Current mindfulness approaches in psychotherapy draw on the meditation practices of many ancient traditions. While the source of these practices often came from a spiritual base, the practices themselves can be separated from any religious or spiritual ideology. Modern psychology has researched and incorporated elements of these practices into therapeutic practice. The practices are aimed at creating awareness to improve mental and emotional health offering an ongoing tool for life way beyond the therapeutic encounter.
In therapy, insight (mindfulness) approaches allow one to bring a spacious attention to underlying thought and emotional states and to work with them (rather than) running from them. These practices can assist in defusing the painfulness of feelings and thoughts, bring new insights, calm the nervous system and, undo the sometimes negative beliefs we might unwittingly hold about ourselves.
