Critical Reflection on the Ethics of Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a way to achieve mental wellbeing that has been widely adopted as part of counselling and mental health treatment. However, there is a distinct lack of critical reflection about the origins of this technique, how it is used, and the implications it has for the beliefs of clients. The purpose of this paper is to provide a carefully considered response to the use of humanistic mindfulness. Social workers need to explain why they recommend mindfulness, and explore culturally consistent and sensitive practice, so that they are abiding by the Australian Association of Social Workers Code of ethics.

IMPLICATIONS

• The use of mindfulness in social work practice requires careful consideration as to its impact and relevance to clients’ needs.

• Mindfulness originates in philosophical traditions distinct from mental health treatment.

• In choosing to use mindfulness social workers require consistent and sensitive understanding of clients’ needs, world views, and culture.

     

冷峭中的温情——论穆旦1976年的诗

对穆旦1976年的诗,很多人评论其诗作中有深重的“冬天意识”和“死亡意识”,而对诗人1976年的诗作按其写作时间的先后进行梳理研究,发现其诗中除了所谓的“冬天意识”和“死亡意识”之外,还有一种内在的温情的暗流在涌动,而且这种温情越来越浓,这也反映了诗人在1976年的心路历程。     

Ngarraanga Giinganay (‘thinking peacefully’): Co-design and pilot study of a culturally-grounded mindfulness-based stress reduction program with older First Nations Australians

First Nations ‘survivors’ are ageing in increasing numbers. Life-course stress and depression are of concern for older First Nations Australians, yet there are limited psychosocial interventions. This study aimed to co-design a culturally-grounded mindfulness-based program (‘Ngarraanga Giinganay’) and evaluate acceptability/feasibility with an Aboriginal community on Gumbaynggirr Country. An expert Working Group guided program development, with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal clinicians/consultants. A workshop, collaborative yarning group with older Aboriginal people (n = 9), and further consultation contributed to the design/refinement of the 8-session group-based program, ensuring content aligned with therapeutic principles of mindfulness and cultural understandings of the Gumbaynggirr community. A single-group pilot study was conducted (n = 7, 62−81 years), co-facilitated by an Aboriginal clinician and Elder. Outcomes were qualitative (understandings of mindfulness, program acceptability, benefits to health/wellbeing). Pilot results demonstrated feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness. The program enhanced understandings of mindfulness and participants highlighted benefits such as helping anxiety, relaxation, focusing on the moment and connection to Country/land. Trends were seen for reducing depression, anxiety and stress symptoms, and blood pressure. This study provides insight into partnering with underrepresented populations through ageing research, highlighting the effectiveness of this co-design approach. Ngarraanga Giinganay has considerable potential for supporting health and wellbeing of First Nations peoples.     

晚唐五代诗格的著作群体

群体研究具有个体研究不能取代的优点。晚唐五代诗格独特的著作群体对这一时期诗格独特风貌的形成产生了重要影响。从著者身份的角度看,僧人是这一著作群体的主体,晚唐五代诗格显然受到佛教文化与思维方式的影响,形成了独特的理论特征;从著者诗风的角度考察,晚唐五代诗格作者多为苦吟诗人,作诗重推敲重磨炼,受其影响,晚唐五代诗格论诗也以句法、磨炼为中心。     

Evaluation of Yoga and Meditation Trainings with Adolescent Sex Offenders

This project was a program evaluation of an innovative approach to working with adolescent sex offenders at a human service agency in the Intermountain West. A literature review shows little content on the use of yoga and meditation instruction in general, and no content on the use of such methods with adolescent sex offenders. There is evidence, however, that such techniques can contribute to the improved physical and mental health of adults. Adolescent participants, their parents, and their trainers in the program were interviewed. Results of the interviews are summarized, and recommendations are forwarded.     

Measuring the Immeasurables: Development and Initial Validation of the Self-Other Four Immeasurables (SOFI) Scale Based on Buddhist Teachings on Loving Kindness,Compassion, Joy,and Equanimity

Multiple measures exist that examine the attentional aspects of meditation practice, but measurement of the compassion component is relatively understudied. This paper describes the development and initial validation of a scale designed to measure application of the four immeasurable qualities at the heart of Buddhist teachings: loving kindness, compassion, joy and acceptance toward both self and others. Our analyses suggest four distinct subscales: positive qualities toward self, positive qualities toward others, negative qualities toward self and negative qualities toward others. Initial examination of reliability and validity showed high internal consistency for the subscales as well as strong concurrent, discriminant, and construct validity. We believe the Self-Other Four Immeasurables (SOFI) scale has broad utility for research on mindfulness, positive psychology, and social psychology.     

专业社会工作实务方法在人民调解中的运用

随着改革的纵深发展与当今人民调解工作面临的巨大挑战，迫切需要探究人民调解的新方法。本文以社会工作方法的工作框架、策略方法及工作程序为焦点，尝试分析了专业社会工作实务方法在人民调解中的运用，以此回应当今人民调解工作的新问题。     

究竟何为“杼轴献功”？——也谈《文心雕龙·神思》中“杼轴献功”的蕴意

《文心雕龙.神思》篇中的＂杼轴献功＂一词的蕴意一直没有定论,有人认为是＂修饰润色＂之意,另有人认为是＂想象活动＂所起的作用,还有人认为是＂加工制作＂等。本文主要从梳理《神思》篇的篇意以及关键段的段意出发,并结合其他篇章为佐证,来重新阐释其含义,得出＂杼轴献功＂主要是指对拙辞与庸事的经营组织。     

Meditation Program Enhances Self-efficacy and Resilience of Home-based Caregivers of Older Adults with Alzheimer’s: A Five-year Follow-up Study in Two South Asian Cities

This article reports a five-year follow-up study in two South Asian cities on the impact of a long-term meditation program in enhancing self-efficacy and resilience of home-based caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer’s. Intervention group caregivers (pre-test N = 96; post-test N = 78) reported lower perceived caregiving burden, higher self-efficacy in obtaining respite, responding to disruptive patient behaviors and controlling upsetting thoughts, and greater resilience, post-test, in comparison to the control group (pre-test N = 89; post-test N = 67). Gender and relationship with the patient were two strong moderators determining program impact. Caregiver women, spouses, Hindus, middle class, with college and higher education, homemakers, who attended at least 75% of the meditation lessons and regularly practiced at home (i.e. once weekly for at least 75% of the weeks) reported lower post-test perceived caregiving burden, higher self-efficacy, and resilience. Results of the Tobit regression models confirmed the meditation-related moderators and indicated that home practice was the strongest predictor of post-test scores. Overall the meditation program is an effective intervention, however, would need to be refined for specific caregiver subgroups such as men, children and children-in-law and those working outside the home, to suit their realities.     

试论王安石晚年禅诗的艺术成就

王安石是北宋中期诗坛上一位重要诗人。在他留传下来的 16 0 0多首诗篇中 ,其中言及佛理与禅趣的诗就有 10 0余首。这些禅诗在艺术上取得了很高的成就 ,可谓“自成一体”。王安石晚年禅诗的艺术成就包括以下几方面 :语言平淡 ,诗意恬淡 ;阐释佛理 ,启人心智 ;以禅入趣 ,尽显其志