Practical Mindfulness

8 replies
My consultant told me about Ellen Langer, who is a Harvard Professor and author of a couple of Internationally known books, "Mindfulness" and "The Power of Mindful Learning."

I haven't checked it out yet, but he is bugging me to get it. Looks like he may be working on a related project. He thinks it could be part of the solution to bunches of problems us human beings have.

Anybody read it?
#mindfulness #practical
  • No! I haven't read it yet!

    Let us know if you do.

    That would be an interesting post I'll bet.

    Practically speaking. . . .

    LLS
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    • Profile picture of the author Yogini
      Mindfulness is rooted in eastern philosophy and was popularized by John Kabat-Zinn in the US. He has done a lot of work to help manage pain, anxiety and depression. It's connected to being present, watching your mind and not buying into every reaction we get emotionally. I am not sure if this is connected to Langer's work or not. I incorporate some of the techniques into psychotherapy sessions and it helps people to not buy into their thoughts as much as when they first came in.

      Debbie
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      • Profile picture of the author Royhammy
        Haven't read the book, but talked to my consultant, who did the reading for me, for now.

        Langer's Mindfulness is about the day-to-day stuff. From what I gather, the idea is that there are all these small things you do automatically, and if you are not mindful, they have practical consequences that can mess you up, not like burning your hand on a stove so much, but more subtle stuff. I think her work started with older people and how their lack of mindfulness made them age more just because they expected it. So if they are mindful about what they do to be old, they can change and do things that make them younger. Amazing results, supposedly in just a few weeks.

        He mentioned that she is coming out with a two-volume set of articles by well-known authors called Mindfulness East and West.

        Originally Posted by Yogini View Post

        Mindfulness is rooted in eastern philosophy and was popularized by John Kabat-Zinn in the US. He has done a lot of work to help manage pain, anxiety and depression. It's connected to being present, watching your mind and not buying into every reaction we get emotionally. I am not sure if this is connected to Langer's work or not. I incorporate some of the techniques into psychotherapy sessions and it helps people to not buy into their thoughts as much as when they first came in.

        Debbie
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        Royce H.
        Health Coach, Alternative Healing and Medicine Expert
        Member, ULEV Partnering Group

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  • Profile picture of the author Royhammy
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    • Profile picture of the author ArticleWritingUSA
      I have recently completed a meta-analysis of mindfulness and the effect on weight loss. Mindfulness-based weight loss interventions seem to be a newer area of research but I was still able to compile enough studies to get some preliminary data. Overall, a moderately positive effect.

      Would definitely be interesting to learn about the relationship between mindfulness and learning. My personal anecdotal observation is that I have to be very much in the moment without distractions for real learning to occur.

      Let us know what you discover!

      Amanda
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  • Profile picture of the author Evocess
    Haven't read that book but it seems to be very interesting.
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  • Profile picture of the author carnal
    I have not read these books yet, I will definitely check these books out.
    Ellen Langer is quite a great author if I am not wrong.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ionizing Ideas
    Just downloaded it. Great Start. Hopefully the rest would be worth the time. Thanks for the share man!
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  • Profile picture of the author Gary Ning Lo
    Haven't read it..

    But if its bugging you just purchase it.. Only a couple of bucks.. And i'm sure you'll learn at least something from it

    Cheers,

    Gary
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