Lessons In Mindfulness by Shalini Bahl, Ph.D.

1 of 14

Slide Notes

With a deep bow of gratitude to all the teachers at the Center For Mindfulness in Medical, Health Care, and Society at UMass Medical School and all the participants of the November 2013 Teacher Development Intensive, I share some of the lessons I learned from all of you.

It was one of the most profound experiences, being and learning with and from people who bring such dedication and authenticity to growing in mindfulness and bringing it into their communities.

I look forward to serving as an MBSR teacher and showing up fully when ever I am called upon to do so.

I can be reached at shalini@mfactor.org or you can check out the community site for people interested in mindfulness: http://mindfuluniverse.com/

Lessons In Mindfulness

Published on Nov 18, 2015

A few of the lessons I learned during my training to be a mindfulness teacher at the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at UMass Medical School

View Outline

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Reminders To Live Mindfully

Insights To Live Life With Kindness, Full Care & Attention

Photo by Dey

relating with Care

People are fragile behind the masks they wear

Dedicating this slide to my group members - Bonita, Deanna, John M, and Deborah - who helped me remember that we are all fragile and to attend to everyone with full care and attention.

Photo by D.mallory

Kindness to Self

Noticing that I am overly critical of my self

A good reminder to me and everyone else who is overly critical of his or herself.

Photo by Nina Matthews Photography

A river needs Boundaries to flow

Embracing duality-Putting in effort & letting be

We tend to lean one way or the other - either we place too much focus on planning and doing or we tend to believe in totally letting go and not doing enough preparations.

Just like the river needs boundaries to flow, I believe that in order to flow we need some boundaries. It is about embracing duality.

Photo by Stuck in Customs

being present is the 1st step & often the only Step

Noticing my discomfort around discomfort & desire to fix

This lesson is at the heart of MBSR training and an important one. Noticing our eagerness to fix things when all that is needed is being full present with the suffering.

Photo by Mohammed alalawi

"Falling is a good skill

It makes you intimate with the ground." Saki

Loved this quote I heard from Saki Santorelli and had to note it down :)

Photo by blentley

staying with the questions

Noticing my striving for answers & frameworks

Dedicating this slide to my good friend Gustavo whose heartfelt talk reminded me of this important lesson.

Very often staying with the questions instead of reaching for answers immediately offers many insights.

Photo by Alyssa L. Miller

Intimacy & Trust Grows

when people show up fully with their imperfections

It is so interesting to note that what created such a high level of intimacy among the participants was not that we are very good at what we do (which we of course are) but it was because every one showed up fully as they were, with their vulnerabilities and dedication to this work.

Photo by Bhumika.B

magic happens

when we acknowledge & work with differences in the group

Dedicated to my group - Lisa, Tim, and Rachael from whom I learned to acknowledge the differences within a group and working with them, allowed creativity and ease to flow.

Photo by gnackgnackgnack

10.

don't have to be settled to be present

We can be present while feeling anxious

Dedicating this slide to my young friend Emily who shares this insight with us.

Photo by nazareno

11.

People understand tone & Intentions

Language is important but more importantly

As a teacher I can get lost in trying to figure out the right form and language, when what people mostly take away from is the intention and tone.

Photo by Hamed Saber

12.

if someone asks for water don't hose them down

Noticing my eagerness to share & give only what is asked for

I heard this from our teacher Florence and made a note of it because in our enthusiasm to share we can give more than what the other is ready or asking for.

Photo by The Ridg

13.