The Power of Mindfulness: What You Practice Grows Stronger | Shauna Shapiro | TEDxWashingtonSquare

TEDx Talks2 minutes read

Mindfulness is a powerful tool for transformation, focusing on being present and showing kind attention to oneself, which can lead to improved health and well-being. The practice of mindfulness, emphasized by the monk, involves training the mind to be present and welcoming all parts of ourselves with kindness to shape our brain through repeated experiences.

Insights

  • Mindfulness involves training the mind to be present in the current moment, emphasizing kind attention towards oneself, which can lead to transformation and growth.
  • Research supports the positive impacts of mindfulness on health, stress reduction, and sleep quality, highlighting the importance of practicing kind attention for long-term, profound changes in individuals.

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Recent questions

  • What is mindfulness?

    Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention in the present moment, training the mind to be fully aware of where we are and what we are doing. It involves being present and engaged in the current experience without judgment.

  • How does mindfulness impact the brain?

    Mindfulness shapes the brain through repeated experiences. What we practice grows stronger, and by practicing mindfulness, we can rewire our brains to be more present, focused, and attentive.

  • What are the benefits of practicing mindfulness?

    Research shows that practicing mindfulness has numerous benefits, including improved immune functioning, decreased stress levels, better sleep quality, and overall enhanced well-being. It can also aid in personal growth and transformation.

  • Why is kind attention important in mindfulness?

    Kind attention, which involves welcoming all parts of ourselves with kindness, is essential in mindfulness practice. It helps in fostering self-compassion, overcoming shame, and promoting true and lasting transformation by bathing us in dopamine.

  • How can mindfulness aid in personal growth?

    Mindfulness is a powerful tool for transformation as it allows individuals to change and grow regardless of circumstances. By practicing mindfulness and cultivating kind attention, one can overcome obstacles, foster self-compassion, and achieve true and lasting personal growth.

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Summary

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Power of Mindfulness: Transforming Lives with Kindness

  • Mindfulness is a powerful tool for transformation, allowing individuals to change and grow regardless of circumstances.
  • The speaker's journey into mindfulness began after spinal fusion surgery at 17, leading to a meditation retreat in Thailand.
  • Mindfulness involves paying attention in the present moment, training the mind to be present where we are.
  • The monk emphasized that what we practice grows stronger, shaping our brain through repeated experiences.
  • Mindfulness is not just about attention but also about kind attention, welcoming all parts of ourselves with kindness.
  • Research shows the beneficial effects of mindfulness, including improved immune functioning, decreased stress, and better sleep.
  • Shame is universal, but it hinders growth and learning, while kind attention bathes us with dopamine, aiding in transformation.
  • Kind attention, practiced through mindfulness, is essential for true and lasting transformation, requiring practice and intention.
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