., & Winter, S. J. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph191610224 · Cited by 11
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Sensory neurologic disorders: Tinnitus
Chemali, Z. N., Nehme, R., & Fricchione, G. L. (2019) · Handbook of clinical neurology · doi:10.1016/b978-0-444-64012-3.00022-8 · Cited by 8
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“Research has shown the effect of mindfulness in reducing emotional reactivity (Good et al., 2016) and promoting mental calmness (Desbordes et al., 2015).”
BackgroundBlessings in Disguise: Yoga and Meditation during Corona Lockdown
Vagga, A. A., & Dhok, A. (2020) · Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences · doi:10.14260/jemds/2020/552 · Cited by 8
Somaraju, L. H., Bizo, L. A., Temple, E. C., & Cocks, B. (2021) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-021-01530-z · Cited by 10
“…equanimity, which are collectively termed brahmavihārā in the Buddhist literature, as well as empathy (e.g., Boellinghaus, Jones, & Hutton, 2014; Desbordes et al., 2015; Greason & Cashwell, 2009; Hadash, Segev, Tanay, Goldstein, & Bernstein, 2016; Hoffmann, Grossman, & Hinton, 2011; Kristellar…”
Grabovac, A. D., & Burrell, E. (2017) · Academic Psychiatry · doi:10.1007/s40596-017-0721-5 · Cited by 9
“For example, the development of equanimity, defined as bringing an equal interest to each moment of subjective experience, irrespective of its implicit affective valence (pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral), plays a key role in symptom reduction [25, 26].”
BackgroundA Test of the Association Between Mindfulness Subcomponents and Diurnal Cortisol Patterns
Manigault, A. W., Figueroa, W. S., Hollenbeck, C. R., Mendlein, A. E., Woody, A., Sinegar, S. E., Hamilton, K. R., Scanlin, M. C., Johnson, R. C., & Zoccola, P. M. (2017) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-017-0829-4 · Cited by 9
Park, C. L., & Wilt, J. A. (2024) · Journal of Research in Personality · doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2024.104499 · Cited by 7
Wang, C. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1649564 · Cited by 21
Are You Distracted by Pleasure? Practice Mindfulness Meditation
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Klein, R. J., Terry, B., & Robinson, M. D. (2023) · Anxiety Stress & Coping · doi:10.1080/10615806.2023.2274822 · Cited by 8
ENIGMA-Meditation: Worldwide Consortium for Neuroscientific Investigations of Meditation Practices
Ganesan, S., Barrios, F. A., Batta, I., Bauer, C. C. C., Braver, T. S., Brewer, J. A., Brown, K. W., Cahn, B. R., Cain, J. A., Calhoun, V. D., et al. (2024) · Biological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging · doi:10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.10.015 · Cited by 7
“For example, compassion, empathy, meta-awareness, equa-nimity, bliss, nonduality, and decentering, among others, are often considered to be essential outcomes, phenomenological dimensions, and states across different meditation practices (9,14,109,112 – 116).”
Self-citationChildhood predictors of balance in life: a cross-national analysis of the global flourishing study
Lomas, T., Padgett, R. N., Ritchie‐Dunham, J. L., Pawelski, J. O., Shiba, K., Johnson, B. R., & VanderWeele, T. J. (2025) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-89853-w · Cited by 7
How Would the Buddha Rate on Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale?
Lumma, A., Heidenreich, T., & Michalak, J. (2019) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-019-01281-w · Cited by 7
Elphinstone, B., Whitehead, R. E., & Bates, G. W. (2020) · Learning and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2020.101847 · Cited by 8
The gut-microbiome contribution to HIV-associated cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders
Chachage, M. (2021) · Current Opinion in Endocrine and Metabolic Research · doi:10.1016/j.coemr.2021.100287 · Cited by 7
Chan, K. K. S., Yip, C. C. H., & Wang, Z. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-01911-w · Cited by 7
“It involves an absence of fixation on one’s ideas or feelings (Desbordes et al., 2015).”
BackgroundPriore, L. B. D., Perez, V. O., Briani, R. V., Farinelli, L. A. L. B., da Silva, J. D. C. P., Martins, O. M. G., Lopes, F. A., Amorim, A. B., Pappas, E., & de Azevedo, F. M. (2023) · BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders · doi:10.1186/s12891-023-06491-x · Cited by 7
Winters, D. E., & Beerbower, E. (2017) · Social Work in Health Care · doi:10.1080/00981389.2017.1316341 · Cited by 7
“…of two parts 1) nonjudgment, and 2) exposure, extinction, and reconciliation) and change in the perspective of self (Brown, Ryan, & Creswell, 2007; Desbordes et al., 2015; Desrosiers, Vine, Curtiss, & Klemanski, 2014; Feldman, Lavallee, Gildawie, & Greeson, 2016; Hölzel et al., 2011; Ochsner et…”
BackgroundMindfulness, Nonattachment, and the Feeling-Action Relationship
Klein, R. J., & Robinson, M. D. (2019) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-019-01180-0 · Cited by 8
Draper-Clarke, L. (2020) · South African Journal of Higher Education · doi:10.20853/34-1-2525 · Cited by 9
“65 Understand Understanding that all beings suffer, and experience the 10,000 joys and 10,000 sorrows of a human life (Kornfield 2009) is taught in Buddhist practices through the cultivation of equanimity (DesBordes et al. 2015).”
BackgroundThe Mindful Scientist: How Meditation Could Support Ethical Scientific Practice
Berryman, K., Lin, Y., Lazar, S. W., Parra, D. C., & Bernstein, A. (2025) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-025-02646-0 · Cited by 6
“For example, equanimity might initially be viewed as a mental state or dispositional tendency that carries no moral connotations (Desbordes et al., 2015), but it closely resembles temperance in both the traditional Aristotelian (Aristotle, 2000) and modern positive psychology (Peterson & Seligman,…”
Self-citationValidez de constructo y confiabilidad del Inventario de Mindfulness y Ecuanimidad
Moscoso, M. S., Burga-León, A., Guadalupe, L. A. O., Bayona-Oré, S., & Sánchez, A. A. A. (2020) · Revista de Psicología · doi:10.18800/psico.202002.008 · Cited by 12
The pursuit of euthymia: are cultural factors relevant?
Chaturvedi, S. K., & Parameshwaran, S. (2020) · World Psychiatry · doi:10.1002/wps.20722 · Cited by 6
Enhancing compassion: Social psychological perspectives.
Condon, P., & DeSteno, D. A. (2017) · Cited by 6
Beyond Frontiers: Meditative Practice, Clinical Practice and Scientific Research
Almendro, M., & Lopez, E. (2016) · Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.4172/2161-0487.1000281 · Cited by 7
Pirbaglou, M., El Morr, C., Ahmad, F., & Ritvo, P. (2025) · JMIR Mental Health · doi:10.2196/65853 · Cited by 6
“In contrast to signifying passivity, we suggest NRE, as conceptualized in the FFMQ-SF, reflects an attitude of nonavoidance with equanimity, defined as even-minded responsiveness to mental phenomena, unswayed by associated emotional valences [67].”
Confirmation and Validation of a Chinese version of the Equanimity Scale
Xiao, Q., Xu, Y., & Hu, X. (2025) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-024-02505-4 · Cited by 5
“Theoretically, mindfulness and equanimity are two interrelated constructs that positively influence one another (Desbordes et al., 2015).”
Zeng, T.-A., Xu, M., Zhu, H., Li, F.-X., Duan, X.-F., An, W., & Yang, F.-Y. (2025) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-024-02325-0 · Cited by 10
“This assists in more rational self-control [33, 45].”
InfluentialPsychoneuroimmunology of Mindfulness: What works, how it works, and for whom?
Burić, I. (2025) · Brain Behavior & Immunity - Health · doi:10.1016/j.bbih.2025.101022 · Cited by 6
Alejandre-Lara, A. L., Canby, N. K., Wesbecher, K. D., Eichel, K., Britton, W. B., & Lindahl, J. R. (2022) · Cognitive Therapy and Research · doi:10.1007/s10608-021-10287-5 · Cited by 5
Neate, S. L., Reece, J. C., Hassed, C. S., Chambers, R., Connaughton, S., & Nag, N. (2022) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.947898 · Cited by 5
“Consistent with our study, in Buddhist contemplative training, self-control practices incorporating acceptance nurture an attitude of compassion toward oneself and others, enhancing social connectivity (52).”
BackgroundResultTransforming adversity into an ally: A qualitative study of “feeding your demons” meditation
Ekman, E., Koenig, C. J., Daubenmier, J. J., Dickson, K. G., Simmons, V., Braun, A. E., & Goldin, P. R. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.806500 · Cited by 5
“These BDIs have been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, improve emotional resilience, increase compassion and pro-social behavior, and promote overall health (Eberth and Sedlmeier, 2012; Jazaieri et al., 2013).”
BackgroundRole of mindfulness meditation as moderating variable in reducing death anxiety
Jain, G. (2023) · Mortality · doi:10.1080/13576275.2023.2230149 · Cited by 6
“As proposed by Desbordes et al. (2015, p. 356), mind-fulness ‘can be defined as an even-minded mental state or dispositional tendency towards all experiences or objects, regardless of their origin or their affective valence (pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral)’.”
Meditation: A Promising Approach for Alleviating Chronic Pain
Dubey, A., & Muley, P. A. (2023) · Cureus · doi:10.7759/cureus.49244 · Cited by 10
“Giving an experience a lot of attention, maintaining sensory clarity, and being calm are the key characteristics of a spiritual path based on mindfulness [12].”
BackgroundCan We Change Our Mind About Caring for Others? The Neuroscience of Systematic Compassion Training
Calderon, A., Ahern, T. H., & Pruzinsky, T. (2018) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-809837-0.00008-8 · Cited by 5
“Set your minds on things above”: shifting from trauma-based ruminations to ruminating on God
Knabb, J. J., Vazquez, V. E., & Pate, R. A. (2019) · Mental Health Religion & Culture · doi:10.1080/13674676.2019.1612336 · Cited by 9
“This inner contentment, in some ways, resembles mindfulness’ emphasis on equanimity, a Buddhist construct modernised in the twenty-first century psychology literature (Desbordes et al., 2015), although a major difference between the two involves the ultimate source of peace.”
BackgroundKnabb, J. J., Vazquez, V. E., & Wang, K. T. (2020) · Journal of Psychology and Theology · doi:10.1177/0091647120968146 · Cited by 5
Aspects of acceptance: building a shared conceptual understanding
Mrazek, M. D., Dow, B. R., Richelle, J., Pasch, A. M., Godderis, N., Pamensky, T. A., Rutila, B. A., & Mrazek, A. J. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1423976 · Cited by 5
Ribeyron, J., Shankland, R., Leys, C., & Duriez, N. (2025) · Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science/Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement · doi:10.1037/cbs0000430 · Cited by 4
Ramirez-Garcìa, P., Leclerc-Loiselle, J., Genest, C., Paradis-Gagné, É., Larue, C., Poitras-Crête, M., Corbeil, S., & Saseville, C. (2025) · Journal of Professional Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.12.010 · Cited by 5
Barnhill, J. L., Castro, G., Lathren, C., Harr, E. D., Roth, I., Baez, J. E., Rodríguez, R., Lawrence, S. M., Gardiner, P. M., Greco, C. M., et al. (2025) · Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health · doi:10.1177/27536130251326938 · Cited by 4
Puhlmann, L. M. C., & Engert, V. (2025) · Frontiers in Endocrinology · doi:10.3389/fendo.2025.1415081 · Cited by 5
Lyall, K., Youssef, G. J., Mikocka‐Walus, A. A., Evans, S., & Cummins, R. A. (2023) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-023-00632-8 · Cited by 4
“Mindfulness, and its outcome state, equanimity, (Desbordes et al., 2015) could play a role to support SWB homeostasis.”
BackgroundMer, A., & Virdi, A. S. (2023) · Emerald Group Publishing Limited eBooks · doi:10.1108/s1569-37592023000111b006 · Cited by 4
Liu, C., Lin, L.-J., Zhang, K., Liu, T.-H., & Chiou, W. (2025) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare13101213 · Cited by 7
“By training practitioners to observe and detach from intense emotions, MM creates a mental buffer that enables more constructive responses to anger‑provoking situations [41].”
Using life and death education to guide the teaching and research of mindfulness
Phan, H. P., Ngu, B. H., Chen, S.-C., & Hsu, C.-S. (2025) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2025.1576500 · Cited by 4
A Figyelem és Tudatosság Mindfulness Skála (FTMS) pilot tesztelése
Lengyel, A. (2017) · Mentálhigiéné és Pszichoszomatika · doi:10.1556/0406.18.2017.015 · Cited by 5
Weng, J., & DeMarree, K. G. (2019) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00854 · Cited by 3
Metadata
- Authors
- Desbordes, G., Gard, T., Hoge, E. A., Hölzel, B. K., Kerr, C., Lazar, S. W., Olendzki, A., & Vago, D. R.
- Affiliations
- Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
- Maastricht University (NL)
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (DE)
- Brown University (US)
- Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
- Corresponding author
- Desbordes, Gaëlle
- Venue
- Mindfulness
- Published
- 2014-01-21
- Volume
- 6
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 356-372
- ISSN
- 1868-8527 (ISSN-L)
- 1868-8535
- PMC
- PMC4350240
- OpenAlex
- W2075305762
- Semantic Scholar
- 75e9947374576cc615f3b956797d532fd805da71
- Cited by
- 505
- References
- 172
- Citations by year
- 2026: 35 · 2025: 61 · 2024: 45 · 2023: 48 · 2022: 49 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 60 · 2019: 32 · 2018: 45 · 2017: 44 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 6
- FWCI
- 36.01
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Mindfulness (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Publications (Maastricht University) (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- MindRxiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
- Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (K23AT004432, R21AT003425, K01AT008225, R01AT006344)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Keywords
- equanimity, meditation, contemplative science, outcome measures, well-being, Buddhist psychology, meditation techniques, emotional valence
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