ABSTRACT
The practice of mindfulnessÐpaying attention in a particular way, without judgementÐis a powerful way of ``re-establishing and strengthening connectedness with our own inner landscape'' (Kabat-Zinn, 2005, p. 123). This has the effect of creating wellbeing and greater health in ways that reach far beyond the speci®c effect of reducing vulnerability to depressive relapse. MBCT was originally designed to be taught during periods of remission from depression.11 A distinctive feature of MBCT, therefore, is that participants are simultaneously gaining skills in more effectively managing their general vulnerability (traits shared by all humans), by bringing the effects of mindfulness practice into the everyday fabric of their lives, and are also learning to better manage their speci®c vulnerability (heightened risk of depressive relapse) (Teasdale et al., 1995; Williams, 2008). MBCT thus has the potential of offering participants a way of working with and transforming their lives in profound and farreaching ways, as well as enabling them to work more skilfully with their vulnerability to depressive relapse. This Point addresses some aspects of the issues related to working with both general and speci®c vulnerability within the MBCT programme.
General vulnerabilities
