Mindful Meditation---A Different Way to Put On Your Thinking Cap (Updated)

"Mindfulness", a type of cognitive practice derived from Buddhist meditation, is receiving a lot of press with good reason.

With training, an individual gradually learns to focus attention on one's breath, body and thoughts from a nonjudgmental stance of awareness. If the practice is made daily (for even a few minutes at a time) a new ability emerges to live without the encumbrances of past and future worries.
Research is finding that mindful meditation practice can improve mood, reduce inattention problems in adults and teens (e.g. ADHD), lessen anxiety, decrease chronic pain and even improve relationships!

Mindfulness training is available in many forms and formats--from your local yoga studio to Wikipedia's "How To" section to a free master class with one of the most noted practitioners and teachers, Jon Kabat-Zinn. (The folks at Google posted his hour-long lecture/demo on You Tube as a public service!)

Mindfulness Apps are available (and many are free) for smartphones of all kinds.
Read the reviews carefully to see what is right for you on
GooglePlay,
Aptoide for Android,
Itunes or
Samsung Galaxy Apps

Additionally, as a service for their student body, UCLA and other universities post useful links for free guided meditations and podcasts that can start you on your way.


I've posted the links below with all the specifics.
Let me know what you think......



Jon Kabat-Zinn's demonstration class on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nwwKbM_vJc

Wiki's How-To Instruction:
http://www.wikihow.com/Practice-Mindfulness-%28Buddhism%29

UCLA Student Health: Free Guided Meditations
http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22

UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center Podcasts:
http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=107

The Free Mindfulness Project
http://www.freemindfulness.org/download


A Sampling of Great Blogs summarizing new Mindfulness scientific research
(some are more technical than others, but all have some less jargony postings)

http://www.scientificmindfulness.com

http://mindblog.dericbownds.net

http://sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/05/22/mindfulness-meditation-for-adults-teens-with-adhd/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/rewire-your-brain-love/200911/nine-ways-meditating-brain-creates-better-relationships