Zen and the Art of Living Mindfully: The Health-Enhancing Potential of Zen Aesthetics

Amidst the burgeoning enthusiasm for mindfulness in the West, there is a concern that the largely secular ‘de-contextualized’ way in which it is being harnessed is denuding it of its potential to improve health and well-being. As such, efforts are underway to ‘re-contextualize’ mindfulness, explicit...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Lomas, Tim 1979- (Autor) ; Etcoff, Nancy L. 1955- (Autor)
Otros Autores: Gordon, W. Van (Otro) ; Shonin, E.
Tipo de documento: Electrónico Artículo
Lenguaje:Inglés
Verificar disponibilidad: HBZ Gateway
Interlibrary Loan:Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany)
Publicado: [2017]
En: Journal of religion and health
Año: 2017, Volumen: 56, Número: 5, Páginas: 1720-1739
Otras palabras clave:B Psychosomatic well-being
B Non-pharmacological interventions
B Zen
B Health-related disorders
B Especie
B Aesthetics
B Mindfulness
Acceso en línea: Presumably Free Access
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Volltext (doi)
Descripción
Sumario:Amidst the burgeoning enthusiasm for mindfulness in the West, there is a concern that the largely secular ‘de-contextualized’ way in which it is being harnessed is denuding it of its potential to improve health and well-being. As such, efforts are underway to ‘re-contextualize’ mindfulness, explicitly drawing on the wider framework of Buddhist ideas and practices in which it was initially developed. This paper aims to contribute to this, doing so by focusing on Zen Buddhism, and in particular on Zen aesthetic principles. The article concentrates on the seven principles identified by Hisamatsu (1971) in his classic text Zen and the Fine Arts: kanso (simplicity); fukinsei (asymmetry); koko (austere sublimity); shizen (naturalness); daisuzoku (freedom from routine); sei-jaku (tranquillity); and yūgen (profound grace). The presence of these principles in works of art is seen as reflecting and communicating insights that are central to Buddhism, such as non-attachment. Moreover, these principles do not only apply to the creation and appreciation of art, but have clear applications for treating health-related issues, and improving quality of life more generally. This paper makes the case that embodying these principles in their lives can help people enhance their psychosomatic well-being, and come to a truer understanding of the essence of mindful living.
ISSN:1573-6571
Obras secundarias:Enthalten in: Journal of religion and health
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1007/s10943-017-0446-5