A Model of Mindfulness Development to Promote the Peaceful Well-Being for the Dependent Elderly
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Abstract
This research article consisted of three objectives as follows; 1) to study the current conditions and problems of the dependent elderly; 2) to develop the use of mindfulness to promote the peaceful well-being for the dependent elderly; 3) to present a model of mindfulness development to promote the peaceful well-being for the dependent elderly. This was a qualitative research through document studies and experimental research by means of in-depth interviews with 2 groups of key informants, consisting of 26 people, focus group discussion with 7 experts and the experiment which was used with 5 dependent elderly in Nong Khae sub-district.
The results of research were found that 1) the dependent elderly, apart from having physical and mental problems, they also lacked suitable use of mindfulness and knowledge in self-care. In addition, they also had social, family and economic issues 2) the development of the use of mindfulness can be practiced by paying homage to the Buddha, chanting, meditating, sitting with the eyes closed while watching the breathing in and out, contemplating the body and mind, and sending loving-kindness to all sentient beings 3) a model of mindfulness development to promote the peaceful well-being for the dependent elderly was derived from the integration between the Buddhist doctrines and conventional medicine which consisted as follows; (3.1) Chanting, meditating and having Dhamma talk; (3.2) the care in food, exercise, emotion, air, warmth, health, hobbies, feces, accident prevention, and forgiveness; and (3.3) Having good friends, good activities, good communication, good Buddhist doctrines, good materials and good atmosphere. The mental training based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipaṭṭhāna) was the cultivation of mindfulness to see sufferings and things as they were. The continuous practice would lead to the wisdom in seeing and understanding the reality and eventually letting go. All of this would result in the peaceful well-being both physically and mentally according to the 4Ds model, namely, good health, good mind, good emotion, and good wisdom.
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