ArticlePloS one2025
Mindfulness beyond secularization: Beliefs across meditators and non-meditators reflect a consensus on personal development over health and spirituality.
Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Abstract
backgroundMindfulness meditation (MM), originating from spiritual traditions but widely promoted as a secular and beneficial practice, is increasingly debated due to potential adverse effects, ethical concerns, and its ties with neoliberal imperatives, challenging its image as a universal remedy. Beliefs about MM strongly influence its reception, usage, and effects but remain understudied, especially in comparing meditators and non-meditators. Understanding these beliefs is key to clarifying how lay perceptions align or diverge from scientific frameworks and to grasp individuals' expectations and motivations, notably in clinical contexts. Existing research often overlooks belief content or comparisons between meditators and non-meditators.
objectiveThis study explored the content of beliefs about MM, identified missing elements, and compared meditators' and non-meditators' beliefs. Associations with sociodemographic, motivational, health, and psychological variables were examined.
methods167 participants (105 meditators) completed an online survey producing five words linked to MM, rated for valence, plus questionnaires on motivation, beliefs, and personal characteristics.
results817 free associations were collected; 65% were positive. Hierarchical classification identified five belief categories: "Body-based Relaxation," "Stereotyped Descriptions," "Psychological and Affective Well-Being," "Focus on Inner-Self," and "Experience of MM." Four categories were shared by both groups, with meditators showing more precise, experiential understanding. Beliefs varied with sociodemographic, health, and psychological factors. Core aspects in MM like attention, acceptance, health, collective dynamics and ethical concerns were largely absent. Notably, spirituality was not integrated into the beliefs about MM.
conclusionsFindings emphasize MM as a self-regulatory and personal development tool shaped by social, psychological and behavioural factors. Recognizing both current and potential MM users' beliefs can improve tailoring of mindfulness interventions and encourage instructors to address ethical and adverse aspects openly, fostering more informed, responsible practice.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.