Mindfulness: A doorway to the Human Curriculum

Transcription

1 Mindfulness: A doorway to the Human Curriculum Allan Donsky MD Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary Adjunct Professor, Department of Child and Youth Studies, Mount Royal University. Cbelearn Parents December 10, 2014

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3 Stuff to look at Today What Mindfulness is and isn t An awareness of modes of being and their influence on the quality of our experiences How are we being when we are doing what we are doing? What role could it have a role in the lives of teachers and students?

4 Where should we start? We are called human beings How many of us have been taught how to be? What is our most valuable asset? There is no health without Mental health

5 An age of continuous partial attention

6 Where are you? Past (Not here) FOMO Future (Not here)

7 Getting to know our minds Seeking and clinging to pleasant Avoiding and pushing away unpleasant ( anger, sadness, sexual urges, repressed or suppressed memories, unacceptable thoughts) Restless Sloth Anxious Judging unworthiness of self or others

8 Mindfulness : A Path to becoming more fully Human Attention Awareness Choice Intention Wiser state of Mind Wiser Action Better Outcome

9 Challenges to being Mindful No evidence Too subjective Misconceptions I don t like meditation No reason or purpose Confusing: It is an end in itself (Way of being) and a means (Tool) to an end

10 Mindfulness is not. Meditation Philosophy Seeking bliss Escaping pain Having a blank mind Withdrawing from life Becoming emotionless Watered down Buddhism Focusing or concentration

11 Jon Kabat-Zinn Moment to Moment, On purpose, Nonjudgmental Awareness, Attention Formal and Informal and intensive practice. An awareness of one s conduct and the quality of one s relationships, bother inwardly and outwardly, in terms of their potential to cause harm, are intrinsic elements of the culture of mindfulness Jon Kabat-Zinn 2011

12 Dan Siegel Richard Davidson

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15 Spirituality is a constellation of practices that awaken the Heart and Mind. Essential Spirituality Roger Walsh

16 How does Mindfulness fit with Social/Emotional development? Discipline Competent Citizens Positive Behavior Anger Management Social Skills Mental Health Curriculum Trauma informed practice Emotional Wellbeing Character Development Mindfulness is the First step

17 Elements of Mindfulness Trust Patience Curiosity Presence Vigilance Attention Letting Go Awareness Acceptance Non Striving Observation Not Knowing Engagement Non Judgment Beginner s Mind Non Attachment

18 What has Mindfulness got to do with my work? Mindfulness Quality of teaching Noticing Empathy Reasoning Compassion Technical skills Self care Self-monitoring Stress navigation Adaptability Flexibility

19 Mindfulness invites a healthier Relationship: Connect before you direct Thou What is going on for this this child now? What does this child need now? What is most called for now? Me What am I doing? How is my ego getting in the way? What will they learn from my reaction? What are the results of what I am doing? The value of I don t know 19

20 Life is simple.not easy Moments Autopilot Thoughts Feelings Mindfulness embraces it all Actions (Helpful, Neutral or Unhelpful)

21 John was on his way to school.

22 John was on his way to school. He was worried about the math lesson.

23 John was on his way to school. He was worried about the math lesson. He was not sure he could control the class again today.

24 John was on his way to school. He was worried about the math lesson. He was not sure he could control the class again today. It was not part of a janitor s duty.

25 Moment to Moment What is Mindfulness? On purpose Nonjudgmental Awareness Attention

26 Examining the Activities of an Average Day What nourishes me? What increases my sense of being alive and being present? What drains me? What decreases my sense of being alive and present?

27 Life is simple.not easy Moments Autopilot Thoughts Feelings Mindfulness embraces it all Actions (Helpful, Neutral or Unhelpful)

28 Life is simple.not easy Moments Autopilot Thoughts Feelings Mindfulness embraces it all Actions (Helpful, Neutral or Unhelpful)

29 The Other 3 R s Dr. Dan Siegel Reflection Relationship Resilience Not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts. (Einstein)

30 Reflection How many of us are good at everything?

31 Awareness of Reality Domains of functioning Academic Behavioral Cognitive Developmental Emotional Family Physical Social Spiritual

32 Adjectives used to describe students Sneaky, Lazy, Rude, Selfish, Avoidant, Stubborn, Annoying, Defiant, Demanding, Manipulative, Oppositional, Attention seeking diagnosed with.. What effect do these words have on you? 32

33 School can be an Institution for the entire Human Curriculum 35 hours a week There is more than academics To be effective and competent, need to be Mindful Uniquely placed to offer Mindful / Heartful practices Can we respond differently and more effectively to the challenging moments?

34 Relationship Attuned to self and Attuned to others Appropriate responses are more likely to arise with a full experience of what is going on

35 Resilience Equanimity Reduction of fear Response flexibility Sense of well being Confidence in one s abilities Self regulation in the service of the moment Connect past, present and future in a positive way

36 Moment to Moment What is Mindfulness? On Purpose Nonjudgmental Awareness Attention

37 Resilience :Mindup results Well Being 2/3 Increased Happiness 78% more relaxed. Academics Improved Math Achievements Social Behavior 90% of felt they get along better. 64% Increased Empathy 56% Increased Social Acceptance 56% of all students reported greater peer acceptance. Emotion 58% Increased Compassion 58% tried to help one another more often. 81% Improved Self-Concept 81% of learned to make themselves happy. 82% Improved Optimism Executive Function 75% Improved Planning and Organization 30 % Increased Emotional Control 54% Increased inhibitory response

38 Performance How much do I push? Breaking point Peak Fight Flight Freeze Push Back off Stress

39 Mindfulness : A Path to becoming more fully Human Attention Awareness Choice Intention Wiser state of Mind What are those better outcomes? Relationship with Self and Others Self Care Human Curriculum Domains of functioning Quality of experience Wiser Action Better Outcome

40 Student Quotes I just knew I had to do it It is ok to be different I learned that listening is important You should not try if it is not possible I learned that some things are not meant to be and that is ok I would like to learn how to get and keep good friends I have the power to choose how I feel. Now I think I will have better days at school It helps me let people know how I feel without getting worked up This is the first time I have felt calm at school I don t need to get on the A train My feelings are real but they don t always tell me the truth

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42 Stuff we looked at Today What Mindfulness is and isn t An awareness of modes of being and their influence on the quality of our experiences How are we being when we are doing what we are doing? What role could it have a role in the lives of teachers and students?

43 Resources garrisoninstitute.org

44 Resources cont. Kaiser Greenland,Susan, The Mindful Child, Simon and Schuster,NY,NY 2010 Schoeberlein,Deborah, Mindful Teaching and Teaching Mindfully:A Guide for Anyone Who Teaches Anything Wisdom Publications, Somerville, MA,2009 Greco, Laurie, Acceptance and Mindfulness Treatments for Children and Adolescents, Oakland,CA, 2008 Biegel,G, The Stress Reduction Workbook for Teens, New Harbinger Publications, Oakland,CA, 2009 Brady, Richard, and Irene McHenry Tuning In: Mindfulness in Teaching and Learning, Friends Council on Education, Philidelphia, PA,2009 Professional Training:

45 Websites Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) (.b Stop, Breathe, Be ) (Mindfulness in Education Network ) Sonnabend Lecture by JKZ ( Short video on creativity ) 45

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