The American Psychological Association describes mindfulness as, “a moment-to-moment awareness of one’s experience without judgment.” They go on to explain that, “in this sense, mindfulness is a state and not a trait. While it might be promoted by certain practices or activities, such as meditation, it is not equivalent or synonymous with them” (APA.org, 2012). Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) refer to experiences that engage practitioners in the practice of applying mindful principles to a particular context. Engaging in MBI is most effective when a person embraces a “beginner’s mind” which is to perceive and experience themselves, their environment and others as if for the first time (Niemiec, 2019). Taking this fresh eyed approach provides a clean landscape upon which the person can build new skills and cultivate new ways of thinking, relating and being. Empirical evidence suggests that mindfulness practices are instrumental in providing practitioners greater exposure and understanding of their authentic inner self, increasing self-regulation and resilience and promoting prosocial behavioral growth (Niemiec & Lissing, 2016; Barua & Muchiri, 2019; Creswell D. J., 2017). When integrated with character strengths, Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practices (MBSPs) support individuals in attuning their awareness to the underuse, overuse and optimal character strengths expression in social situations which may include, but is not limited to the “understanding, exploration, spotting, appreciating, balancing and deployment of one’s character strengths” (Niemiec & Lissing, 2016; Littman-Ovadia & M., 2016). The result of the synergistic merging of these two positive psychology sciences, according to Niemiec and Lissing (2016) is the catalyzation of “deep looking – both inwardly and outwardly – and the potential for constructive, authentic, and altruistic action unfolds.”
The MBSP model is inspired by Nhat Hanh’s (1979) philosophies on mindful living and operates from the basis of the following four universal assumptions of human beings:
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Individuals have the power to build their character strengths and mindfulness.
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People can use their mindfulness ability and their character strengths to deepen self-awareness, foster insight, build a life of meaning and purpose, build relationships, and to reach their goals.
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Individuals practiced in MBSP can use their core qualities in a more balanced and proficient manner.
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Applying character strengths to mindfulness practice and mindful living will encourage individuals to become more consistent, as well as enabling themselves to reap more benefits from their mindfulness practice (Littman-Ovadia & M., 2016).
Although MBSP is still a relatively new science, initial research findings confirm its efficacy citing favorable outcomes among participants such as increased self-awareness, self-regulation and mindful strengths use, work engagement, ability to spot and appreciate strengths in others, better management of life challenges, and overall well-being (Niemiec & Lissing, 2016; Reb & Choi, 2014). Encouraged by these early findings, an increasing number of executive coaches, leadership consultants and organizations are beginning to integrate MBI and MBSP as core components of development their programs (Frederickson & Losada, 2005). The purpose of the proposed research is to study how engaging in an embodiment practice aimed at strengthening a person’s love character trait will impact their leadership. Metta means “lovingkindness” in Pali, and the weekly practices were derived from various lovingkindess meditations based on the research of Dr. Kristin Neff and writings of Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. The practices are designed to support participants in building their love character progressively over the 3-week research period (Neff, 2011; Nhat Hanh, 2015).