Post-Thanksgiving Silent Retreat
10/29/2020
The Mindfulness Center will be hosting a free Silent Retreat the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 28, from 10-2 pm. This will be a time of silence with guided meditations, eating…
10/19/2020
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Improve Psychological Health and Well-Being Much of the burden associated with poor mental health is from symptoms experienced by the general population. These…
Transitioning through the Unwanted with Mindfulness
10/19/2020
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote “In action is his power; not in his goals but in his transitions, man is great.” Transitions are a normal part of life. Some are voluntary, like a longed-for job opportunity that’s finally come around or the birth of a new baby. Some transitions are involuntary, like an unexpected job termination, unknown illness or sudden death of a parent or loved one. Transitions, even when we choose them, can cause disruption and disequilibrium, be painful and uncomfortable, with many unexpected challenges. The pain and disruption can be even greater when we are forced to transition, when we don’t want to or weren’t anticipating an unforeseen change. Right now, we are facing a major transition with the coronavirus.
Update on Mindfulness for Health System Employees Classes
9/3/2020
The Mindfulness Center just finished the fifth Mindfulness for Health System Employees class conducted in conjunction with the Be Wise program. These eight-week classes are now offered virtually and are…
9/1/2020
Enhanced Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction is Effective in Episodic Migraine These investigators evaluated the impact of enhanced mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR+) compared to a stress management program for headache without mindfulness…
9/1/2020
As I read and understand more about this new “normal” I am awestruck at the concept of impermanence. This exact time last year, I was on a plane for Quebec, Canada. In just 2 hours, I landed in the beautiful city of Montreal, where I found myself wandering around this French-Canadian wonderland in large crowds of people. We were dancing, singing, and enjoying the outdoor movie creations. It was a creative celebration of Old Montreal’s history through “Cite Memoire” with original footage of the city shown on the sides of buildings while sharing headsets in both English and French. There were open air markets, beautiful museums, delicious croissants with wild caught salmon in crowded cafes. There were people everywhere, touching, talking, singing, laughing.
8/4/2020
There is so much going on now that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The coronavirus pandemic is continuing to worsen in parts of the world, with cases still going up around the US. Even Virginia, which had been bucking the trend with decreased numbers, has experienced an increase again. Schools are due to open soon, yet conditions are such that it’s impossible to know what a “safe” return might look like. The economy is shrinking and the unemployment rate remains high. The unrest following the murder of George Floyd has largely subsided, but the need to address 400 years of racial injustice remains as urgent as ever.
8/4/2020
Please join us for the virtual Mindful Pause at 4 pm daily, Monday through Friday. The sessions are 15 minute meditations led by a mindfulness teacher via Zoom. Registration is…
8/4/2020
Helping People by Being Present This research evaluated whether mindfulness practices can increase helping (prosocial) behaviors in the workplace. The investigators did a series of studies in the US and…
Summer Reading and Book Discussion
6/25/2020
August 12 3:30-5:00pm (EDT) Free and open to the public Registration required The UVa Contemplative Sciences Center and the Center for Teaching Excellence will be hosting a discussion of the book,…