meditation

Among the many types of contemplative practices, some are cognition-focused, while others are emotion-focused (for a visual representation of the many types of contemplative practice, see the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society). For example, concentrative (or breath-focused) meditation is designed to strengthen attention, enabling the practitioner to remain focused on a particular object of attention.

As I’ve been teaching various forms of contemplative practice over the past dozen years or so in different settings with a wide variety of groups, I have observed that people who practice “yoga” do not always have a sitting meditation practice, and that people who meditate do not always have a contemplative-oriented movement practice.

Do you often lie in bed unable to fall asleep? Do you regularly wake up in the middle of the night or too early in the morning? If so, you are not alone. About 1 out of every 10 adults has chronic insomnia. Insomnia causes daytime problems like feeling fatigued or being unable to concentrate. Insomnia is associated with accidents, low productivity and serious health problems.  It is also an important risk factor for depression. The most common treatment for chronic insomnia is sleeping pills.

I am sure to grow old.
I cannot avoid aging.
I am sure to become sick.
I cannot avoid sickness.
I am sure to die.
I cannot avoid death.
All things dear and beloved to me
are subject to change and separation.
I am the owner of my actions;
I will become the heir of my actions.

- Anguttara Nikaya

Perhaps the number one question asked by participants in MBSR or MBCT groups is: "Where can I go to continue to practice in a group?" The question behind the question is "How will I sustain the momentum I have built up over the past 8 weeks and continue to formally practice mindfulness?" We frequently suggest to our participants that they connect with each other to form small sitting groups. This article from mindful.org provides some nice guidelines for doing just that.

I can remember that day. I was home from college for Thanksgiving break. I had picked up my best friend for lunch; we were going shopping, and then later, out for the evening. We had quite the day planned…

Are you more aware of the "here and now?" Do you feel your developing enhanced learning skills, and your memory is improving?

If so perhaps you have participated in one of our MBSR Programs. Recent studies of MBSR participants are showing these benefits along with an increased ability to regulate emotions.

Looking for a nice introduction to how and why mindfulness might be helpful in regard to depression and anxiety? This segment from CBC's The Journal program does a great job of noting how mindfulness has become a standard approach to dealing with mood disorders and features one of the developers of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Zindel Segal talking about how it all works.

A fascinating interview with Jon Kabat-Zinn from 2009 entitled "Opening to Our Lives" by Krista Tippett of American Public Media for her program "Krista Tippett on Being." Note that there is a small excerpt (and link) on the site of Jon reading Derek Walcott's wonderful poem "Love after Love:"

Zindel Segal of the University of Toronto, lead author of a study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry that found no difference between antidepressant medication and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in preventing relapse in depress