Background: Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) are widely used across clinicaland community settings, supported by strong evidence for reducing depression, anxiety, andstress. However, ethnic minority populations are underrepresented group accessing therapyinterventions. Limited research suggests that incorporating spirituality and culturally sensitivecontent increase participant engagement and better outcomes in clinical settings within ethnicminority population. The mindfulness practices were originated in religious practices andtherefore it is appropriate to conduct research closer to cultural origins for betterunderstanding of cultural and spiritual aspects of mindfulness. Research is needed to explorehow cultural adaptations can be integrated without losing the key essence of mindfulnesspractice.Objectives: This study examined how Buddhist participants in Sri Lanka experiencesecular mindfulness by focusing on: (1) understandings of secular mindfulness within aBuddhist cultural context; (2) the role of ‘right intention’ in maintaining depth andauthenticity; and (3) how facilitators and interventions can integrate cultural and spiritualdimensions while retaining therapeutic efficacy.Methods: Ten Buddhist participants with experience in religious and secularmindfulness were recruited using purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews wereconducted in Sinhala, English, or both, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (RTA)supported by NVivo software.Results: The results indicated that mindfulness as a spiritual–ethical path may beadaptable to secular contexts but at risk of losing depth without right intention. Three themesemerged: (1) the interconnection of culture, belief, and mindfulness; (2) the flexibility ofmindfulness through framing and right intention; and (3) the significance of intervention9factors, including facilitators, practices, and integration of spirituality within secularprograms. Participants emphasised that compassion, forgiveness, equanimity, and nonattachment can enrich secular mindfulness without invoking religious doctrine. Sustainedpractice was supported by teacher guidance, community support, and meaningful culturalframing.Conclusions: Findings highlight that spirituality can be incorporated into secularMBIs through universal ethical qualities rather than religious doctrine. Preserving rightintention and embedding compassion and equanimity may enhance both authenticity andlong-term sustainability. These insights provide important guidance for adapting MBIs inculturally diverse contexts while retaining their ethical depth.
| Date of Award | 18 Feb 2026 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Awarding Institution | |
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| Supervisor | Vuokko Wallace (Supervisor) |
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Doctorate in Clinical Psychology : Main Research Portfolio: 1) An Exploration of Mindfulness and Compassion-based Interventions among Ethnic Minorities in Western Clinical Settings: A systematic review and narrative synthesis; 2) An evaluation of the feasibility and acceptance of an online compassion-focused group intervention for people with chronic pain and fatigue.; 3) Experience of secular mindfulness among Buddhist participants in Sri Lanka: A qualitative thematic analysis study.
Gunasekara, R. (Author). 18 Feb 2026
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)