the mindfulness movement Flashcards
what is mindfulness?
being solely focussed on the present Moment.
who is John Kabat Zinn?
a biologist who founded mindfulness based stress reduction
what is mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR)?
paying attention, on purpose in the present moment.
how is MBSR used in medicine?
created MBSR program, using body scans, breathing “checking in”
used to treat chronic pain, mental health, strengthening immune system
how is it used in the military?
taught mindfulness to pre-deployment Marines.
helped them think and make ethical decisions, less PTSD. help them to decide when not to take life
how is Mindfulness used in education?
schools mindfulness project trains teachers, improves student attainment and mental health
how is mindfulness used in business?
many businesses such as apple, google and general mills have hired mindfulness coaches to promote well being to reduce sick days and time off and to increase productivity
which book of Thich Nhat Hanh spread mindfulness in the west?
he published his book the Miracle of Mindfulness in 1979, which explained breathing meditations and meditating on the 5 skandas
how did Thich Nhat Hanh spread mindfulness in the west?
founded Plum Village in France in 1982, which is a buddhist community who teach mindfulness tasks
what is the story of apple juice?
when apple juice is first poured it is cloudy, but leave it to settle and it becomes clear. this is like the mind which must settle in order to become clear
what does Thich Nhat Hanh say about acts of enlightenment?
“even the simplest acts can become an act of enlightenment”
what are the arguments for mindfulness being buddhist?
- it is one of the threefold trainings, based on the teachings of the buddha
- it is used to promote well being, in accordance with metta and reducing dukkha
what argument does Slavoj Zizek put against mindfulness movement being buddhist?
he argues that the mindfulness movement is not compatible with buddhist principles such as rejection of greed. he claims modern mindfulness is “capitalisms perfect supplement”. and mindfulness functions as the “opium of the people” allowing us to cope with capitalist society
what argument does Arjan Brahm put against mindfulness movement being buddhist?
argues it is not a true reflection of buddhism as it only focuses on one of the threefold trainings. he also asks is it a reflection of buddhist principles that soldiers are being trained to kill mindfully.
he argues we should develop kindfulness which would ensure mindfulness used for compassion
