Mindfulness and self-acceptance (original) (raw)

Abstract

The present article will focus on the cognitive theory of mindfulness and its importance in achieving unconditional self-acceptance. The goal of the mindful perspective is to increase cognitive flexibility and to thereby increase behavioral flexibility and the ability to adapt to one’s current environment in a meaningful manner. Empirical evidence spanning four decades attests to the beneficial effects of a mindful vs. mindless perspective. The article will focus on the following aspects of mindfulness as they apply to self-acceptance: the importance of authenticity, the tyranny of evaluation, the benefits of mistakes, the mindlessness of social comparison, the trap of rigid categories, and the acceptance of self as a mindful choice. The article concludes with a number of mindfulness applications geared toward enhancing self-acceptance.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
   Shelley H. Carson & Ellen J. Langer
2. Department of Psychology, Harvard University, 33 Kirkland Street, 02138, Cambridge, MA, USA
   Shelley H. Carson

Authors

1. Shelley H. Carson
2. Ellen J. Langer

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Correspondence toShelley H. Carson.

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Carson, S.H., Langer, E.J. Mindfulness and self-acceptance.J Rat-Emo Cognitive-Behav Ther 24, 29–43 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-006-0022-5

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• Published: 20 June 2006
• Issue date: March 2006
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-006-0022-5

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