正念禪原理與療癒功能之探討──佛教心理學的觀點

A Theoretical Exposition of Mindfulness Meditation and Its Healing Functions: A Buddhist Psychological Perspective

現代源自緬甸的正念禪派注重清晰、如實地觀照身心實相，對一切所緣境保持開放和接納，不作價值評判及貪瞋習性反應，也不摻雜禪修者的主觀好惡和成見。如此「正念」自然導入正定，由正定而開展解脫智慧。本文以文獻內容分析論證此一修行義理跟後來禪宗的「定慧一體」思想一脈相通，都是由佛陀聚焦於正念的教導所啟發的。這個論點的提出是要回應現代南傳佛教學者的批評，說是只修觀而不修傳統四禪定的「純觀行」有違佛陀的教導，因為「純觀行」無法達致開悟解脫所必需的正定。本文指出「正念」是連結定與慧的關鍵，馬哈希和葛印卡的正念禪雖然不修四禪定，但都以正念修習為特色，理論上可以達致正定，由定發慧。本文進一步從佛教心理分析探討正念禪為何能去除貪瞋習性、解脫精神苦惱，並且帶來身心療癒的原理。

Modern schools of Mindfulness meditation originating from Burma place emphasis on clear and unhindered observation of mind-body phenomena as they are, with openness and acceptance but without value judgment and habitual reactions with craving and aversion, and free of the meditator’s personal biases and preconceptions. Right Mindfulness in this context naturally leads to Right Concentration, from which liberating wisdom unfolds. Based on literature content analysis, this article argues that such a theory of meditative practice is in consistence with the Zen thought of “Oneness of Samadhi (Concentration) and Panna (Wisdom),” all inspired by the Buddha’s teachings that focus on Right Mindfulness. This point is made in response to criticism by scholars of Theravada Buddhism that “pure Insight (or Vipassana) meditation” without practicing the traditional Four Jhanas goes against the Buddha’s teachings as it misses Right Concentration that is essential for enlightenment. This article points out that insofar as Right Mindfulness is present in the “pure Insight (or Vipassana) meditation,” which is characteristic of Mahashi Sayadaw’s and Mr. Goenka’s traditions of Mindfulness meditation, theoretically there will be Right Concentration to serve as the foundation for attaining Wisdom, since Right Mindfulness is the key link between the two. Furthermore, this article discusses, on the basis of Buddhist psychoanalysis, how Mindfulness meditation can help to eliminate habitual reactions with craving and aversion, to attain spiritual freedom from afflictions and suffering, and to deliver mind-body therapeutic healing efficacy.