Introduction
As we go deeper into understanding the word ‘cognition’, you could stumble upon some interesting revelations about the word. The term cognition, rooted in the Latin cognitio (from cognoscere, “to know”), refers to the ensemble of mental processes involved in acquiring, processing, and applying knowledge. In contemporary psychology, it encompasses a broad spectrum of functions, including perception, memory, reasoning, and decision-making, all of which are integral to human understanding and adaptive behavior (Neisser, 1967).
A compelling parallel emerges when we consider the Sanskrit root ज्ञ (jñā), which similarly denotes knowledge, awareness, and insight. This root forms the basis of several key concepts in Indian philosophical and psychological traditions, such as ज्ञान (jñāna)—knowledge, प्रज्ञा (prajñā)—wisdom or intuitive insight, and अज्ञ (ajña)—ignorance. These terms represent consciousness and its various features that have been central to Indic thought since ancient times, particularly in Vedānta, Buddhist Abhidharma, and Jain epistemological frameworks (Dasgupta, 1991; Matilal, 1986). The phonetic complexity and semantic alignment of these forms—each oriented toward the act of knowing—suggest not merely a coincidental resemblance but a shared linguistic and conceptual heritage.
Beyond their etymological convergence, these traditions also reflect parallel epistemological concerns. In the Latin West, cognitio informed medieval scholastic debates about perception, abstraction, and intellectual apprehension, particularly in the works of Augustine and Aquinas (Kenny, 2010). In India, theories of pramāṇa (valid means of knowledge) provided a systematic account of perception (pratyakṣa), inference (anumāna), and testimony (śabda) as channels of reliable cognition (Matilal, 1986). Both traditions, in their own ways, sought to clarify how human beings come to know truth and distinguish it from error.
From Cognition to Metacognition
This cross-cultural concern with knowing naturally extends into the domain of metacognition, or the capacity to reflect on and regulate one’s own cognitive processes. Modern psychology defines metacognition as “thinking about thinking,” encompassing both monitoring (awareness of one’s cognitive states) and control (strategically guiding thought and learning) (Flavell, 1979; Nelson & Narens, 1990).
Intriguingly, premodern traditions anticipated this higher-order awareness. Several thinkers have emphasized the mind’s capacity to turn inward and recognize its own acts of knowing. Indic traditions distinguish between jñāna as knowledge and prajñā as higher discernment or wisdom—a faculty that not only knows but also evaluates and transforms knowing (Sharma S, 1998). In Buddhist thought, prajñā entails insight into the impermanent and conditioned nature of cognition itself (Dreyfus, 1997). However, in this paper, there is an effort to orient the readers with the ideas of Meta Cognition & Mindfulness and bridge their concepts and theories and see if there is any coherence with the verses from the Indian text of Shrimad Bhagvad Gita.
Meta Cognition:
Metacognition is defined as the awareness and regulation of one’s own thought processes. In simple words, its “thinking about thinking”. Martinez, M. E. (2006) in his article mentions that Metacognition serves many diverse functions. He further identified three major categories of metacognition: metamemory and metacomprehension, problem solving, and critical thinking. Although he did not limit the types of Meta Cognition to these three categories, it does communicate the broad role of the process in important cognitive endeavors. As per Lai, E (2011) Metacognition consists of two components: Knowledge and Regulation wherein Metacognitive knowledge includes knowledge about oneself as a learner and the factors that might impact performance, knowledge about strategies, and knowledge about when and why to use strategies. Metacognitive regulation is the monitoring of one’s cognition and includes planning activities, awareness of comprehension and task performance, and evaluation of the efficacy of monitoring processes and strategies.
John Flavell is believed to have coined the term Metacognition. In his paper titled Metacognition and cognitive monitoring: A new area of cognitive–developmental inquiry. Flavell, J. H. (1979) conveys that Metacognitive knowledge is one's stored knowledge or beliefs about oneself and others as cognitive agents, about tasks, about actions or strategies, and about how all these interact to affect the outcomes of any sort of intellectual enterprise. Metacognitive experiences are conscious cognitive or affective experiences that occur during the enterprise and concern any aspect of it—often, how well it is going.
Over the time, the idea of metacognition has remained close to its original meaning, though researchers describe it in slightly different ways. In cognitive psychology, it is often defined as the ability to recognize and guide one’s own thinking and learning. For example, Cross and Paris (1988) highlight it as children’s knowledge and control of their learning processes, while Hannessey (1999) emphasizes active monitoring of thoughts, regulating them for better learning, and applying strategies to solve problems. Other definitions are more concise, such as Kuhn and Dean’s (2004) description of metacognition as awareness and management of thought, or Martinez’s (2006) framing of it as the monitoring and control of thought.
Kuhn and Dean (2004) further explain that metacognition is what allows learners to apply strategies taught in one situation to a different but related context. In this way, it is frequently understood as a form of executive control involving both monitoring and self-regulation (McLeod, 1997; Schneider & Lockl, 2002). Schraw (1998) adds that metacognition consists of a broad set of skills that are not tied to one specific domain, and these skills are distinct from general intelligence. In fact, they can sometimes help learners overcome weaknesses in prior knowledge or cognitive ability when solving problems.
Key Elements of Metacognition
Most researchers agree that metacognition consists of two main components: knowledge about cognition and regulation of cognition (Cross & Paris, 1988; Flavell, 1979; Paris & Winograd, 1990; Schraw & Moshman, 1995; Schraw et al., 2006; Whitebread et al., 1990). Flavell (1979) explains that knowledge about cognition involves understanding one’s strengths and weaknesses as a thinker and recognizing the factors that affect performance. He divides this knowledge into three categories: (1) person knowledge, or beliefs about oneself and others as thinkers; (2) task knowledge, or awareness of the demands of different tasks; and (3) strategy knowledge, or knowing which approaches are most useful for particular tasks. These categories often overlap—for example, knowing that one should use a certain strategy for one type of problem but not another.
Figure 1.
Exhibits the framework of knowledge, monitoring and application.
Figure 1.
Exhibits the framework of knowledge, monitoring and application.
Mindfulness:
Mindfulness has traveled a fascinating journey—from ancient contemplative practices in Buddhist and Vedic traditions to its current place in psychology labs, therapy rooms, and even boardrooms. At its simplest, mindfulness is the practice of intentionally paying attention to one’s experiences in the present moment, without judgment (Kabat-Zinn, 1990). Sounds simple, almost obvious—yet research repeatedly shows that this deliberate awareness can reshape how we think, feel, and act.
Mindfulness refers to a state of focused awareness in which one pays attention to present-moment experiences with openness and non-judgment. Bishop et al. (2004) describe it as involving two key components: regulation of attention(sustained, flexible focus) and orientation toward experience (acceptance, curiosity, and openness). Creswell (2017) further emphasizes that mindfulness practices strengthen executive functions, reduce stress, and improve emotional balance
What makes mindfulness exciting is its ability to balance two worlds: the soft art of presence and the hard science of measurable outcomes. Studies suggest it enhances emotional regulation, reduces stress, and even improves working memory (Tang, Hölzel, & Posner, 2015). In clinical psychology, mindfulness-based interventions have become evidence-based tools for addressing anxiety, depression, and relapse prevention.
And here’s the beautiful paradox: mindfulness is not about “achieving” anything—it’s about noticing. Noticing the breath, the fleeting thought, the body’s signals. This humble noticing, however, has profound consequences. Neuroscientific research shows that mindfulness practice can alter the structure and function of brain regions linked to attention, compassion, and self-awareness (Hölzel et al., 2011).
In a way, mindfulness invites us to become curious tourists of our own minds—exploring without rushing, judging, or overpacking with expectations. That jovial curiosity, grounded in centuries of tradition and decades of science, makes mindfulness less of a trend and more of a timeless skill for human flourishing.
Merging Mindfulness with Metacognition
Apart from both the words starting from the alphabet M, there are different ways how Metacognition & Mindfulness are interrelated. Hussain, D. (2015) in his article published in Psychological Thought explores the conceptual relationship between meta-cognition and mindfulness, showing how both traditions, though developed independently, share common mechanisms like meta-awareness. In his article, he argues that integrating insights from each can enrich theoretical understanding and improve applied practices such as psychotherapy. Ultimately, the paper suggests that meta-cognition and mindfulness are complementary, and their integration may strengthen approaches to human well-being. Kudesia, R. S. (2019) reframes mindfulness as a metacognitive practice—a flexible process of adjusting information processing to fit situational demands, supported by specific beliefs cultivated through training. At the organizational level, this practice can either amplify collective transformation or contribute to fragmentation, depending on how it is enacted.
There are more studies integrating mindfulness and meta cognition. One of the remarkable exploration by Norman, E. (2017) is how mindfulness involves a special kind of metacognitive experience known as fringe consciousness—vague, transient feelings like familiarity, novelty, or rightness that reflect unconscious cognitive processes. It argues that mindfulness practice may heighten sensitivity to such subtle experiences and reshape one’s attitude toward them, making unconscious material more accessible. The study also highlights how feelings of novelty, often central to mindfulness, can be understood within this framework, offering deeper insight into its mechanisms and effects.
Integrating Meta-Cognitive and Mindfulness Approaches - from the lens of Shrimad Bhagvad Gita
The above studies clearly emphasizes that mindfulness and metacognition, though historically developed in separate traditions, share profound commonalities such as meta-awareness, cognitive decentering, and reflective regulation. While the scientific tradition of mindfulness has often drawn from Buddhist meditative practices, it is equally important to recognize that the Indian philosophical tradition, particularly the Shrimad Bhagavad Gītā, offers a profound integration of these ideas. The Gītā anticipates the very principles that modern psychology associates with mindfulness and metacognition such as presence (sākṣibhāva), regulation (yukti), detachment (vairāgya), cognitive reflection (buddhi), novelty (nava-darśana), and intentionality (saṅkalpa). To deepen this dialogue, it is illuminating to turn to the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. The Gita’s philosophical discourse between Lord Krishna and Arjuna exemplifies how mindfulness (sākṣibhāva, present awareness) and metacognition (buddhi–manas regulation, or thinking about thinking) are not merely abstract constructs but practical tools for psychological balance and spiritual growth. Here are a few perspectives that could validate this point of view.