THRS 3341 - Introduction to Mindfulness

5 credit hours
This course introduces theories and practices of mindfulness meditation from Buddhist traditions. It explores how mindfulness meditation developed historically in the Buddhist tradition as well as its contemporary manifestations in programs such as Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Class sessions will involve introduction to the Buddhist roots of mindfulness meditation, the development of mindfulness meditation as both a religious ritual in Buddhist sanghas as well as its secularization in contemporary Western psychotherapy. Thus, the course will explore the differences between religious practices of mindfulness and its secularization. Students will therefore be required to engage in a comparative global analysis of Buddhist mindfulness, the benefits and problems with the secularization of mindfulness, and engage in their own study and practice of mindfulness to examine their own beliefs.WR

Prerequisite Course(s): UCOR 2100