Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with mindfulness

Seeking Observing Ego

77144 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:42:05 -0800

Reaching the observing ego has been elusive recently when months ago it wasn't. I'm not pushing for it, just waiting. Even after 45min sit, it is more common to find emptiness. Suggestions?

Self-destruction and the struggle against depression

Aleatoire — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:37:06 -0800

What are we fighting when we fight against depression? A psychologist recently offered the following comment that struck me as a potentially constructive (read: not self-destructive) way of conceptualizing the strong sense of sorrow, solitude and of depersonalization that have me dwelling on death with unnerving frequency and concreteness: namely, that I should take care to not think and treat depression as separate and distinct, as if this gnawing and piteous feeling were something that eroded and displaced the self, to be "struggled against" (as the common expression goes) and opposed.

After this suggestion, I have come to suspect that the analogy of antagonism has done a particular disservice in the domain of mental disorders, when both the adversaries and the arena are aspects of myself. Further reflection brings the realization that what language I have to understand and express emotions is not only limited but seems to be limiting my own ability to cope with negative feelings and beliefs.

What follows, then, is this question: what other analogies are available? what modes of relating could I draw from that are not antithetical, to stop this "struggle against" depression and put an end to self-sabotage?

(Although I recognize that there are physiological components to depression, the fact that at my lowest of lows I feel acutely disconnected from myself and from my surroundings tells me that I could benefit from some kind of perceptual shift, beginning at how I conceive depression as a problem. If you disagree, and think that this is fruitless whimsy, then I would be equally grateful for your thoughts.)

Tools for Self-Awareness

anelsewhere — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 10:08:31 -0800

Please help me brainstorm: how can technology be used to increase, otherwise augment,or lead to greater self-awareness in the real (non-virtual) world? I'm putting together a presentation around what I perceive to be a growing trend in Human Computer Interaction: systems that help us to become more self-aware, or at least help us to understand the hidden consequences of choices that were once invisible. I'm particularly interested in the area of personal health and wellness but I'm not parochial in this respect. I'm still exploring this idea, but I believe that we see some examples of this wellness applications like Nike+, Wii Fit, in goal-tracking applications, in most anything which encourages the user to become more self-aware or self-actualized, especially in terms of making and living up to conscious choices.

Can you help me flesh this idea out? Either through providing examples of what you see are pieces in the puzzle, real-world examples of what has personally helped or not, and other things I may be missing in this theme.

All comments, even tangential, are appreciated.

To sleep? Perchance to sleep?

MaddyRex — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:32:56 -0800

Dear Type A personality, what helps you ward off insomnia? One of my best friends has terrible insomnia. She's had it on and off her entire life, and recently it's been ON. Here are the facts:

On the plus side
1. She has a very healthy lifestyle: no drugs, very little alcohol, good eating habits, regular exercise.

On the con side
1. She just started a new job, which she loves, but it's a very high pressure job with real life or death consequences for the people she's helping, and she's very worried about doing well at it, making the right decisions, and making a good impression on her boss.

2. She has a tendency to knock herself down, especially when she can't get sleep. She sees having insomnia as a personal failing, which she knows is stupid, but it's a little voice she can't get rid of. Obviously that keeps her awake as well.

3. There's a good chance it's genetic, as her father (now deceased) had the same thing.

4. She takes Adovan occasionally for insomnia-related anxiety (I'm skeptical of this; I don't know if it's really indicated for that).

5. She's a Type A and also really not into the feel-good New Age stuff about mindfulness, meditation, yoga. Believe me, I've tried to bring this up with her.

Sigh. I personally think the major issue here is her crazy idea that insomnia some kind of moral failing, since she just starts hating on herself when she can't fall asleep and that exacerbates the issue. Obviously it would also be nice to get her to sleep in the first place.

Pharmacologically, I know some people take melatonin, and I've thought of recommending this to her, though I've never used it myself. Have any of you had luck with that?

So I guess there are a couple questions here: what do you do, in terms of drugs/sleep aids you take and things you do? How do you stop this cycle of late-night self hate?

Thanks! Looking forward to replies.

Integrating CBT and mindfulness

Gordion Knott — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 06:47:19 -0800

Can cognitive behavioral therapy be reconciled with mindfulness into a single, integrated approach to the world? Cognitive behavioral therapy proposes that our minds distort or corrupt our view of reality with unrealistic, negative perceptions of our world. CBT encourages the use of talk therapy and systematic exercises to readjust our thinking so that it conforms more closely with reality.

Mindfulness, primarily a meditative skill in many schools of Buddhism, is based on the idea that the activity of the mind itself, regardless of the content of our thoughts, leads to dissatisfaction (sometimes called "suffering"). Thoughts, be they positive or negative, trick us into assigning permanence to our ever-changing, ever-fading reality. Mindfulness, a disciplined activity that usually occurs in meditation, is a system whereby we observe the thoughts in our minds without judging them. In doing so, we gradually learn to separate from and let go of our thoughts.

Can these two practical philosophies be integrated into a systematic approach to the world, and to the everyday problems we confront as we go about our lives?

Who was this peripatetic observer of suburbia that I heard on NPR so long ago?

jquinby — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:29:15 -0800

I heard a story on NPR some time ago, and am having no luck finding it now. It was about a man, possibly a professor of architecture, who taught students how to mindfully walk and study the suburban landscape. Who was this person? ...and when I say 'some time ago', either on Morning Edition or All Things Considered.

My google-fu has failed me, as has a search of NPR's site. The story seemed specifically about these walks he would make with his students, pointing out things in the landscape and visible infrastructure that might be otherwise missed.

In one case, he pointed out some interesting things about the overhead power/phone/cable lines.

In another example, he pointed out that surveying flags were starting to pop up alongside old railroad lines and in other areas. From this he made some predictions about future development of these (apparently) long-neglected areas.

Does this ring any bells with anyone? Who was this man, and where can I learn more about him? Was it possibly Christopher Alexander? My impression from memory was that interviewee was somewhat older, and I don't recall him speaking with any sort of accent. He may have been either a professor of architecture, or possibly urban planning.

It seems to have been one of those stories that stuck with me for a long time, because it has since changed the way I observe the man-made objects in my local area - overhead wires, pipelines, rail lines, oddball antennas, and so on. It's gnawed at me since that I don't know who this was.

Anti-anxiety options are giving me fits

Anonymous — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 07:10:16 -0800

Questions about mindfulness CBT and biofeedback. Recently my medical professional and I determined that my sustained attention problems may not be adult ADD as originally hypothesized and may more likely be an anxiety disorder manifesting in some atypical ways. I have enrolled in mindfulness + cognitive behavioral therapy. I also have access to (I am a student) relatively inexpensive biofeedback facilities on campus that are aimed at reducing stress, anxiety, and increasing focus. Would it be "overkill" to engage in both simultaneously and/or would I get different benefits from both? I know you are not doctors, but I'm curious here.

Which symbol represents mindfulness?

koenie — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 08:20:17 -0800

I'm looking for a symbol that represents mindfulness, as in "awareness of the present moment without conceptualizing it or adding anything to it". So far I've come up with the following ones:

A bodhi leaf. However, this seems to be linked to the Buddha reaching enlightenment. Even though his teachings aren't really religious, I'd like to avoid the Buddhist connection.

An eye. However, vision is only one way of experiencing reality; I'd like to have a symbol that encompasses all senses.

Any suggestions?

Exploring mindfulness

raheel — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 13:11:21 -0800

What is a good book/article on mindfulness in everyday life? I am becoming a big fan of mindfulness. It has helped me look at thngs more objectively, specially some anxiety issues as well as becoming more aware of my environment and how I interact with it. I read Jon Kabat's book and also Mindfulness in Plain English. Liked the earlier much more, specially because of the fewer Buddhist remarks. Also read Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now, and found him well intentioned but a bit over the top and repitetive.

Now I am looking for some definitive books on he subject, not necessarily with therapeutic intentions, and if possible without too many Buddhist connotations. Works of research in this field (will this be straying into cognitive science too much) would be welcome as well.