Mindfulness Enhances Multiple Dimensions of Critical Thinking

     David Sable PhD taught university students "mindfulness practice(s) extend(ing) into journal writing, listening, inquiry, and dialogue. Taken together, this set of practices became contemplative interaction. 
     Qualitative results showed increased self-confidence, engagement with multiple points of view, and an unexpected sense of connectedness that was stronger between students who disagreed with each other than between students who found easy agreement in their interaction. 
     Quantitative results showed statistically significant gains in the average number of indicators for critical thinking dispositions appearing in student journals. 
     Students’ sense of connectedness was based on taking an uncertain journey together and risking the suspension of beliefs long enough to be challenged. Connectedness supports critical thinking that is more focused on deeper and broader understanding than winning an argument. It opens the door to respect, empathy, and compassion: reason in service of the heart."

       Sable D. "Reason in the Service of the Heart: The Impacts of Contemplative Practices on Critical Thinking." The Journal of Contemplative Inquiry 2014; 1(1): 1-22.

Peet J van Eeden, National Geographic   http://photography.nationalgeographic.com

BOTH - Hurt Child & Wise Grandparent - At The SAME TIME

     Open-hearted, alert, hypo-egoic engagement with "things as they is", no matter how they is, is doable, though of course it's a work-in-progress. A part of us can rest ("grounded"?) in this timeless, still, loving energy, with increasing stability, even while another part of us is rattled, in pain, etc.

     See: http://mindfulnessforeveryone.blogspot.ca/2014/04/526-monitoring-my-state-of-being-moment.html

Julie Fletcher, National Geographic   http://photography.nationalgeographic.com

Reality & Entitlement

     It strikes me that reality tests & stretches ad infinitum one's patience, perseverance, humility - basically forcing one into egolessness. This means accepting responsibility for everything - rather than projecting blame externally. The concepts of anicca, anatta, & dukkha describe it best. See: http://mindfulnessforeveryone.blogspot.ca/2013/01/262-psychological-flexibility-or.html

     Many of today's emerging adults were unfortunately raised as their parents' "center of the universe", catered to 24/7, self-absorbed, egocentric. This makes no sense at all in the reality I live in.
     After the enabling parents are gone, squeaky wheels will be in for a very rough ride, surrounded by other entitled squeaky wheels. A huge wake-up call is starting! Good luck!

Mauro Mozzarelli, National Geographic   http://photography.nationalgeographic.com

Exclusivism & Growing Up

     We have a huge proclivity to think - to be certain - that our current perspective is correct, true & accurate. This is so, even though most of us can recall how we felt the same certainty earlier in life, but now with 20:20 hindsight, realize how immature & silly we were.
     Personal pride & certainty is usually misguided at best. But when pride & certainty join forces with the momentum of "group think", all hell often breaks loose - mob violence against "competing religions", cult suicides, genocides, ... world wars. If my group is right, others must be wrong AND must be corrected, if not eliminated - this is 'mob mentality'.
     Mercifully, (some) people can & do outgrow this adolescent, rigid, black-and-white phase, realizing that they have many, many higher levels of self-concepts & worldviews to evolve through.
     Sadly, fear of leaving the group, fear of being shunned, fear of leaving behind the comfortable pretense of certainty, keep many otherwise intelligent, educated people stuck in such groups - even if it means having to park their minds & hearts at the door.
     Aging, especially wisely, isn't for sissies. See: http://healthyhealers.blogspot.ca/2012/03/aging-wisely.html

 

Brian Castellanos, National Geographic   http://photography.nationalgeographic.com

Feeling Useful

     The sense of "agency" - competence, being capable, "feeling useful" seems to be a very deep basic human drive. If one isn't a "jack of all trades", and few of us are, then one needs to be a "team player". If collaborating with society doesn't work out, especially if one is rejected ("shunned" usually informally) by society, then there are fringe anti-social subgroups.
     Be it in the city, country or wilderness, a human being can rarely "make it" alone. Our ancestors, traveling in small bands, may well have left behind those who couldn't keep up or who could not otherwise contribute to the welfare of the group. So the sense of having to live up to familial, tribal, ... societal expectations is a very real, very deep, inborn motivator.
     But society is also sustained, nurtured, and advanced in unexpected ways. Court jesters - today's political comedians (Bill Maher, Jon Stewart etc) - help both rulers & society see absurdities, & hopefully deal with them more creatively (than avoidance or violence). Those rejected by society or vice versa, also serve as persistent open questions - how can society evolve to become more inclusive, a more healing / nurturing home for too many "wayward children".
     Deep down, all of us care deeply about the long-term welfare of the human race and planet earth. Each of one us is an inherent part of the whole.

Qualities of the Body-Mind during Meditation

     "Our minds are bound up with our bodies, so we need to incorporate our bodies into meditative practice. In each session we will do this by first settling the body in its natural state ... 
     Be at ease. Be still. Be vigilant. These three qualities of the body are to be maintained throughout all meditation sessions."


       B. Alan Wallace. "The Attention Revolution. Unlocking the Power of the Focused Mind." Wisdom, Boston, 2006.

Tiplea Remus, National Geographic   http://photography.nationalgeographic.com

Quality of Awareness & Perception

     "By bringing non-conceptual, naked attention to whatever you are feeling or sensing, the impermanent nature of your perceptions is revealed. You witness the dissolution of that which appeared solid."     Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche

       Buddhadharma: The Practitioner's Quarterly, Fall 2012

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