Mindfulness is not "new agey" although some people who are promoting it for one reason or another (often financial in nature) may be.
Mindfulness is a meditation technique first described by the Buddha (Gotama Siddhartha) in a Pali sutta highly likely to be an accurate record of his actual teaching (see scholarship on Indian Buddhism). Although the original teaching included the component of "insight" (seeing the world as it actually is), modern Western mindfulness meditation techniques generally focus on a more basic component of Buddhist meditation that fosters relaxed attention to the moment and reduces judgmntalism. The same sort of clinical trials which test psychotherapy techniques have been applied to Mindfulness-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (MBCBT) with good results--if you believe those sorts of studies. Paul Okami ----- Original Message ----- From: Michael Britt To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 12:56 PM Subject: [tips] Mindfulness - anything to it? As it turns out, I don't live very far from a well-known, new-agey place called The Omega Institute. I've thought about interviewing some of the speakers who come there, but the kinds of workshops they have are often "out in left field" (you know, energy medicine type of thing) so I haven't. I'm just curious about this mindfulness thing that seems to be getting popular. Has anyone heard about it? I hadn't heard that it was "being introduced into school curriculums" as they say. Here is the description from Omega: ---------- Mindfulness, a meditative technique that fosters inner calm and a sense of well-being, is being introduced into school curriculums by an innovative group of leaders in mindfulness practice and education. The results are promising for both the children and those who work with them. During this weekend mindfulness retreat—for teachers, administrators, child care providers, family therapists, and parents—you will experience relief from stress and find emotional balance for yourself while learning practical ways to teach children mindfulness techniques that can help them manage the challenges of growing up. ------- Thoughts on this? Michael Michael Britt [email protected] www.thepsychfiles.com ---To make changes to your subscription contact:Bill Southerly ([email protected]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
