Featured Speakers
All of the following events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted, but tickets must be reserved in advance at www.goucher.edu/tickets or by calling 410-337-6333. For a list of events for Goucher students, faculty, and staff, click here.
Mary Helen Immordino-Yang
Tuesday, February 16
7:30 p.m., Hyman Forum, the Athenaeum.
“Embodied Brains, Social Minds, Cultural Meaning: Insights for Education from Neuroscientific Research on Social Emotion and Self”
Social emotions like admiration and compassion shape how we think and act, who we become, and how we experience our own lives. Neuroscientist and human development psychologist with the University of Southern California Mary Helen Immordino-Yang will present her research on the neurobiology and psychology of emotional feelings, including their deep roots in the feeling and regulation of the body and consciousness, their propensity to heighten one’s own sense of self-awareness and purpose, and their connections to memory, cultural learning, and the development of interests and expertise. Her studies underscore the interdependence of emotion and cognition, and the necessity of understanding oneself to achieve academic excellence.
Omid Safi
Tuesday, February 23
7:30 p.m., Hyman Forum, the Athenaeum.
Click HERE to view a video of Omid Safi’s event.
“Disease of Being Busy: Peace in the Heart in a Mad World”
How did we end up with a world where when we ask each other how we are doing, the answer is usually: “I’m just so busy”? Why do we do this to ourselves? When did we forget that we are human beings, not human doings? And how do we start recovering peace in the heart, as we strive for peace in the world? Editor of Progressive Muslims: On Justice, Gender, and Pluralism and director of the Duke Islamic Studies Center Omid Safi invites us to sit with these questions. Safi has a forthcoming volume from Princeton University Press on the famed mystic Rumi.
Alicia Garza
Wednesday, March 30
7:30 p.m., Kraushaar Auditorium.
“#BlackLivesMatter with Alicia Garza”
Social activist and co-creator of the hashtag that has become the banner for this generation’s human rights movement, Alicia Garza is an established activist committed to challenging society to recognize and celebrate the contributions of all individuals, specifically black people and queer communities. The social media phenomenon of “Black Lives Matter” has become an organizing network that boasts more than 26 chapters internationally. Garza’s work has earned her various honors, and her writing has been featured in publications such as The Guardian, The Nation, The Feminist Wire, and Truthout.org. In 2015, Garza and the Black Lives Matter co-founders were honored with inclusion on The Root’s Top 100 List for the movement’s social and political impact.
To reserve tickets for this event, click here.
**Please click HERE to view the slides presented by Dr. Siegel during his visit to Goucher.
Daniel J. Siegel
Wednesday, April 27
7:30 p.m., Kraushaar Auditorium.
“Mindfulness, Mindsight, and a Healthy Mind”
Founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center and clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine Daniel J. Siegel will offer an overview of recent mindfulness findings and how practical applications can be incorporated into everyday living and professional work. Studies reveal how living with curiosity, openness, acceptance, and a love-centered state of mind promotes well-being in our relationships, mental lives, and medical health. Siegel, a widely published author and speaker, has a unique ability to make complicated scientific concepts exciting, and is the executive director of the Mindsight Institute, an educational organization, which offers online learning and in-person lectures that focus on the development of mindsight.
To reserve tickets for this event, click here.
Events
The events listed below are open to members of the Goucher community. Please read below for the intended audience (faculty, staff, or students) for each event. For a list of events that are open to the public, click here.
“Mindfulness & Masculinities: An Interactive Workshop for Men at Goucher”
With Guest Facilitator: Vincent Thomas
Friday, March 25, 2 – 5 p.m., Multipurpose Room
On the lower level of the Sports and Recreation Center
Join us for this fun and rich bonding experience for men of all ages to explore their values and negotiate consciousness around masculinity. In this workshop, men will explore verbal conversations and physical conversation around the topic of masculinity. What is it? What is it not? How did you learn about it or come to know it? What do you/will you pass on about masculinity? Participants will unearth assumptions, truths, and myths about their personal and societal views of masculinity.
Participants: Men of all ages, connected to Goucher. Feel free to bring your father or son, if he is available! Please register by clicking on this link.
Crucial Conversations Workshop
A workshop facilitated by Kim Pevia
Monday, April 4, 3:30pm – 5:30pm, Batza Room, Athenaeum
Guest-facilitated by Kim Pevia of the Lumbee American Indian Community, this two-hour workshop will help us practice mindfulness as a tool for managing our emotions and improving our communication during crucial conversations.
To sign up for this event please click here.
Mindfulness and Yoga Practice in Modernity
A Conversation with David McMahan and Pierce Salguero
Tuesday, April 5, 6:30pm – 8pm, Merrick Lecture Hall, Dorsey College Center
Join two scholars of religion as we explore the sometimes hidden ways in which Buddhist and Yogic practices have been adapted for modernity. We will explore fundamental questions about the benefits and potential pitfalls of these adaptions, and what the practical consequences are for those interested in engaging with these traditions.
David McMahan is the Charles Dana Professor of Religious Studies at Franklin and Marshall College. His primary focus is on Buddhism and modernity. More information on Dr. McMahan is available here.
Pierce Salguero is an Assistant Professor of Asian History and Religious Studies at The Abington College of Penn State University. His primary focus in on the cross-cultural study of Buddhism and Asian medicine. More information on Dr. Salguero is available here.
The event is free and open to the public, but tickets must be reserved at www.goucher.edu/tickets. Please contact justin.brody@goucher.edu for further information.
“Notice What You See and Become a Hero at Work”
A luncheon presentation hosted by AEA for staff and faculty presented by Margery Leveen Sher, ‘69
Thursday, April 7, 12 p.m., Buchner Hall/Alumni House
Margery Leveen Sher is a Goucher alum, speaker, writer, entrepreneur, and executive whose keynote presentations result in: increased focus, greater productivity, decreased stress, increased teamwork and communication, and increased readiness to laugh. Margery will teach us to notice the three keys of success – zippers, broccoli, and “human idiosyn-crazies™”. Although both Margery’s book – The Noticer’s Guide to Living and Laughing – and her motivational speaking have people “laughing until their cheeks hurt,” research in academic journals as well as articles in the Harvard Business Review have discussed the empirical fact that Noticing makes people more focused, more alert, and more productive.
Margery founded a consulting firm to assist corporations and government agencies with the development of family-friendly programs and policies –child care, elder care, telework, flex-time, etc. She successfully developed the firm for 15 years until it was acquired. She has also developed numerous non-profit organizations, and two charitable funds. In addition to her new book, she has a book and many articles on various aspects of work-life balance. She posts her weekly Noticings at www.DidYaNotice.com, and she is also an established blogger for The Huffington Post. Margery holds a Master’s Degree in Developmental Psychology from Rutgers University.
RSVP to Susan Cohen by phone X6074 or email susan.cohen@goucher.edu
“Finding Peace in a Troubled World: Mindfulness, Religion, and Contemplative Practice in Baltimore”
Thursday, April 28, 7pm, Batza Room, Athenaeum, Goucher College
What does religion have to do with mindfulness? How does the biblical direction to “Be still and know that I am God” compare to the role of Mindfulness on the Buddha’s Eightfold Path? In a world in which we are overstimulated and stressed, are meditation and various types of contemplative prayer meeting similar needs and do they function in similar ways?
Come listen to a discussion between representatives of local religious communities about the role of contemplative practice within their religious traditions. This student moderated discussion will explore the similarities and differences in contemplative practice across religious communities and the role of such practices in the contemporary context. Panelists will include:
- Gen Kelsang Chogden, Kadampa Meditation Center Maryland
- Rabbi John Franken, Bolton Steet Synagogue
- St. Teresa Irene Perkins, Episcopal Carmel of Saint Teresa
This event is co-sponsored by the Religion Program and Interfaith Club. The event is made possible through the support of the Janet J. Harris fund.
Courses
In Spring 2016, the entire Goucher community will be exploring the science, practice, historical roots, and social implications of the contemplative arts.
Faculty from various departments and programs will be teaching these courses to explore the various facets of mindfulness:
ANT 234: Religion Myth Symbol
Rory Turner
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:10am-12:35 pm
Inquiry into the thought of primitive and contemporary peoples to explore the social basis of their belief systems. The ways in which religion both reflect and create cultural reality. Myths, religious orientation and magical practices in past and present societies. Prerequisite: SOC 106 or ANT 107, or one 200-level social science course.
CBL 115: Gateway to Service
Cass Freedland and Lindsay Johnson
Wednesdays, 12:30-2:10 pm
This course will introduce students to the philosophy, theory, and best practices of academically-based community engagement. Through readings from a wide range of disciplines, students will reflect their role as thoughtful and engaged members of a community, and investigate assumptions about race, class, and privilege. In investigating the various meanings of leadership, students learn how to develop beneficial, sustainable community collaborations. Topics include the nature and meaning of leadership, building capacity for change, gaining a greater understanding of community challenges, asset mapping, ethics of leadership, perspectives on learning development, and building collaborative community partnerships. This course includes a community-based component.
EC 100: Introduction to Economics
Gina Shamshak
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9:25-10:20 am
A general introduction to the subject matter and analytical tools of economics. Intended for non-majors who would like to learn about the ways economics can be used to explain behavior and form policy. This course does not count toward the major or minor in economics. Students who have taken EC 101 and/or EC 102 may not take this course for credit. For the spring semester, this course will be taught with a contemplative pedagogy, an educational model that seeks to cultivate a deeper awareness and insight through introspection and mindful self-reflection. In addition, a section of the course will be devoted to discussing the broader economic benefits of mindfulness practices in the economy (more productive workers, happier and healthier workers, etc.)
JS 225: Kabbalah and the Art of Jewish Spirituality
Benjamin Sax
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:35-11:00 am
Jewish mysticism assumes a hermeneutic foundation that informs how Jews interpret texts. When Jews read their sacred texts, they follow the paths set before them by previous interpreters. In this course, we will follow a few of those paths. Recognizing the broader interest in Kabbalah, we start the course in the Bible, but end up in Hollywood with the pop star Madonna and others. In this course, we shall survey a variety of Kabbalistic themes, practices, and concepts by reading primary texts in translation. We shall also read secondary sources. Students will be introduced to several seminal medieval mystical texts such as “the Zohar,” “Sefer Bahir,” and “Sefer Yetzirah,” as well as to major charismatic mystical masters and their schools of thought. We will also explore the opaque mystical practices and concepts that emerged in the sixteenth century in the small Galilean town of Safed, as well as those in Eastern Europe during the rise of Hasidism. Throughout the course, we shall explore the many ways Jewish mysticism can play a role in how people conducts themselves ethically and spiritually, but also how it helps people grasp the enormity of the universe.
PHL/RLG 235: Hermeneutics and Deconstruction
John Rose
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:35-11:00 am
An overview of two current philosophical practices of mindful interpretation put forth respectively by Hans Georg Gadamer and Jacques Derrida. Both thinkers are at the forefront of the philosophical breakthrough of being “mindful” of meaning, of the ways we find meaning, create meaning, and expand meaning mindfully for ourselves and others. Examination and comparison of these practices of interpretation through their interpretation of Plato’s Dialogues.
PHL 336: Heidegger
John Rose
Tuesdays, 6:30-9:15 pm
Seminar discussion of the key texts in Heidegger’s “path of thinking” about being. We will follow Heidegger’s ways of asking the question of “the meaning of being” as it develops and changes from phenomenology to fundamental ontology in Being and Time to thought that gives itself to the mindful historical appropriation of thinking by being in Contributions to Philosophy.
PHL 339: Lyotard
Margret Grebowicz
Mondays and Thursdays, 3:15-4:40 pm
This course will introduce students to the work of late 20th century French philosopher Jean-Francois Lyotard, who is credited with introducing the term “postmodern” to critical discourse, and whose work touches on almost all aspects of contemporary culture, such as knowledge production, art, memory and testimony, gender, international human rights, history and collective experience, and education. This semester, we will explore his distinction between academic philosophy and mindful practices like thinking, writing, and especially listening. We will trace the development of his work on silence, opacity, secrecy, and the event, beginning with selections from early writings like Libidinal Ecology, Discourse, Figure, and The Postmodern Condition, continuing with the the later essays (which he called “fables”) on democracy, social life, and the future, and concluding with his posthumously published commentary on St. Augustine, Lyotard’s final musings on philosophy’s quest for truth. Prerequisites: two courses in philosophy (one at the 200- level), or permission of the instructor.
PSY 235: Cognitive Psychology
Jennifer McCabe
Tuesdays and Fridays, 1:40-3:05 pm and Thursdays, 12:40-1:35 pm
The science of Cognitive Psychology involves exploring how the human mind processes information. This includes studying how and why the human mind evolved, how it develops through the lifespan, how it accomplishes the extraordinary achievements necessary for day-to-day living, and what happens when something goes wrong. Major topics include: perception, attention, memory, imagery, language, problem solving, and decision-making. During the Spring 2016 semester, this course is part of the college-wide Theme Semester on Mindfulness. As such, students will explore the special topic of mindfulness from a cognitive psychological perspective. Prerequisites: PSY 111 or COG 110.
PSY 239: Health Psychology
Dara Friedman-Wheeler
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10:50am -12:05 pm
Selected topics relevant to the ways in which the mind, body, and behavior interact in health and disease, including health behaviors and behavior change, coping with illness, self-management approaches to physical illness, the impact of stress and coping on disease and on immune function, and the relationship between psychopathology and physical health. Course involves a community-based learning component in collaboration with Hopewell Cancer Support. Prerequisite: PSY 111. Spring semester. Offered in 2016 and alternate years.
PSY 380 Seminar in Cognitive Psychology: Cognition, Teaching, and Learning
Jennifer McCabe
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:10-12:35 am
This seminar focuses on recent developments in the field of Cognitive Psychology in relation to teaching and learning issues in higher education. Effective educators and psychologists understand a great deal about students’ mental activities, or cognitive processes, which include all the remarkable, interconnected functions of the mind, such as attending, imaging, organizing, elaborating, encoding, creating, retrieving, and problem-solving. Special emphasis is given to the impact of memory theories and research on our understanding of information processing in the context of educational experiences. Topics include working memory ability, metacognitive strategies for learning (i.e., knowing what you know and learning how to learn), mnemonic devices, teaching techniques, effective study habits, and testing issues. A central objective of this seminar is to develop strong theoretical understanding and methodological skills needed to conduct original research on these topics. During the Spring 2016 semester, this seminar is part of the college-wide Theme Semester on Mindfulness. As such, students will explore the special topic of mindfulness as applied to teaching and learning in higher education. Prerequisites: PSY 202 or 235 or 207, and 252 or 255, or permission of the instructor.
PSY 386 Seminar in Clinical Psychology: Emotion Regulation
Dara Friedman-Wheeler
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9:25-10:40 am
Explores the roles of emotion and emotion regulation in healthy psychological functioning, in psychopathology, and in psychotherapy. Topics include the development of emotion regulation, beliefs about emotion regulation, selected emotion regulation strategies (e.g., emotional expression, physical exercise, mindfulness meditation), the role of emotion dysregulation in psychological disorder and distress, and ways in which different psychotherapies address emotion regulation. In addition, emphasis is place on evaluating claims about emotion regulation using the scholarly literature. Prerequisites: PSY 271, and 252 or 255, or permission of the instructor.
RLG/SOC 212: New Religious Movements
Ann Duncan
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:25-10:20 am
This course begins with the social scientific study of new religious movements and cults: How do we define these terms? Why do these movements develop and why do people join them? We will then study a variety of such movements, focusing particularly on apocalyptic movements, claims to supernatural powers and revelations, offshoots and combinations of pre-existent religions, nature religions and new age religious groups.
RLG 240: Contemplative Practice in World Religions
Ann Duncan
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:50-11:45 am
This special topics course will explore the role of contemplative practice in eastern and western religious traditions including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and new religious movements. Through attention to primary texts from these traditions as well as field work explorations of the contemporary manifestations of these practices in the Baltimore area, students will explore the theological significance and historical context and development of quiet, centering and meditative practice in a variety of traditions and the sometimes common and sometimes deeply disparate intentions for these practices.
SOC 282: Grief, Culture, and Well-Being
John Baugher
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30-8:20 pm
In contemporary American society grief is most often conceptualized within a medical framework in terms of psychological health and dysfunction, whereas narratives of grief and suffering often invoke spiritual, communal, and transformative dimensions that cannot be contained within such a narrow conceptual framework. In this course we will draw on social scientific research on grief and emotions and various clinical approaches to understanding bereavement and healing, as well as resources from literature, poetry, music, and teachings from enduring wisdom traditions as we seek to understand under what cultural conditions and through which processes experiences of grief and suffering are linked with individual well-being and human flourishing. Through contemplative reading and reflection, analytic and exploratory writing, and discussion and other intersubjective practices, we will learn to hear and critically assess the historical and cultural assumptions that shape ways of grieving and talking about grief and practice contributing to a culture of grief that supports individual well-being and human flourishing. Prerequisites: SOC 106 or ANT 107 or permission of the instructor.
SPE238:
Curriculum for Exceptional Students: Principles and Programs
Mary Adkins
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 11:10 am-12:35 pm
Principles, programs, and challenges in teaching students with exceptional learning needs in the elementary/middle school age range with focus on the individual, task-analysis, IEP, behavioral instructional objectives, resource management, and differentiated instruction. Curriculum for students with exceptionalities will be addressed with an emphasis on using evidence based practices. Special attention will be given to the topic of Mindfulness in educational settings. Prerequisite: SPE100
Mindfulness Practices
Sundays: EMPOWERMENT AND BEYOND WITH SID YOGA for students
*This is a fee-based program that requires mandatory attendance for registered participants
A six-week self-study yoga program practicing reflection, wisdom, and peace led by Sid McNairy of Sid Yoga in Towson. Students must sign-up for the full six-week program. You must sign up for this program at the following link: https://www.wejoinin.com/sheets/bfybm. Once you are signed up, you will be sent a link for payment. Payment must be received within 24 hours to guarantee your spot.
Click for a flyer that contains full class information.
Mondays: GUIDED MEDITATION for students
*This is a free class and available on a drop-in basis
On Mondays, beginning February 8, Peejo Sehr, the Director of the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) will offer Guided Meditation for Goucher students from 3 – 4 p.m. in the ACE Lounge, Julia Rogers 233.
Breathing meditation techniques can help us overcome stress and find inner peace and balance. Meditation can also help us to understand our own mind. We can learn how to transform our mind from negative to positive, from disturbed to peaceful, from unhappy to happy. Overcoming negative minds and cultivating constructive thoughts is the purpose of the transforming meditation tradition.
Click for a flyer that contains full class information.
Tuesdays: QUAKER MEETING for students, faculty, and staff
*This requires no long-term commitment and community members are welcome to come for part or all of the time period, as their schedule allows.
A weekly period of silent meditation and prayer in the manner of the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) will be observed each Tuesday from 1-2 p.m. in the Chapel. All are welcome! For questions, contact Ann Duncan, ann.duncan@goucher.edu, VM 155.
Tuesdays: WALK THE LABYRINTH for students, faculty, and staff
Goucher’s indoor labyrinth will be available in the Heubeck Multipurpose room on Tuesdays from 7-9 p.m. You are welcome to drop-in at any point during this two-hour window of time.
No experience is necessary! Take advantage of this great opportunity to spend time breathing and clearing your mind.
Wednesdays: YOGA for students, faculty, and staff
*This is a free class and available on a drop-in basis
Margaret-Ann Radford-Wedemeyer will offer two Wednesday yoga classes per week, from January 6 through May 18.
Noon – 1 p.m., Chair yoga
2:30 – 3:30 p.m., Mat yoga
The typical location will be Buchner Hall, Alumni House.
On the following Wednesdays, yoga will be moved to the Sports and Recreation Center, Multipurpose Room: 1/20, 2/10, 2/17, 3/9, 3/23, 4/13, 5/18.
On Wednesday, January 27, yoga is cancelled.
Read More About The Facilitator and Class
Margaret-Ann is a Kripalu certified yoga teacher with over 20 years of yoga experience. She teaches Iyengar yoga that focuses on alignment and the coordination of breath while moving into and out of postures (Kripalu). Props are utilized to assist in supporting the body in various poses, and students are guided to move at their own pace while respecting their body’s needs. Some sessions will use chairs: Chair Yoga offers the same benefits of mat yoga but without having to get up and down from the floor. Plan to wear loose clothing that allows you to move freely for both chair and mat classes.
The practice of yoga stretches and tones muscles, releases chronic tension, improves circulation, and energizes and refreshes the body. When doing the poses, there is an intentional focus on the breath and utilizing it to connect the mind and the body. This intentionality results in a state of mindfulness that calms restless thoughts, cultivates concentration, supports mental clarity and confidence, and promotes self-awareness. On a spiritual level, the practice of yoga connects you to your Self, encourages self-acceptance, honors inner wisdom, and invites deep stillness.
Wednesdays: BUDDHIST MEDITATION for students, faculty, and staff
*This is a free class and available on a drop-in basis.
On Wednesday afternoons from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm during the Spring 2016 semester, Professor John Baugher (Sociology) will lead Buddhist Meditation sessions in the Undercroft of the Chapel open to all Goucher students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Shamatha (“calm abiding”) meditation will be the core practice of the group, although other forms of meditation (walking meditation, lovingkindness practice, and lojong) will also be introduced. All practices will be grounded in a Mahayana Buddhist view that emphasizes stabilizing and training one’s own mind as foundational for being of benefit in the world. Each week includes instruction on the practice as well as time for questions and discussion interspersed between short sessions of meditation. The group is appropriate for experienced meditators as well as those with little or no experience who are seeking to establish a regular meditation practice.
If you have questions about the group, please contact Professor Baugher at john.baugher@goucher.edu.
Wednesdays: MINDFUL MEALS for students, faculty, and staff
Mindful Meals will take place over dinner in Stimson on the following first Wednesdays of the month: March 2, April 6, and May 4. Several tables will be set aside for students, faculty, and staff who wish to partake in a Mindful Meal. Those who choose to participate are asked to leave their cell phone and other mobile devices in their room or backpack. Come prepared to meet someone new, engage in discussion, be in-the-moment, observe yourself and your surroundings, savor your food and contemplate its origins.
Thursdays: INTRODUCTION TO MINDFULNESS MEDITATION for students
*This is a free class and available on a drop-in basis
“Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation” is a free 8-week group hosted by the Goucher Counseling Center and open to all students. The purpose of the series is to help students establish familiarity with the principles of mindfulness and develop a solid foundation of mindfulness practice in their own lives. The group is geared towards beginners new to mindfulness, and contains both lectures and experiential exercises. Topics covered include: mindfulness basics, historical roots, new research, mindfulness of breathing, emotion regulation and distress tolerance, the “Beginner’s Mind”, mindful relationships, acceptance, and mindfulness at school. The group meets every Thursday at 6:00 PM starting on February 4, 2016. Duration is 50 minutes and location is in Athenaeum 422. Students may choose to attend any number of sessions; no RSVP is required to attend. Any questions about the group can be directetd to Doug Girard, Psy.D., doug.girard@goucher.edu.
Read More About the Facilitator
Dr. Girard joined the Goucher Counseling Center in 2015. He is a licensed psychologist, and obtained his master’s and doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University Maryland. While Dr. Girard treats a variety of psychological concerns in his clinical practice, he is also interested in the value that meditation can have for those with and without psychiatric conditions. He has been studying and practicing meditation for over 10 years.
Any Day of The Week
- Visit the Multi-faith Prayer and Meditation Space located in Conner 153, Stimson Hall.
- Walk the outdoor labyrinth between the Haebler Chapel and Mary Fisher Hall.
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Start your own Meditation practice. Here are some links to help get you started:
- Meditation 101: A Beginner’s Guide Animation – YouTube: ten minutes Vimeo animation narrated by Dan Harris
- Frequently asked questions about meditating by Tara Brach Click here to view and download the FAQ Guide. This guide is meant to be useful for all practitioners, new and experienced, alike.
- 10% Happier: Dan Harris has teamed up with Change Collective to create a http://www.changecollective.com/10-percent-happier
- e.mindful: There is a fee for this excellent site but donations are then made to the MindUp non-profit for bringing mindful curricula to K-12 schools https://life.emindful.com
- https://mindfulkids.wordpress.com This is an excellent site for resources and ideas about practicing mindfulness with kids. The site is in five different languages.
- The Greater Good Science Center at UC at Berkeley studies the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being, and teaches skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society. This site has guided meditations, up-to-date news, online courses and much, much more. http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/about
Music
If the playlist does not appear above, click here.
Mindful Music
Piano Music for a Semester of Mindfulness
Recorded at Goucher College on January 15, 2016
José Antonio Bowen – piano
Daniel Chase – engineer
The suggestion for this piano recording came a week after I broke a bone in the pinkie of my right hand, and all of the practicing and recording was done while I was recovering. This limited the reach of my hands and the amount of time I could practice. But given the theme, I decided that the acceptance of the limitation might lead to music that would not otherwise have emerged.
1. Prelude (Bowen) 5:30
Unlike violinists or others who carry their own instrument from concert to concert, keyboard players often play a different instrument at every event. While this fell out of fashion in the twentieth century, preludes or toccatas (“touch pieces”) have been used for centuries as a “warm-up.” For keyboardists. They were sometimes partially notated or simply improvised as a way both to bring the audience to attention and allow the performer to “touch” the piano a little. They also give the audience a chance to hear the themes about to come. Here, I’ve take three pieces from very different composers and this improvisation was a chance to set the mood and also demonstrate the melodic and harmonic connections in the three pieces to come.
Three Romances
2. Clara Wieck-Schumann, Romanze (in Am without opus number) (1853) 5:50
3. Claude Debussy, Valse romantique (1890) 6:15
4. Manuel Maria Ponce, Romanza de Amore (1917) 4:20
Here are three bitter-sweet romances, all in minor keys and all around very simple themes that are repeated and then complicated by the surrounding textures and harmonies: rather like most relationships. Clara Wieck was one of the great pianists of her day, but her marriage to composer Robert Schumann has obscured her talents as a composer very different from her husband. Her romance is followed by an early work by Debussy, that is often described as less impressionistic than his later works, but I hear plenty of color and swirls of emotion. Finally, Manuel Maria Ponce is a Mexican classical composer who was also deeply interested in popular and traditional songs. Ponce mostly wrote actual songs, but this piece clearly sings and would have been a lovely but sad popular song.
5. Prelude “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen” 2:48
6. Harry T. Burleigh, “On Bended Knees” Movt. 5 of From the Southland: Piano Sketches (1914) 4:27
This traditional spiritual was first published in a collection of slave songs in 1867, and several 19th-century African-American composers were inspired to create classical music arrangements of this material. H.T. Burleigh had an incredible ear for both staying simple and true to the original while creating new and now beloved arrangements. I will first play a simple version of the original spiritual and then the piano piece of Burleigh’s that incorporates it. The minor framing material is simply but a perfect contrast that beautifully sets the stage for this poignant tune.
George Gershwin:
7. Someone to Watch over Me 3:59
8. A Foggy Day 6:51
9. Embraceable You 2:24
10. Our Love is Here to Stay 4:34
11. José Antonio Bowen: Elegance in Blue 2:26
Copyright Information
Someone to Watch Over Me
IRA GERSHWIN, GEORGE GERSHWIN
Copyright WB MUSIC CORP;
WB MUSIC CORP. OBO IRA GERSHWIN MUSIC
A Foggy Day
By George Gershwin And Ira Gershwin
Copyright Wb Music Corp. O/B/O Ira Gershwin Music
And Wb Music Corp. O/B/O George Gershwin Music
Embraceable You
GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN
Copyright – WB MUSIC CORP. OBO IRA GERSHWIN MUSIC:
WB MUSIC CORP
Our Love Is Here To Stay
By George Gershwin And Ira Gershwin
Copyright George Gershwin Music, Ira Gershwin Music And W B Music Corp
Resources
On-Campus Resources
Mindfulness Library Guide:
Students enrolled in Professor Jennifer McCabe’s spring 2016 Psychology 380 course compiled this resource on Mindfulness and Education:
Online Resources:
Contemplative Pedagogy: Online resources for incorporating mindfulness in the classroom (undergraduate)
- http://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/contemplative-pedagogy/
- http://www.contemplativemind.org (see: resources and events)
- http://www.pbs.org/thebuddha/teachers-guide/
- http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/moving-multitasking-mindfulness/
- “Toward the Integration of Meditation into Higher Education” A Review of Research
Mindfulness Apps
In general apps fall into three categories. Apps can teach, remind or assist. A site that does a good job of providing apps in these categories is: http://mindfulnet.org/page6.htm#apps
Additional apps are:
- http://www.calm.com
- UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center
- Tara Brach’s guided meditations
- Contemplative Mind In Society
- Insight Meditation Society
- Smiling Mind; modern meditation for young people
- Stop, Breathe & Think
- Buddhify
- Stop, Breathe & Think – Mindfulness Training App
Online courses
- Tibetan Buddhist Meditation and the Modern World: Lesser Vehicle – offered by two University of Virginia Professors, this courses provides cultural and historical background as well as experiential insights and instruction on mindfulness meditation: https://www.coursera.org/learn/buddhist-meditation
- Buddhism and Modern Psychology – offered by a Princeton University professor, this course examines Buddhist practices through the lens of evolutionary psychology to examine the effects of meditation on the brain: https://www.coursera.org/learn/science-of-meditation
- Learn mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and improve your wellbeing and work/study performance. A free online course at the Future Learn site. https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/mindfulness-wellbeing-performance
- What is the Mind: This free online course will bring together learners and practitioners interested in how the mind works. It aims to build bridges between traditionally antagonistic approaches to understanding the mind. https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/what-is-a-mind
- Engineering Self-Reflection for Human Completion: Through self-reflection, you learn the principle and methodology to find the causes that prevent you from living freely. When you practice the methodology, you can eliminate the causes and navigate your life completely, with your free will. This course is designed for anyone who is interested in learning and practicing self-reflection. https://www.coursera.org/course/selfreflection
- The Science of Happiness. Free self-paced, online course. Sign up now and complete the course anytime before mid-summer. CEU credits possible.(UC Berkeley): http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/news_events/event/the_science_of_happiness
Off Campus Resources – Practice
- Kadampa Meditation Center is a center for modern Buddhism through offering an array of activities that are open to all: meditation classes, workshops and retreats, Buddhism for families, study programs, chanted prayers. https://meditationinmaryland.org
- Shambala Center offers daily public meditation, a core curriculum of Buddhist and Shambhala teachings, as well as training in contemplative arts. http://baltimore.shambhala.org/
- The Holistic Life Foundation runs programming for children to help them develop their inner lives through yoga, mindfulness, and self care. HLF welcomes volunteers in its afterschool programs, donations to the programming and inquires about internship opportunities. http://hlfinc.org
- Off Campus Meditation Centers For a list of Off Campus Meditation Centers click here.
Conferences
- The 12th Annual Summer Session on Contemplative Higher Education, August 7 – 12, 2016, at Smith College, Northampton, MA. This site gives all the programs for this organization – http://www.cpe.vt.edu/cptcu/
- People, Place, and Practice: Putting Contemplative Studies into Context Sponsored by the Mind Life Institute, Garrison, NY June 11-17. https://www.mindandlife.org/summer-research-institute/sri-2016/
- Mindful Life Conference, April 28-May 1, Washington, DC; http://allthingsmindful.org/#home
- Mindfulness, MOOCs, Money and Higher Education: Contemplative Possibilities and Promise: March 18-21, 2016 at Naropa University, Boulder Colorado. http://naropa.edu/academics/cace/events/mindfulness-moocs-money.php?utm_source=naropa&utm_medium=email
- Leading to Well-Being Conference: Cultivating Resilience, April 14-15, 2016, George Mason University, (Widely regarded as the region’s top conference on the intersection of leadership and well-being, our keynote speakers and presenters consult with the country’s top companies, CEOs, organizations and agencies to create meaningful and lasting culture shifts that move them to greater levels of thriving.) http://wellbeing.gmu.edu/our-programs/conferences/2016-leading-to-well-being-conference
- Webinar: Building Student Resilience – Tools and Strategies for Student Success, February 11, 1 PM , 90 minutes
College and University Mindfulness Research Centers:
- http://marc.ucla.edu/default.cfm: UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center
- http://ccare.stanford.edu/about/mission-vision/: Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education
- http://mindfulness.miami.edu/: The University of Miami’s Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative
- http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/clinical/departments/medicine/divisions/general-med/wellness/the-mindfulness-center/home.html: UVA Mindfulness center
- http://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/mindfulness/Pages/default.aspx: Center for Mindfulness at UC San Diego
- http://www.investigatinghealthyminds.org: University of Wisconsin