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De-Mystifying Mindfulness

Chris Goto-Jones

Interest in meditation, mindfulness, and contemplation has grown exponentially in recent years. Rather than being seen as mystical practices from ancient Buddhism or esoteric philosophy, they are increasingly seen as technologies rooted in evidence from psychology and neuroscience. Mindfulness has become the basis for numerous therapeutic interventions, both as a treatment in healthcare and as a means of enhancing well-being and happiness. For millions around the world, mindfulness has become a life-style choice, enhancing and enriching everyday experience. Mindfulness is big business.

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Interest in meditation, mindfulness, and contemplation has grown exponentially in recent years. Rather than being seen as mystical practices from ancient Buddhism or esoteric philosophy, they are increasingly seen as technologies rooted in evidence from psychology and neuroscience. Mindfulness has become the basis for numerous therapeutic interventions, both as a treatment in healthcare and as a means of enhancing well-being and happiness. For millions around the world, mindfulness has become a life-style choice, enhancing and enriching everyday experience. Mindfulness is big business.

But, what actually is mindfulness? Is it really good for you? Can anyone learn it? How can you recognize charlatans? Would you want to live in a mindful society, and would it smell like sandalwood? What does it feel like to be mindful? Are you mindful already, and how would you know?

Evolving from the popular Honours Academy course at Leiden University, this innovative course combines conventional scholarly inquiry from multiple disciplines (ranging from psychology, through philosophy, to politics) with experiential learning (including specially designed ‘meditation labs,’ in which you’ll get chance to practice and analyze mindfulness on yourself). In the end, the course aims to provide a responsible, comprehensive, and inclusive education about (and in) mindfulness as a contemporary phenomenon.

During the production of this course, we have been supported by Willem Kuyken, Director of the University of Oxford Mindfulness Centre, and Stephen Batchelor, co-founder of Bodhi College. And we gratefully acknowledge the contributions made by Mark Williams, co-developer of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Rebecca Crane, Director of the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice at the University of Bangor. We have recently added expert advice from Dawn Scott (Spirit Rock & Barre Centre for Buddhist Studies), Sydney Spears (University of Kansa), Elisabeth Stanley (Georgetown University), Susan Woods (Centre for Mindfulness Studies), Patricia Rockman (University of Toronto) and Jeff Corntassel (University of Victoria).

"A deep and profound dive into the ethical, social, psychological, and philosophical implications of modern-day mindfulness practice. The course is not for the faint of heart, perhaps, but it is also full of practical, guided exercises for the uninitiated! Thank you for redefining my relationship to Mindfulness in a completely new and thought-provoking way" 28 april 2021

"The course enabled me to explore the mindfulness construct at its deeper lever from philosophical, psychological and political lenses. The mindfulness labs were very useful in practicing the skills of being mindful." 23 nov 2018

"i took this course after a period of time when I was trying to practice mindfulness and meditation, but with doubtful success. The course answered many questions to me, and I needed that to keep me motivated. It really helped me understand the origins and, more importantly, benefits of mindfulness practice and made me persist in my attempts. I'm really glad I took the course, I find it interesting, well taught and very useful for all those seeking deeper explanation in why trying mindfulness." 9 Oct 2018

"I have taken other courses in other online platforms. However, this has been one of the best courses I have found online." 3 Oct 2018

"I really like the invitation to us, the learners, to rethink our preconceptions and beliefs, and then make our own judgement about mindfulness. The overall tone was very friendly and open, resources very useful." 12 Dec 2017

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What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to the course
People come to the study of Mindfulness for all kinds of reasons; I’m curious to know what brings you here. Perhaps you’re someone who already has a Mindfulness practice and you’re keen to know more about it? Perhaps you’re someone who has heard a lot about this mysterious thing called ‘Mindfulness,’ but you’re suspicious or skeptical about it, so you want to see what all the fuss is about? Is it really something real? Just a fad or fashion? Does it really cure all our ills? Perhaps you’re a student of psychology, or philosophy, or politics, or you’re an entrepreneur or a therapist? Whoever you are, and whyever you’re here, you’re very welcome. I look forward to learning about and from you as we embark on this adventure together. 'De-Mystifying Mindfulness' was first launched in 2016 and, since that time, it has been honoured by the participation of about 200,000 people on Coursera. During these years, we have listened carefully to the views, feedback, and needs of the participants, which have prompted us to make a series of changes and additions to the course. Thanks to the generosity of our donors (through our voluntary 'dana' box), we had the resources we needed to make the additions. So, as well as some minor changes, we've launched 2 major rounds of updates, including adding extra materials about sitting with difficulties and about the challenges of teaching mindfulness in 2019. We also added some extra audio files with meditation guidance for participants who requested these in the voice of Chris Goto-Jones. Then, in 2021, we added two entire new modules (Mindfulness, Trauma & Social Justice; Mindfulness, Nature and the Land), both of which included additional video and audio sessions. This 2021 update also included a new group of interviews with leading figures in the fields of the practice and study of Mindfulness. The result of these updates, we hope, is a responsive and relatively comprehensive guide to de-mystifying mindfulness; a side-effect might be that the style of presentation might sometimes seem a little inconsistent -- we hope that isn't too disconcerting for you. Good luck with the course, and best wishes for your new adventure!
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Introduction to Mindfulness
In this first module, we’re going to explore the foundational question of what Mindfulness actually is! This module has been designed to approach this question by considering a series of preconceptions about Mindfulness in contemporary societies. Hence, here we meet the characters who will help and guide us through the rest of the course: the scientist, the monk, the ninja, the zombie, and the hippie. I hope you find these to be worthwhile companions on our journey. In the end, we’ll discover that these preconceptions are not without merit, but that they are only partial pictures of the whole. We’ll also engage in our first Meditation Lab so that we can begin to weigh these preconceptions against our own experiences. Begin working on the week's Meditation Lab exercises at the beginning of each week. Be prepared to set aside time each day for the exercises in the Meditation Labs. The exercises can range from just a few minutes to nearly an hour, as indicated on each of the guided meditation recordings.
Psychology of/& Mindfulness
One of the most significant developments in the field of Mindfulness in recent years has been the development of ‘construct Mindfulness’ as a therapeutic tool and as a scientific technology. Both of these rest upon (and produce) bodies of scientific evidence about the effects and correlates of Mindfulness practice, both in terms of therapy and neurophysiology. In this second module, then, we’re going to explore some of implications and elaborations of these approaches. We’ll see what happens to the idea of Mindfulness when we make it into something that can be measured, and then we’ll investigate some of the most popular (and effective) Mindfulness-based Interventions, such as MBSR and MBCT. In the end, we’ll also ask whether this operationalized approach to Mindfulness actually hides deeper philosophical, religious, and existential questions, to which we’ll turn in the next module.
Philosophy of/& Mindfulness
One of the great debates in the field of Mindfulness revolves around the question of the nature of its relationship with Buddhism. In this module, we consider some of the ways in which this relationship can be understood, including by paying attention to the fact that Buddhism is a diverse and multivocal tradition. Going even further, we explore the possibility that traditions of thought other than Buddhism might provide valuable insights into Mindfulness, ranging from Daoism through Stoicism to contemporary American philosophy.
Politics of/& Mindfulness
It is commonly assumed that Mindfulness is a solitary pursuit, and yet there is also often talk of a ‘Mindfulness Revolution,’ as though Mindfulness is also a social movement. In this module we’ll explore some of the ways in which the practice of Mindfulness might impact on ethical, social, and political issues today. We’ll ask questions about whether a Mindful society would really be a utopia, or whether it would be a nightmare. We’ll investigate the significance of Mindfulness in the military and in education, and finally we’ll attempt to engage with the meaning and significance of the commercialization of Mindfulness in capitalist societies.
Extra 2021: Mindfulness, Trauma and Social Justice
While there is a tendency today to view mindfulness as somehow sealed off from the rest of society, like a kind of ‘clean space’ or refuge in which we might sit to shelter from the social, political, economic, and cultural turmoil around us, mindfulness is actually just as entangled in these forces as anything else. Over the last few years, an increasing body of research has started to explore some of the ways in which these social forces and personal histories impact on the experience of mindfulness practice. Such research shows that the field of mindfulness cannot assume that everyone sits onto the same cushion in the same room. And some people just might not have a cushion at all. Hence, this module explores the intersections between mindfulness and trauma, as well as mindfulness, privilege, prejudice, and oppression. Here we see that mindfulness is not free of concerns about racism, sexism, ableism or other forms of systemic discrimination. Nonetheless, perhaps mindfulness contains some seeds to help us confront these social ills? We are fortunate to be able to include in this module a trauma-sensitive guided meditation by Elizabeth Stanley.
Extra 2021: Mindfulness and Nature & Land
One feature of contemporary mindfulness is that it is increasingly practiced in urban environments, in small rooms in big cities. This tendency has contributed to a form of romanticization of mindfulness in nature, as though practicing in a beautiful natural setting is somehow better or more ‘pure.’ We will see that this romantic view is not new at all, and also that it hides a much more complicated and subtle form of relationship between mindfulness and the natural world. In this module, we’ll explore some of the pros and cons of practicing in nature, as well as some of the myths about it. We’ll even learn a new meditation that is specifically designed to help us feel our place in nature. At the same time, as soon as we accept that the practice of mindfulness takes place in real locations (on particular territories or pieces of the earth), then we’ll see that we also have to accept that mindfulness is not free of questions of land politics and colonialism. What does it mean to practice mindfulness in a way that respects the land?
Mindfulness into the Future
In this last module, we’ll spend some time reflecting on the path we have travelled to get to this point. There is the additional content that learners requested and the community graciously financed. We’ll also consider some of the main challenges that we might have encountered, and also give some thought to what might come next for those of us who want to keep a Mindfulness practice in their lives.
Honours Project
Having come to the end of the regular programme, you might already be considering what you can do to continue the process of de-mystifying mindfulness for the world today. Perhaps you've identified a practice that really challenges you, or an idea that inspires you into action? Perhaps you're wondering whether your experiences and insights might also be valuable to other people; you're thinking of ways to test them or share them or both? This 'Honours Module' provides you with the opportunity to build on the knowledge we've accumulated and constructed over the previous weeks by creating original, new projects of your own. Successful completion of this project will mean that you will earn 'honours' on your certificate - the highest quality stamp available. More than that, your projects might make genuine and important contributions to our mission: building knowledge for a more mindful world.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Taught by Chris Goto-Jones, who is a leading researcher of meditation and mindfulness
Examines mindfulness through the lenses of multiple disciplines, including psychology, philosophy, and politics
Includes experiential learning through meditation labs, allowing learners to practice and analyze mindfulness
Provides a comprehensive and inclusive study of mindfulness as a contemporary phenomenon
Explores the potential ethical, social, and political implications of mindfulness
Requires learners to have a consistent internet connection for class participation

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Reviews summary

Mindful insights

According to students, "De-Mystifying Mindfulness" is a largely positive course that offers a comprehensive overview of the practice. Learners say the course is well received because it combines academic knowledge with practical exercises, providing a well rounded understanding of the subject. The course is praised for its engaging assignments, including practical meditation labs and informative interviews with experts in the field. Some learners note that they would have preferred a more holistic perspective, particularly in terms of cultural representation. Despite this feedback, the overall consensus is that the course is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in mindfulness.
The course features interviews with renowned mindfulness experts, providing learners with valuable insights from experienced practitioners. These interviews add depth and credibility to the course material.
"Great course, a superb teacher, and useful materials."
"Eye opening and extremely helpful."
"This course helped me understand what is mindfulness actually is."
This course provides a detailed history and background on mindfulness, including its philosophical roots and the different traditions that have shaped its practice. Learners will appreciate the in-depth exploration of the subject.
"The different schools of thought and the approach to these different ways of providing midnfulness."
"a great compliment to my current knowledge about mindfulness and meditation."
"Very detailed and comprehensive history and background of mindfulness."
The course offers a variety of engaging mindfulness exercises, such as guided meditations and body scans, which help learners apply the concepts they learn to their daily lives. These practical assignments are highly valued by students.
"Loved the course content and the experiential aspect."
"I have learned so much from this course and it has also taught me discipline"
"This course has given me a great insight into things I had thought far more simplistic."
Some learners express a desire for a more holistic perspective, as the course primarily focuses on Western mindfulness traditions. This feedback suggests that the course could benefit from a more inclusive approach.
"This course rapidly turns into metrics, most students that continue reaching me are avid for assess the experience of mindful practices rather than practicing mindfulness."
"I suggest an easy download for the whole course, because not everybody has an internet connection or it may be very lame."
"This course is a life-changer. Systematically designed and professionally crafted to suite learners from a diversified cultural, ethnic, geographical and academic backgrounds."

Career center

Learners who complete De-Mystifying Mindfulness will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Meditation Teacher
This course can certainly help you become a more effective Meditation Teacher. It will enhance your understanding of mindfulness from multiple perspectives, including psychology, philosophy, and politics. You will learn to use mindfulness with others in a way that is ethical, compassionate, and socially responsible. In order to become a Meditation Teacher, you may be required to earn a master's degree. This course will help prepare you for the training you will receive in such a program.
Psychologist
This course can help you become a more effective Psychologist. It will provide you with a comprehensive grounding in theories of mindfulness, including the science, philosophy, and politics. You will also learn how mindfulness can be applied in therapeutic interventions. If you are interested in becoming a Psychologist, you will need to earn a doctorate. This course might help you learn more about the subfield of psychology that focuses on mindfulness before you apply to graduate school.
Yoga Instructor
This course can help you become a more effective Yoga Instructor. You will learn how to teach mindfulness techniques to your students so that they can enhance their yoga practice. You will also learn how to create a safe and supportive environment for students to explore mindfulness. If you are interested in becoming a Yoga Instructor, you may want to start by earning a certification in Yoga Instruction. This course can help deepen your practice and prepare you for a teacher training program.
Chaplain
This course is likely to help you become a more effective Chaplain. It will provide you with a solid grounding in mindfulness theories and practices. You will learn how to use mindfulness in your work with people from all backgrounds and beliefs. Most Chaplains are required to be ordained ministers or have the equivalent. This course may be helpful to you as you discern your religious vocation and begin training for the Chaplaincy.
Social Worker
This course will help you develop skills that are valuable to Social Workers. You will learn how to use mindfulness in your work with individuals, families, and communities. You will also learn how to address issues such as trauma, social justice, and diversity. A master's degree is usually required for a role as a Social Worker. This course can help you prepare for graduate school and your future in this field.
Nurse
This course can help you become a more effective Nurse. It will provide you with a strong foundation in mindfulness theories and practices. You will learn how to incorporate mindfulness into your nursing practice in order to enhance patient care. Most Nurses have a bachelor's degree in Nursing. This course can help advance your career by enhancing the skills you have learned in a formal program.
Teacher
This course can help you become a more effective Teacher. It will provide you with a framework for understanding mindfulness and its applications in the classroom. You will learn how to create a mindful learning environment for your students. Most Teachers have a bachelor's degree in Education and a teaching license. This course may help prepare you for a master's degree in Education, which can lead to administrative roles such as Principal.
Counselor
This course can help you become a more effective Counselor. It will provide you with a framework for understanding mindfulness and its applications in counseling. You will learn how to use mindfulness to help your clients manage stress, anxiety, and other challenges. Counseling positions usually require a master's degree. This course will help you explore the field of Counseling and gain a competitive advantage as you apply to programs.
Therapist
This course can provide you with a strong foundation for a career as a Therapist. You will learn about the theory and practice of mindfulness. You will also learn how to use mindfulness in therapeutic interventions. Many Therapists have a master's degree, but some roles require a doctorate. This course may be a good way to explore the field and decide whether to pursue advanced training.
Health Educator
This course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career as a Health Educator. You will learn about the theory and practice of mindfulness. You will also learn how to use mindfulness to help people improve their health and well-being. This course might be helpful for you if you already have a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as public health or social work. It may help you prepare for a master's degree in Public Health.
Massage Therapist
This course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career as a Massage Therapist. You will learn about the theory and practice of mindfulness. You will also learn how to use mindfulness to help your clients relax and de-stress. Some Massage Therapists have a degree or certification. This course may help you prepare for formal training in massage therapy.
Personal Trainer
This course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career as a Personal Trainer. You will learn about the theory and practice of mindfulness. You will also learn how to use mindfulness to help your clients achieve their fitness goals. Most Personal Trainers have a bachelor's degree in a field such as exercise science, kinesiology, or nutrition. This course may be a good way to explore the field of fitness and decide whether to pursue formal training.
Life Coach
This course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career as a Life Coach. You will learn about the theory and practice of mindfulness. You will also learn how to use mindfulness to help your clients identify and achieve their goals. Most Life Coaches have a bachelor's degree in a field such as psychology, counseling, or social work. This course can help you explore the field of coaching and decide whether to pursue formal training.
Fitness Instructor
This course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career as a Fitness Instructor. You will learn about the theory and practice of mindfulness. You will also learn how to use mindfulness to help your clients stay motivated and focused. Many Fitness Instructors have a bachelor's degree in a field such as exercise science, kinesiology, or nutrition. This course may be a good way to explore the field of fitness and decide whether to pursue formal training.
Athletic Trainer
This course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career as an Athletic Trainer. You will learn about the theory and practice of mindfulness. You will also learn how to use mindfulness to help athletes improve their performance and recover from injuries. Athletic Trainers usually have a bachelor's degree in athletic training. This course may be a good way to explore the field and decide whether to pursue formal training.

Reading list

We've selected 22 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in De-Mystifying Mindfulness.
Is considered a classic guide to mindfulness, providing practical exercises and techniques for cultivating mindfulness in daily life.
Provides a practical guide to mindfulness meditation and its benefits. It is written in a clear and accessible style and includes exercises and meditations that can be used to develop a mindfulness practice.
Presents a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program for preventing relapse in depression. It is based on the latest research on mindfulness and depression and includes exercises and meditations that can be used to develop a mindfulness practice.
Is highly recommended for anyone struggling with depression, as it offers a mindfulness-based approach to managing and overcoming depressive symptoms.
This comprehensive guide to meditation combines insights from Buddhism and modern science, offering a structured and detailed approach to meditation practice.
Explores the principles of Buddhism and provides practical advice on how to cultivate happiness and well-being.
Provides a clear and detailed guide to Vipassana meditation, a traditional Buddhist meditation technique.
Explores the nature of the present moment and how to live a more mindful and present-centered life.
Provides a collection of talks and teachings on Zen Buddhism, offering insights into the nature of mindfulness and meditation.
This memoir provides a personal and entertaining account of one woman's journey to cultivate happiness through mindfulness and other practices.
Provides an overview of the use of mindfulness in psychotherapy. It covers the theory and research on mindfulness, as well as practical applications for working with clients.
Manual for mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for depression. It provides a detailed description of the MBCT protocol and includes exercises and meditations that can be used to develop a mindfulness practice.
Explores the science of attention and provides practical techniques for improving focus and concentration.
Explores the neuroscience of mindfulness and its applications to mental health and well-being. It is written in a clear and accessible style and includes exercises and meditations that can be used to develop a mindfulness practice.
Clear and accessible introduction to Buddhism. It is written by a leading Zen Buddhist teacher and includes simple and practical teachings on mindfulness and meditation.
Collection of stories and parables that explore the nature of reality and the path to happiness. It challenging and thought-provoking book that can offer insights into the nature of mindfulness.
Conversation between the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu about the nature of happiness. It warm and inspiring book that offers insights into the power of mindfulness and compassion.

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