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Cited by 258Indian and Buddhist StudiesMindfulness and Compassion InterventionsReligious Studies and Spiritual Practices

Toward an understanding of non-dual mindfulness

Dunne, John·2011·Contemporary Buddhism
DOI 10.1080/14639947.2011.564820
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Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore an approach to ‘mindfulness’ that lies outside of the usual Buddhist mainstream. This approach adopts a ‘non-dual’ stance to meditation practice, and based on my limited experience and training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, this non-dual notion of ‘mindfulness’ seems an especially appropriate point of comparison between Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Buddhism. That comparison itself will not be the focus here—given my own inexpertise and lack of clinical experience, it would be best to leave the comparison to others! Instead, the aim here will be to explore some features of ‘mindfulness’ in the context of non-dual styles of Buddhist practice. To begin, we will assess some difficulties that emerge when one attempts to speak of ‘mindfulness’ in Buddhism. Next, we will turn to the somewhat radical notion of ‘non-dual’ practice in relation to the more mainstream descriptions found in the Buddhist Abhidharma literature. We will then examine some crucial features of Buddhist non-dualism, including attitudes and theories about thoughts and judgments. A brief foray into specific practice instructions will help us to understand the role of ‘mindfulness’ in a specific non-dual tradition called, ‘Mahāmudrā’ (the ‘Great Seal’). Finally, after some reflection on ‘mindfulness’ in the non-dual practice of Mahāmudrā, I will conclude by considering a crucial issue: the context of practice.

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Crossref · 10.1080/14639947.2011.564820

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  • 'Innateism' is based on the idea that the qualities of awakening are already present in an ordinary person's mind: 'progress' is about eliminating the obscurations that cover our innate buddhahood.

    “'Innateism' , in contrast, is based on the idea that the qualities of awakening are already present in an ordinary person's mind: 'progress' is about eliminating the obscurations that cover our innate buddhahood.”

    From Spacious Awareness in Mahāyāna Buddhism and Its Role in the Modern Mindfulness Movement (2017) · cites this paper as Dunne 2011

  • Innateism is typical of Mahāyāna Buddhism, and particularly linked to the development of Yogācāra philosophy around the second- or third-century CE.

    “Innateism is typical of Mahāyāna Buddhism, and particularly linked to the development of Yogācāra philosophy around the second- or third-century CE.”

    From Spacious Awareness in Mahāyāna Buddhism and Its Role in the Modern Mindfulness Movement (2017) · cites this paper as Dunne 2011

  • These two approaches are essentially what is described by Buddhist scholar John Dunne as 'Constructivism' and 'Innateism'.

    “These two approaches are essentially what is described by Buddhist scholar John Dunne as 'Constructivism' and 'Innateism' .”

    From Spacious Awareness in Mahāyāna Buddhism and Its Role in the Modern Mindfulness Movement (2017) · cites this paper as Dunne 2011

  • Constructivism is more typical of the Theravadin approach, and particularly the classical Abhidharma, which sees the path in terms of constructing the qualities to achieve buddhahood.

    “Constructivism is more typical of the Theravadin approach, and particularly the classical Abhidharma, which sees the path in terms of constructing the qualities to achieve buddhahood (Dunne 2011, 76).”

    From Spacious Awareness in Mahāyāna Buddhism and Its Role in the Modern Mindfulness Movement (2017) · cites this paper as Dunne 2011

  • This view underpins particular styles of practice, including Zen and Mahāmudrā, which aim to let go of conventional conceptual structures in order to release the mind into its natural state of clear, non-conceptual awareness.

    “This view underpins particular styles of practice, including Zen and Mahāmudrā, which aim to let go of conventional conceptual structures in order to release the mind into its natural state of clear, non-conceptual awareness (Buddhadharma 2004; Dunne 2011, 81).”

    From Spacious Awareness in Mahāyāna Buddhism and Its Role in the Modern Mindfulness Movement (2017) · cites this paper as Dunne 2011

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Authors
Dunne, J.
Corresponding author
Dunne, John
ORCID
Dunne, John
Venue
Contemporary Buddhism
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2011-05-01
Volume
12
Issue
1
Pages
71-88
ISSN
  • 1463-9947 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-7953
DOI
10.1080/14639947.2011.564820
OpenAlex
W2036944224
Cited by
256
References
4
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 50 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 5
FWCI
155.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Contemporary Buddhism (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Indian and Buddhist Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices
Keywords
Mahamudra, mindfulness-based stress reduction, Abhidharma, meditation practice, practice context

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