Collective mindfulness: definitional properties and inter-relational outcomes

This qualitative study explored the meaning, process, and outcomes of collective mindfulness. Current mindfulness research and practice centers around individualist models of care, missing dimensions of religious communities and collectivist cultures. Nine mindfulness practitioners self-identifying with collectivist ethnic and cultural backgrounds participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews. Interviews explored participants’ experiences with individual and group mindfulness practices, cultural influences, and definitions of collective mindfulness. Data analysis employed an iterative, inductive thematic analysis approach that embodied the collectivist spirit of the study through collaborative team processes. The research team maintained monthly meetings throughout data collection and analysis phases, conducting formal constant comparison analysis followed by collective dialectic conversations to create and share themes. Three major themes emerged: (1) Collective mindfulness involves intentionally cultivating awareness with others for the sake of the group; (2) Mindfulness practice often reflects Western individualist values, while collective mindfulness both reflects and challenges these values depending on cultural norms; and (3) Collective mindfulness cultivates enhanced care for others, empathy, compassion, co-regulation of mood states, and desire to meet community needs. Findings suggest collective mindfulness may provide sacred corrections to individual collectivist models that align with social work values to promote communal well-being.