ABSTRACT
This chapter serves as an introduction to the present book by outlining the characteristics of research on mindfulness-based intervention (MBIs) and some of the developments as they gained increased acceptance as a mainstream psychological treatment approach. While some of the literature has started to view mindfulness as multidisciplinary, transparadigmatic, and transdiagnostic, there is also increased critical discussion about this development. This includes the criticism of commercialisation of mindfulness practice as well as its over-application and uncritical acceptance as some kind of panacea. Additional arguments concern the ambiguous role of mindfulness and the boundaries between personal transformation and meaningfulness with spiritual and religious beliefs, particularly how MBIs are presented in terms of its association with Buddhism. Related to these debates is the question of suitable operational definitions of mindfulness. While the range of available definitions of mindfulness has not slowed down MBI research in any way, more sophisticated theoretical understanding of the benefits of mindfulness can only be developed with better consensus on suitable definitions. This includes clearer distinctions between mindfulness as a state, trait, skill, or practice.
