傳統佛教的正念修行（mindfulness）是佛法八正道之一，意指繫念於聖道的實踐，心不旁騖，意不散亂。其修行的目的在收攝身心，以期達到解脫煩惱的開悟境界。其修行的方法是透過發菩提願心，以及修習次第禪觀與默照禪觀，使心念安定，甚至達到放捨諸相，休息萬事的境地。自一九七九年以來，西方借用佛法有關正念的禪修觀念與方法，積極開發以正念減壓及療癒心理疾病的課程（如正念減壓及正念認知療法等），強調專注在當下且不帶評價的覺察，對減少身心壓力與病痛，以及治療心理疾病上有明顯的幫助，因而普遍流傳於西方的主流社會。本文首先探討傳統佛法的正念修行與西方醫學、心理學的正念覺察練習二者在意涵上之區別，次再分析二者對情緒平衡的影響情形，最後在結語中，從跨學科的觀點對正念之研究，提出三點看法。

From the perspective of traditional Buddhism, mindfulness is one of the Eightfold Paths of the Dharma. It means that in order to practice the Dharma, every thought should be fully aware, and the mind is not distracted in the present moment. The purpose of mindfulness is to integrate one’s body and mind in order to achieve an enlightened state of liberation. The methods of mindfulness include making bodhisattva wish and practicing serene contemplation and silent-illumination meditation. Hence, one may even reach the situation of letting go of all things. Since 1979, the Western society has borrowed the Buddhist concepts and methods of mindfulness to actively develop some programs concerning stress reduction and healing of mental illness (such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Mindfulness- Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) programs etc.). Through emphasizing living in the moment with non-judging and nonstriving attitude, MBSR and MBCT programs have obviously helped in reducing physical and mental stress and pain, as well as in the treatment of mental illness, so it is widely prevailing in the mainstream society in the West. This article first discusses the difference in meaning between mindfulness practice of traditional Buddhism and MBSR and MBCT programs, and then analyzes the impact of those on emotional balance. Finally, in the conclusion, from a cross-disciplinary perspective on Buddhism, three points of view are proposed in the study of mindfulness.