“Mindfulness means paying attention to what’s happening in the present moment in the mind, body and external environment, with an attitude of curiosity and kindness.” (The Mindfulness Initiative)
This module is very much based on experiential learning. It requires a high degree of intrinsic motivation as well as a willingness to actively engage with oneself and the other students and to practice mindfulness regularly. Students can attend this module regardless of their world view. A key element of the teaching units of this module will be the various mindfulness practices of sitting meditation (e.g., nonobjective meditation, open monitoring, various breathing exercises, compassion meditation, body scan) and dynamic forms meditation. Innovative approaches from improvisational theatre, coaching, and leadership will also be applied. "Mindfulness is a skill" which can be learned and is strengthened with the help of regular exercise, just like a muscle is trained in weight lifting.
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” (Prof. Viktor E. Frankl)
The interest in and the importance of mindfulness has increased enormously over the past 10 years, not only among the general public, but also in the scientific community. This is demonstrated, for example, by the fact that more than 10,000 scientific journal articles can now be found in the relevant databases. Numerous research results confirm the positive effects of mindfulness practice, such as:
- Mindfulness strengthens the concentration and learning ability of practitioners.
- It promotes a more conscious and constructive way of dealing with stress.
- Practitioners develop more empathy and increase their emotional intelligence.
- Mindfulness strengthens practitioners’ mental and physical resistance (resilience, immune system).
- Neuroplasticity: Mindfulness is an ability that can be trained through practice and has been proven to have a positive effect on the brain structure.
- Kursanbieter/in: Carmen Pfammatter