Mindfulness is the new millennium health hustle. Mindfulness is touted as being a cure all for a variety of health issues such as stress, depression and anxiety. But that is not all mindfulness is touted for, Mindfulness is said to strengthen the immune system, and improve relationships with family and strangers. Yet, there is more, mindfulness is said to change the brain in a positive way, it increases brain matter, make music sound better, make you a better person, help the elderly feel less lonely, fight obesity, and help you sleep better ("Mindfulness Meditation Benefits: 20 Reasons Why It's Good For Your Mental And Physical Health," n.d.). But it doesn’t stop there, mindfulness is said to treat heart disease, lower blood pressure, reduce
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So what? Watching television also shows changes in brain scan images. Mindfulness is a touted as a therapeutic technique defined as a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. But part of the problem is that this is just one of the many definitions of Mindfulness. Another definition is the state of active, open attention on the present. Or if those definitions don’t suite you, another definition is to pay attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmental. Consequently, while attending a mindfulness session no one was capable of explaining to me want mindfulness really was about. As a matter of fact, mindfulness is usually instructed by an individual that has not been trained or licensed by any government regulating authority. With $320 and completion of a three month training program anyone can become a certified mindfulness based stress reduction trainer ("About the Institute," n.d.). Also during a mindfulness session that I attended the instructor was constantly telling me how I should be feeling. If I am being mindful, why would I need someone to tell me …show more content…
Mediation is not a new phenomenon, it has been around for years but it has been repackaged and has a new face for the ne millennium. That face is now being peddled as mindfulness. It has a new life on shelves of bookstores and the pages of dubious websites in the form of books and DVDs’ designed to give you a sense of well being all for the very low price of $19.99. And for those that need that one on one hands on instruction, that too can be obtained for a fee. Mindfulness therapy not only takes financial advantage of people but it also endangers the health of individuals that fail to seek proper medical attention due to their belief in the miracle of mindfulness. Yes, the power of suggestion has its limitations. Critical thinking is thinking without bias. It is an objective evaluation of information. The best way to achieve an unbiased evaluation of information is to have supporting evidence in the form of experimental data. A double blind experiment is an example of an unbiased evaluation of data. Unfortunately most of the health benefits of mindfulness are not supported by using this scientific methodology. The success of mindfulness relies heavily on its ability to convince people of its effectiveness through the power of belief. One should strive to be mindful and not mindless when contemplating
So what? Watching television also shows changes in brain scan images. Mindfulness is a touted as a therapeutic technique defined as a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. But part of the problem is that this is just one of the many definitions of Mindfulness. Another definition is the state of active, open attention on the present. Or if those definitions don’t suite you, another definition is to pay attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmental. Consequently, while attending a mindfulness session no one was capable of explaining to me want mindfulness really was about. As a matter of fact, mindfulness is usually instructed by an individual that has not been trained or licensed by any government regulating authority. With $320 and completion of a three month training program anyone can become a certified mindfulness based stress reduction trainer ("About the Institute," n.d.). Also during a mindfulness session that I attended the instructor was constantly telling me how I should be feeling. If I am being mindful, why would I need someone to tell me …show more content…
Mediation is not a new phenomenon, it has been around for years but it has been repackaged and has a new face for the ne millennium. That face is now being peddled as mindfulness. It has a new life on shelves of bookstores and the pages of dubious websites in the form of books and DVDs’ designed to give you a sense of well being all for the very low price of $19.99. And for those that need that one on one hands on instruction, that too can be obtained for a fee. Mindfulness therapy not only takes financial advantage of people but it also endangers the health of individuals that fail to seek proper medical attention due to their belief in the miracle of mindfulness. Yes, the power of suggestion has its limitations. Critical thinking is thinking without bias. It is an objective evaluation of information. The best way to achieve an unbiased evaluation of information is to have supporting evidence in the form of experimental data. A double blind experiment is an example of an unbiased evaluation of data. Unfortunately most of the health benefits of mindfulness are not supported by using this scientific methodology. The success of mindfulness relies heavily on its ability to convince people of its effectiveness through the power of belief. One should strive to be mindful and not mindless when contemplating