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Mindfulness evokes the image of flexible and alert awareness (Weick & Sutcliff, 2006). Mindfulness is a counterfoil to mental rigidity. While concentration focuses attention, mindfulness determines on what the attention will be focused (Figure 1). Mindfulness also detects when attention strays (Kerr, 2008). Mindfulness is an act of neutral observation, where awareness of distractions occurs. This is followed by refocusing as distractions occur. Mindfulness usually requires immersion in the process at hand for a state of meta-awareness to emerge. Meta-awareness is being aware of what is happening as participation occurs (Fielden, 2005).
Figure 1. Research phases (RP) and mindfulness (Note 1: Denzin and Lincoln’s (2000; 2003) Research Phases Note 2: Fielden’s (2005) mindful dimensions)
Mindful practices abound in most spiritual traditions (Lau, 2007), and for those people who regard the world as a rational, mechanistic domain, these traditions, and therefore the development of mindfulness largely go unattended. Spiritual practices, such as meditation, hone the mind to become aware of multiple ways of being, or as Reason (2002) suggests ‘knowing the unknown”.