Mindfulness in the Modern

Classroom

Jean Mulloy Ph.D. & Natalie Keefer Ph.D.

 Overview
• Experience mindfulness
• Health and Wellness benefits
• Mindfulness in the college curriculum
• Examples and Experiences
Breathe
 Psychological Benefits
• Reduced rumination
• Stress reduction
• Boosts working memory
• Increased focus
• Less emotional reactivity
• More cognitive flexibility
 Health Benefits
• Increased immune function
• Decreased pain
 Meditation and Higher
Education
• Key Research findings-The Center for the
Contemplative mind
• Shapiro S. Brown, K. and Astin, J. 2008
• http://www.contemplativemind.org/resources/h
igher-education/syllabi
 Cognitive and Academic
Performance

• Mindfulness meditation may improve ability to

maintain preparedness and orient attention
• Mindfulness meditation may improve ability to
process information quickly and accurately
 Cognitive and Achievement
Performance

• Concentration-based meditation,
practiced over a long-term, may have a
positive impact on academic
achievement
 Development of the Whole
Person
• Meditation can support development of
creativity
• Meditation supports and enhances the
development of skills needed for interpersonal
relationships
 Development of the Whole
Person
• Empathic responses are increased with
meditation and mindfulness practices
• Meditation may help cultivate self-compassion
 Mindfulness Education: What is it
• Pedagogical practices that encourage personal growth
and learning through the cultivation of conscious
awareness of choice in ethical and relational contexts.
• Beneficial for both students and teachers
• Instill values such as humility, curiosity, open-
mindedness, empathy and caring for others (Roeser &
Peck, 2009)
 Mindfulness Practices
• Weekly in class exercises mindful drawing, listening,
yoga or sitting
• Log/journal or blog
• Active student participation
• First person investigations
• Experiential learning exercises
 Mindfulness Practices
• Designed to help students and teachers
develop clear, calm, and concentrated states of
awareness
• Beneficial for academic, athletic and
interpersonal focus
• Reduces stress and anxiety
Mindfulness Practices
 Activities: Self-reflection on Global
Interdependence
What factors have led to recent struggles in your life?
What factors have led to recent struggles in the world?
What factors impact your struggles and the struggles of
others in the world?
What choices do you make that affect the happiness of
others in the world?
Aphorisms or Quotes
We are all connected – what
affects one, affects all in the
web of life called Earth.
–Chief Seattle
 Activity for Quotes and Moral
Storytelling
• Sit quietly and relax for one minute
• Read aloud, slowly, the entire text, each person reading one or two
sentences, then “pass along” the reading to the left to the next reader.
• One minute of silence and reflection
• Share a word or short phrase in response to the reading—just give voice to
the word without explanation or discussion.
• One minute of silence and reflection
• Share what the passage means to you with your group
• Listen attentively without correcting, judging or disputing
• One person reads the short passage one last time, followed by another
minute of silence
 Moral Storytelling
The Ant and the Chrysalis
An Ant nimbly running about in the sunshine in search of food came across a
Chrysalis that was very near its time of change. The Chrysalis moved its tail,
and thus attracted the attention of the Ant, who then saw for the first time that it
was alive.

"Poor, pitiable animal!" cried the Ant disdainfully. "What a sad fate is yours!
While I can run hither and thither, at my pleasure, and, if I wish, ascend the
tallest tree, you lie imprisoned here in your shell, with power only to move a
joint or two of your scaly tail."

The Chrysalis heard all this, but did not make any reply. A few days after, when
the Ant passed that way again, nothing but the shell remained. Wondering
what had become of its contents, he felt himself suddenly shaded and fanned
by the gorgeous wings of a beautiful Butterfly.

"Behold in me," said the Butterfly, "your much-pitied friend! Boast now of your
powers to run and climb as long as you can get me to listen." So saying, the
Butterfly rose in the air, and, borne along and aloft on the summer breeze, was
soon lost to the sight of the Ant forever.
Thank you for your time