you’re able to fully be present with
your client and really listen to what
they’re saying you can really ad-
dress their problems and concerns
more holistically.” He sees oppor-
tunity in the integration of mind-
fulness into mediation techniques,
and believes beginning a mediation
with a mindful approach could be
beneficial in calming a tense and
emotional environment. He also
has big ideas for the Georgia Bar on
how to present mindfulness tactics
remotely to attorneys interested in
acquiring CLE credits who cannot
attend sessions at GSU.
To attorneys who are skeptical of
the practice, Chris Kanelos, the
new president-elect of the GSU
MILS chapter, would like to tackle
some common misconceptions
about being mindful. “I think the
biggest misconception…is that
it is tied to a religious practice…
mindfulness is simply paying at-
tention, on purpose, in the present
moment, non-judgmentally.” He
says others often find it takes too
much time, or is too inconvenient,
to which he replies, “Mindfulness
can also be practiced anywhere at
any time! There are many mindful-
ness meditations, and some even
include simply mindfully walking,
and eating and we all do both of
those things on a daily basis, no
matter how busy our day is!”
If you or your firm is interested in
learning more about the practice
of mindfulness, you can contact:
Austin Charles
austincharles.info/connect/
Submit a
book review
for The Atlanta
Lawyer
contact
[email protected]
Professor Charity Scott
[email protected]
And if you are someone who thinks
they do not have the time, dip your
toes and take Austin’s advice, “Close
your devices in the morning and
take 10 minutes to slowly enjoy a
cup of coffee.”
▪
The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association THE ATLANTA LAWYER
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