Introduction - Weeks 1-3 - Mindfulness Lesson Flashcards (Version 1)
What are the five major goals of mindfulness practice?
Less suffering, greater fulfillment, knowing yourself at a deeper level, behavior change, and developing the spirit of loving service
How can mindfulness help you know yourself at a deeper level?
By increasing your awareness of your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations
What is the spirit of loving service?
The willingness to help others without expecting anything in return
What is the connection between reality and the universe?
That they are both essential and valid
What does it mean to experience your essential goodness?
To connect to the universe and to your essential validity
What is mindfulness?
The act of intentionally paying attention to the present moment without judgement
What are some benefits of mindfulness?
Increased awareness, decreased stress, and improved focus
How can mindfulness be practiced?
At any time, anywhere, while doing anything
What are examples of activities that can be used to improve balance?
Yoga, martial arts, and spiritual dancing
What is the origin of mindfulness?
From both Western and especially Eastern (Zen) meditation and spiritual practices
How is mindfulness learned?
By practicing and observing
What is a reasonable mind?
The part of you that plans and evaluates things logically
What is an emotion mind?
A state where our thoughts and behavior are controlled by our emotions
What are the consequences of being in an emotional mind?
Impulsive decisions and actions
How can you balance your emotions with reason?
By using logic and thinking things through before acting
What is the wise mind a combination of?
An emotional mind and a reasonable mind
What is the difference between observing and describing?
Observing is sensing or experiencing without describing or labeling the experience
What is the purpose of describing?
To use words to represent what you observe
What is the difference between judgments that discriminate and those that evaluate?
Judgments that discriminate discern or analyze whether two things are the same or different, whether something meets some type of standard, or whether something fits the facts. Judgments that evaluate judge someone or something as good or bad, worthwhile or not, valuable or not
What is the purpose of taking a non-judgmental stance?
To describe reality as ‘what is’, without adding evaluations of ‘good’and ‘bad’ or the like to it
How do you focus on one thing at a time?
By being mindful of what you are doing in the present moment and not being distracted by other thoughts or stimuli
What does it mean to do what works effectively?
Doing what moves you closer to your longterm goals
What is the aim of nonjudgmentalness?
To let go of judgments that evaluate as good and bad
What is the purpose of being nonjudgmental?
To avoid making assumptions about others
