thinkLA An Introduction to Mindfulness 2014 Allen Weiss Presentation Slides

Mindfulness- Effectiveness, Leadership, Happiness -

w/ allen weiss

Mindfulness Works

Reduced rumination

Stress reduction

Less emotional reactivity

Boosts to working memory

Aids creativity

More cognitive flexibility

http://www.mindfulexperience.org http://biomind.usc.edu/

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/meditation/http://www.wisebrain.org

Why Companies ProvideMindfulness Training

• Improves workplace effectiveness, leadership, and happiness through:

– More emotional intelligence

– Increased clarity of thinking

– More productive collaborations

– Lower health care costs

Documented by anExplosion in Medical Research

Black, D.S. (2014). Mindfulness-based interventions: An antidote to suffering in the context of substance use, misuse, and addiction. Substance Use & Misuse, 49(5):487.

And It’s Very Popular Right Now

What If You Could…?

• Work in a crazy environment, with deadlines looming…

• And have the motivation to work towards goals and achieve higher performance…

• But without stress, self-judgment and anxiety?

• You can – with mindfulness!

What is Mindfulness?

Awake – knowing what is happening right now

Are You Awake?

• Probably not! Mostly in the past or future

– Rehashing and rehearsing stories

What’s So Great About “Now”?

What is Mindfulness?

Awake – knowing what is happening right now

Open – receptive and non-judgmental to your experience

You heard it correctly…

Mindfulness Creates New Habits

• To balance out our human tendency to alwaysinstantaneously react

• So you habitually “respond” instead of “react” when necessary

What is Mindfulness?

Awake – knowing what is happening right now

Open – allowing what is happening right now to be – “letting be”

Kind – responding with self-compassion with whatever arises

Let’s Practice Being Mindful

What is Mindfulness Again?

Awake – knowing what is happening right now

Open – receptive and non-judgmental to your experience

Kind – responding with self-compassion with whatever arises

3 Common Questions

Do I need to be mindful 24x7?– No, unless you are a monk

Will mindfulness make me be a “doormat”– No, with mindfulness you will make more skillful

decisions

I’ve been practicing for 2 weeks now, and things haven’t gotten better…what gives?– Be patient – the way to practice is without

expectations

Mindfulness of Emotions

Why did she say that?

I’m a horrible person!

This is the story of my

life!

Mindfulness of Thinking

We regard our thoughts as important!!!

– They take over our attention

– We believe they define who we are

– We get hooked into the content of our thoughts

• the stories they tell us

• the meaning they weave out of our experiences

Thought

Thoughts and Thinking

In meditation, most thoughts arise and pass away

- Like clouds in the sky

When you find yourself jumping on a “thought train”

- Turn your attention towards the “process” -> thinking

Cultivating Kindnesswith Purposeful Thoughts

• May I be free from [fear and anxiety]

• May I be deeply peaceful

• May I live my life with a sense of ease

• May I accept myself completely, just the way I am

Thank you

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