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April 2015
videos, community resources
and even on-line courses. These
approaches are most helpful when
they involve face-to-face class time
with a defined cohort group that
studies and practices together over
several weeks with home-practice
assignments between classes, personal access to a trained teacher
as the need arises and ongoing
support once the class series ends.
Careful screening before signing
up for these educational self-care
classes is designed to identify
individuals who need professional
counseling services due to the
severity of their symptoms.
Mindfulness is a naturally
occurring human experience. We
have all had undistracted, focused,
mindful moments associated with
such common activities as physical activity, sports, interacting
with children and pets, being in
nature, listening to music, reading, watching movies, meditating,
prayer and other contemplative
practices. Jon Kabat-Zinn, the
originator of MBSR, defines mindfulness as “paying attention, on
purpose, in the present moment,
without judgment.” He sometimes
adds, “As if your life depends on
it.” Mindfulness as a therapeutic
intervention involves consciously
focusing one’s attention with the
intention to do so with curiosity,
inquiry, openness and acceptance.
Cultivating this ability can lead to
wiser, healthier ɕ