Narrative Therapy and Mindfulness: Intention, Attention, Ethics. Part 2

Abstract

This is the second of a matched pair of articles that present concepts and practices for expanding the territory of narrative therapy to include working with attention and present moment awareness. The first article explored similarities and differences between narrative therapy and attentional practices derived from Buddhist traditions frequently associated in western contexts with the term “mindfulness.” That piece proposed that both narrative and mindfulness support persons in enacting ethical choice, but the process differs in the two traditions. Narrative is preoccupied with stories or discourses, which are externalized, making space for the performance of alternatives. Mindfulness practices key in on attention, supporting persons in relinquishing the grasp on a never-ending flow of mental phenomena. Narrative seeks to liberate our storying capacity; mindfulness seeks to liberate our attention. Both traditions support persons in living in a manner congruent with their values; we have called this ethical intentionality. This companion article offers examples of how these two traditions can be co-mingled in therapeutic practice.