Contemplative positive psychology: introducing mindfulness int

ositive psychology has integrated, more or less clearly, contemplative practices such as mindfulness within the range of grounded and empowering techniques of the positive aspects of being human. Despite this, there has been little depth within this movement on its implications and the inconsistencies that exist between mindfulness and positive psychology, and the similarities that can undoubtedly be strengthened in order to build bridges in improving the effectiveness of both ways of understanding human development and the pursuit of psychological well-being. Mindfulness is defined as a trait or mental state that involves the intentional focusing of the attention on an object (e.g., breathing), while observing thoughts, emotions, and sensations as they emerge in the present moment (Vago & Silbersweig, 2012). Mindfulness training usually starts with a first phase that works on, to a greater extent, the attention focused on an element, whether in the environment or the body (breathing, feelings, etc.). Then comes a second phase of open monitoring, in which the practitioner places their attention on what is happening at that time, i.e., on the thoughts, emotions and sensations that come up. As for how to practice mindfulness, it is mainly divided into two types: formal and informal practice. The formal practice is where the person has to devote some time to take up a particular position, either sitting in a chair or lying down, and their attention is directed to any phenomenon or object that appears in the present, with the physical sensations being an ideal terrain on which to begin focusing the attention (Cebolla & Demarzo, 2014). The informal practice, on the other hand, involves bringing the attention to daily activities (e.g., eating, showering, etc.), with the aim that the person perform simple exercises of awareness, observation of the senses and attention to what happens in the present moment. In the field of psychological treatments, incorporating mindfulness, as a primary or supplementary component, has allowed the emergence of treatment programs aimed at reducing different types of symptoms in different groups, and it CONTEMPLATIVE POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY: INTRODUCING MINDFULNESS INTO POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY