Mindfulness
Somatic Model vs. Monastic Model of Mindfulness
The somatic model of mindfulness, as discussed by Willa Blythe Baker in The Wakeful Body, emphasizes a different approach compared to the traditional monastic model. In the monastic model, mindfulness involves disciplining the mind through mental discipline and cognitive approaches like focusing on the breath to calm the mind. On the other hand, the somatic model, also known as somatic mindfulness, focuses on attention emerging from deep within the body rather than controlling the mind. This approach involves surrendering to the body’s sensations and allowing attention to be drawn back naturally by somatic feelings like the breath or bodily sensations.
Somatic mindfulness is about experiencing the present moment through the entire bodymind, acknowledging distractions but not trying to control them. The body leads the way in this model, offering a natural draw for attention without the need for disciplined redirection by mental effort. This approach highlights that while the mind may be distracted, the body remains present and mindful, providing a pathway to sustained attention and relaxation without the need for strict mental control.
While the monastic model of mindfulness focuses on disciplining and controlling the mind through cognitive approaches, the somatic model emphasizes surrendering to the body’s sensations and allowing attention to be naturally drawn back by somatic experiences, offering a unique perspective on developing mindfulness.
Somatic Model Vs Vipassana
The somatic model of mindfulness, as discussed in relation to somatic mindfulness, differs from Vipassana meditation. While Vipassana is a traditional form of meditation that focuses on insight and mindfulness through observing bodily sensations and mental processes to gain insight into the nature of reality, the somatic model emphasizes mindfulness emerging from deep within the body rather than controlling the mind.
In Vipassana, practitioners observe bodily sensations with detachment to develop insight into impermanence, suffering, and non-self. On the other hand, somatic mindfulness involves surrendering to the body’s sensations and allowing attention to be drawn back naturally by somatic feelings like the breath or bodily sensations. This approach highlights a different perspective on mindfulness, focusing on experiencing the present moment through the entire bodymind rather than solely observing mental processes.
Therefore, while Vipassana meditation emphasizes insight through observing bodily sensations and mental processes, the somatic model of mindfulness focuses on attention emerging from within the body and surrendering to bodily sensations for a more embodied experience of mindfulness.