Mindfulness-based heroism - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Mindfulness-based heroism

Patrick JonesSlide2

Introduction & outline

Psychology - Traditional

emphasis

on

pathologyHeroism science - human potentialBridge between mindfulness and heroism Theory practices findings of mindfulnessCan it build enlightened heroes?Slide3

The hero profilefour dimensions

Some

type of quest

Sacrifice or risk Passive or active

One-off or

continuousSlide4

Causes & conditions

O

rdinary people activated

by

situations?Moral exemplars?Moral people activated by situations? Slide5

State vs trait heroes

Diversity of heroes and variation of virtue

Is there a continuum of heroism

?

Are there developmental stages that can be measured?Are these the highest levels of human development?Slide6

Transcendent

experiences

Temporary and persistent states Occur across developmental levels  Can individuals be trained to integrate each stage?

Would

they consistently think and behave heroically?

State

vs

trait

HeroesSlide7

Mindfulness

The theory and methods of mindfulness

Training

in enlightenment and altruism practices.

The potential to deliver an enlightened hero?Slide8

Mindfulness traditional & Modern

Both develop meta-awareness (self/other

awareness)

Moderation of behavior (self-regulation)  Transcend own needs and increases prosocial actions Observe objectively automatic patterns  View thoughts as “passing mental events” Slide9

Modern mindfulness

Clinically based 35-year old model (Kabat-Zinn)

No

authoritative

versionTaken from enlightenment tradition in service of clinical goals Some methodological issues Slide10

traditional mindfulness

Traditional 2500-year old model (Buddhism)

In

service of the goal of enlightenment

Foundation - the non-existence of an abiding self Ego-less state spontaneous service of all beingsCan this build a predictable “trait-like” heroSlide11

Mindfulness goals & theory

Goal - ego-less service

Regulates all practices and behaviors

 Uses a range of attentional strategies to achieve thisSlide12

The theory and methods of mindfulness

Training

in enlightenment and altruism

practices  The potential to deliver an enlightened hero?Slide13

Mindfulness Goals & Theory

Emptiness and No Self

Unnecessary

subject–object

dualism All phenomena are devoid or “empty” of inherent existenceSlide14

Mindfulness Goals & Theory

Practitioner goal: become aware of the present

Perceive the essential emptiness of that

moment

Practices train the mind to attain a nondual cognitive state Self-less way of relating to the world emerges - enlightenmentSlide15

Mindfulness training

STUDYCONTEMPLATIONMEDITATIONSlide16

Mindfulness trainingStudy

Study explores how the cognitive processes

occur

Dismantling of tendencies to separate subject and object Exploration of the activation of survival tendencies Goal - to deliver the enlightened experience  Slide17

Mindfulness trainingStudy

Desire to possess and maintain things (attachment)

To

separate from and destroy them (aversion

)Feel apathy towards them (indifference)  Uncover underlying space of awareness in which conscious process occursAwareness is experienced as empty or unaffected by phenomena Slide18

mindfulness trainingContemplation

Review past

E

valuate present Plan more skillful future  Overcome habitual ways of relating to the world Re-train maladaptive tendencies and generate new behaviours Four codes of conduct – equanimity / empathetic

joy /

compassion

/ loving-kindness Slide19

Mindfulness trainingmeditation

Neutralize negative patterns

of thought and

behaviour

Sustain unbiased, non-judgmental attention on passing mental phenomena Gain access to non-dual (no subject-object) enlightenment Watching becomes increasingly effortless - “choice less awareness” Slide20

Meditation practices

Focused attention (FA) Sustained attention on a mental or sensory object

Goal

to decrease distraction develop single pointed concentration

 Open monitoring (OM) meditationNo object of focus - receptive to physical and mental phenomena Simultaneously seeing its relative form and essential emptiness Slide21

Mindfulness training results

“Slide22

Traditional mindfulness results

Mindfulness” stage :

can

observe impartially mental phenomena

“Calm abiding” stage : can see phenomena without a sense of a “self” “Insight” stage: direct experience of no self or separation from phenomena – enlightenmentNondual experiences start as temporary and progress to enduringSlide23

Neuroscience

Default mode network (DMN)

Responsible

for a passive default mode of

mind-wandering Increased levels of DMN activity:Attentional lapses and ADHD / Negative affect / Anxiety / Depression Decreased activity in DMN neural structures Reductions in sensory and perceptual processingSlide24

neuroscience results

Meditators relatively less DMN activation

Reductions

in mind-wandering and reactivity to

distractionsA reduction of redundant cognitive processing Slide25

neuroscience results

Improved attentional regulation Better executive monitoring

Improved

conflict

monitoringEnhancement of primary sensory awareness Increases in auditory receptivity visual shape and size discriminations Slide26

Neuroimaging results

Neural structures

for sensory and perceptual

processing

- larger in meditators Structures underlying ruminating cognitive processing – smaller Attaining a thoughtless state - observable reduction in overall brain activity Reduced activity in emotion areas during acute painLower pain sensitivity and higher thresholds for pain Fear

response reduction

and

rapid

decreases in skin conductance

after aversive

stimuli Slide27

discussionSlide28

discussion

Can the attributes of a hero be built?

Does

mindfulness offer evidence it can achieve this

?Slide29

discussion

Traditional mindfulness provides evidence it can contribute to building heroically relevant attributes

Increased

attentional functioning and enhanced primary sensory awareness

Greater conflict monitoring, increased cognitive control and reduced fear / startle responseIncreased loving kindness and self-sacrificing behavioursSlide30

discussion

Improvements in heroically-relevant capabilities

Gives

encouragement this capacity is trainable by

mindfulnessTraditional model trains to enlightenment - may address the problem of

the intermittent hero

The

enlightened hero

– ego-less altruism

The superhero?Slide31

Patrick Jones: service@clearmindopenheart.org