Purpose–The purpose of this study is to improve our understanding of bracketing, one of the most centralphilosophical and theoretical constructs of phenomenology, as a theory of mind. Furthermore, we wanted toshowcase how this theoretical construct can be implemented as a methodological tool.Design/methodology/approach–In this study we have adopted an approach similar to a qualitative meta-synthesis, comparing the emergent patterns of two empirical projects, seeking synergies and contradictionsand looking for additional insights from new emerging patterns.Findings–On a philosophical level, we have found that bracketing, as a theoretical construct, is not about theachievement of objectivity; quite to the contrary, it embraces subjectivity and puts it centre-stage. On atheoretical level, we have achieved a better understanding of Husserl’s phenomenology, as a theory of mind. Ona methodological level, we have achieved a powerful way of supplementing and/or clarifying research findings,by using a theoretical construct as a methodological tool.Originality/value–Our paper contributes to the phenomenology literature at a philosophical, theoretical andmethodological level, by offering a better understanding and a novel implementation of one of the centraltheoretical constructs of phenomenology.