Topics Include: 1) Two definitions of Mindfulness: John Kabat Zinn and Henepola Gunaratana. 2) Varying descriptions of mindfulness: An alertness through the six sense doors; a heightened awareness of our internal and external environment; a sense of metacognition; the forces of automaticity and unconsciousness; the relation of mental health to physical health; the ability to discriminate between wholesome and unwholesome action; strengthening of our brains executive functions. 3) The basic premise of mindfulness: that we do not see the world as it actually is. The relationship between “bare awareness” and “associative thinking”. The subjective as opposed to objective nature of experience. Jeffrey Martin and our “narrative self”. 4) How does mindfulness work: Quieting the commenting judging mind. Attaining focused concentration, returning to a state of bare awareness or “pre-verbal” awareness; Seeing our experience clearly with a mind that is fully concentrated. 5) What is the result of mindfulness: Opening to the fullness of our experience through the five physical senses. Opening to the truth of our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. 6) Mindfulness and the concept of “flow”. 7) What are the benefits of mindfulness: liberation from suffering, the wisdom path. Achieving our fullest potential as human beings. Achieving a sense of presence in our lives. Seeing our interconnectedness with all other sentient beings. 8) The effect of mindfulness practice on the brain: the idea of neuroplasticity. The work of Richard Davidson. The work of Dan Siegal. 7) How mindfulness enhances our prefrontal cortex, the work of Dan Siegal. It increases our capacity for attuned communication, emotional balance, response flexibility, insight, empathy, fear modulation, intuition, and morality.
July 30, 2022
62 min.