2022 Volume 12 Pages 1-18
This study examines the elements from the teachings of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj and Sri Ramana Maharshi that Jon Kabat-Zinn has incorporated in his Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). There is often a discussion on Buddhist roots of MBSR and mindfulness, however, the influence of Hindu spiritual teachers is not yet explored. Kabat-Zinn in one of his articles cites Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj and Sri Ramana Maharshi, who had an impact on the formation of MBSR. Both Hindu spiritual teachers became known in the United States through the English translations of their teachings. They neither had strategies to promote their teachings, nor claimed worldly benefits of yoga and meditation. On the other hand, Kabat-Zinn strategically promoted yoga and meditation for health benefits. Despite such differences, certain ideological similarities can be found between Kabat-Zinn and both Hindu spiritual teachers. First, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj and Kabat-Zinn emphasize watching and witnessing the mind without judgment. Second, they explain the importance of consistent practice and patience. Furthermore, they suggest practicing a non-doing approach for the dissolvement of ‘I’ (ego) and effortless activity. Among the practices suggested by Sri Ramana Maharshi, Kabat-Zinn focuses on the self-inquiry practice and neti-neti approach. Self-inquiry practice means asking the question ‘Who am I?’ while meditating, and neti-neti means negating all the identities attached to oneself. Moreover, he asserts practicing meditation in daily life, which is found in Sri Ramana Maharshi’s books. In this way, both Hindu spiritual teachers contributed to the ideology and practice of MBSR.
