~Starts March 5th & April 7th
~See Classes page for details
The Benefits of Mindfulness
Dramatic new research out of UCLA as well as other major research institutions is providing outcome data and brain imaging to document the benefits of intentionally focused attention and the mechanisms by which that state is beneficial. Mindfulness, or intentionally focused attention, is a skill developed through use and training of the middle prefrontal cortex - the part of the brain behind our forehead. When this area of the brain is regularly activated through mindfulness practice, existing connections are strengthened and new connections are made throughout the brain. Optimal functioning, which can be developed through mindfulness, of the middle prefrontal areas of the brain involve the following nine areas:
1. Physiological balance (optimal physical arousal and reactivity rather than extremes)
2. Emotional balance and development of coping with a range of emotions
3. Attuned relationships (being able to coordinate one's own state with another's emotional state, resonate with another)
4. Cope with and calm fears
5. Cognitive flexibility (developing the capacity to pause and respond rather than to react impulsively or mindlessly)
6. Greater insight (self-knowing awareness, capacity to reflect on self)
7. Greater empathy (ability to consider the experience/perspective of another)
8. Intuition (greater attunement with self, sensitivity to body-knowing "gut feelings" or "heart feelings")
9. Morality (enhanced capacity to consider consequences of our actions, consider the greater good, engage in pro-social behaviors)
Research is also showing wide-ranging applications of such brain development:
Mood Disorders - greater emotional balance and reduction of...
Anxiety, fear, panic, OCD
Bipolar disorders
Depression
Greater attention skills
Chronic medical conditions - decreased frequency and intensity of symptoms
Chronic pain, back pain, migraine
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Cancer
AIDS
Addressing issues related to trauma
To reduce symptoms and consequences of stress (work, financial, relationship, role)
To reduce sleep problems
Enhanced relationships
Increased immune function and greater resistance to disease
Obtain greater calmness, peace, contentment, creativity, acceptance, and
compassion; all qualities we associate with well-being and wellness
Performance enhancement
Addressing addictions (not in place of an inpatient program)
Spirituality; enhanced spiritual life practice
Enhanced sexuality or healing of sexual wounds
The Nature of Mindfulness
According to the American Heritage online dictionary, mindfulness means
"attentive; heedful". The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines mindfulness
as "bearing in mind or inclined to be aware." Roget's II Thesaurus provides the
following synonyms, "cautious, attentiveness: care, carefulness, caution,
gingerliness, heed, heedfulness, regard." These definitions provide clues to the
centuries old practice of mindfulness, but leave much incomplete.
Mindfulness practices have 2500-year-old roots in meditation and contemplative traditions found around the world. Mindfulness involves the simple principle of
bringing your nonjudgmental attention to your full experience in each moment. It may be a simple concept, yet it can take a lifetime of practice to perfect. Such lofty achievement is the aspiration, but the primary goal is simply the practice of mindfulness.
So why should one be "present" for his or her moment-to- moment experience?
• Reduce the suffering caused by worrying about the future and reliving/rehashing the the wounds of the past.
• The only reality we have is in this very moment.
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