Is mindfulness wrong for Catholics because it's Buddhist?

In the Church document Nostra Aetate, in which the Church addresses the relation of the Church to non-Christian religions, the Church explains:

"The Catholic Church rejects nothing that is true and holy in these religions. She regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men."

We believe that the Catholic Church has the fullness of all truth revealed by God.

Mindfulness as a step in the Buddhist's path to enlightenment has obvious contradictions with the truth of the Catholic faith. But mindfulness taken as a excercise of the brain and non-judgemental self-awareness can be beneficial to our walk with Jesus if we understand it within the Catholic worldview of God and the human person.

Want to learn more about mindfulness?

This week, we’re publishing a snippet from a CPMAP lecture in which Dr. Greg answers these questions and more! In this episode, he breaks open a definition of mindfulness while exploring its history, compatibility with Catholic teaching, and the many psychological and spiritual benefits of incorporating it into one’s life.

To listen to the full episode, go to beinghuman.catholicpsych.com or listen on your favorite podcast apps!

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