An Overview of Mindfulness Based on Practical Rationality

Abstract

Though there has been an increase in the studies on mindfulness in organizations, the studies around its process have been scant. Most of the studies use only quantitative methods by collecting data based on scale-based questionnaires and doing further analysis to assess the impact of mindfulness on the organizational effectiveness as a whole. This chapter is an effort to explore the concept of mindfulness so that we can utilize it most effectively. The authors tried to connect several theories to the phenomena of mindfulness, for example, trait activation theory and broad and build theory. They present an alternate theoretical lens based on ‘practical rationality,' which can substantiate the use of qualitative methods for collecting data on mindfulness and help develop a higher orientation of experience among individuals. The authors concluded that mindfulness is an individual-level process that workplace factors and systems can influence. In addition, the purpose of initiating mindfulness should not be towards more ‘hedonic' reasons like stress management. Instead, the purpose should be more ‘eudemonic.'