Mindfulness is a topic I have been stressing to the players this week. Having observed the players throughout the opening 9 weeks of college, I have noticed that some players simply arrive to training in ‘auto pilot’, with no focused attention on the present moment, and simply waiting for me to issue instructions. This is symptomatic of modern society. Look at the regular college system. A teacher stands at the front of the room and issues instructions in a dictatorial manner. It’s not conducive to creating mindful young adults (Project Based Learning helps in this regard).
Have you ever driven home from work, pulled into the garage and not remembered any aspect of the trip? This is the opposite of mindfulness. The ability to be mindful is about training yourself to pay attention in a specific way. When a person is mindful, they are:
• focused on the present moment
• not worrying about anything that went on in the past or that might be coming up in future
• purposefully concentrating on what’s happening around them and to them
• not being judgmental about anything they notice
Evidence suggests that regular mindful awareness practice changes how our body and brain respond to stress, possibly strengthening connections in the prefrontal cortex and reducing reactivity in our limbic system, supporting self-reflection and self-regulation. These functions play a critical role in education. To learn, student must engage the prefrontal cortex to focus and monitor their attention and to inhibit impulsive tendencies towards distraction.
“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” – Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace in Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life
great article.