ABSTRACT
This chapter disputes the prevalent and popular belief that secular mindfulness originated from Buddhism. It presents a brief history of mindfulness in ancient and modern times within Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism. It draws on salient points from several sources to show that Kabat-Zinn was heavily influenced by other non-Buddhist schools of thought. It presents the distinct optimism and positivity, found in the secular mindfulness approaches, which are not found in Buddhism with its pessimistic doctrine. By exploring these points, readers learn that the secular mindfulness, innovated by Jon Kabat-Zinn, is an eclectic system which continues to (or can) assimilate other schools of thought in its path.
