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Willoughby Britton on Mindfulness: Benefits, Challenges and the Reality of Meditation
In this interview, Professor Willoughby Britton shares her perspective on the growing popularity of mindfulness and why it is important to understand both its benefits and its challenges. Drawing on her experience as a psychiatrist, researcher and long-term meditation practitioner, she explains that meditation is not always a calming or relaxing experience and can sometimes uncover unresolved emotional or psychological issues.
The interview also explores the rapid growth of mindfulness in education and healthcare, the need for appropriate supervision, and how Britton's personal experience with meditation has shaped her research into the effects of mindfulness practice.
This page links to the full interview, where Willoughby Britton discusses the complexities of mindfulness, the importance of responsible teaching, and how personal practice informs scientific research.
Key points
- Explains why meditation is not always peaceful or relaxing.
- Discusses how mindfulness can bring difficult emotions or traumatic memories to the surface.
- Highlights the importance of guidance and support for new practitioners.
- Explores the growing popularity of mindfulness in schools and universities.
- Shares how personal meditation practice has influenced Britton's research.
- Encourages a balanced and evidence-based understanding of mindfulness.