More on Mindfulness

Amongst medical practitioners, Ronald Epstein, Professor of Family Medicine, Psychiatry, and Oncology at the University of Rochester, is known for contributing what is now a classic article, “Mindful Practice,” to the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1999. In his new book, ATTENDING, Epstein uses anecdotes and disguised personal experiences to further discuss the habit of mindfulness in a medical setting.  As I read this book, though, I was picturing the classroom and became increasingly excited about applying some of his concepts to a school environment. Consider this quote, for example:

“Falling short had little to do with knowledge and technique, but rather it had to do with my state of mind, what I noticed and attended to.  Sometimes I practiced with clarity and compassion, and other times impatience, distraction, unexamined emotions, and defensiveness got in the way.” OR “Attending means showing up, being present, listening ….”

I will be recommending ATTENDING to members of our learning cohort on mindfulness.  I am curious to hear their reactions and to perhaps propose this as an all school read.  Epstein’s comments on defining and developing expertise and attention training, as well as on compassionate caring, increasing effective communication, and reducing burnout seem particularly applicable.   

MODERN MINDFULNESS by Rohan Gunatillake is another engaging read on this subject. He begins by noting that people tend not to pursue mindfulness for three reasons: time problem, hippy [his spelling; referring to spiritual and religious concerns] problem and/or digital problem of being too connected.  Gunatillake employs a somewhat snarky tone in addressing those concerns, offering advice about staying centered and even incorporating technology. In fact, the subtitle is “How to Be More Relaxed, Focused, and Kind While Living in a Fast, Digital, Always-On World.” I particularly liked the chapter about “How to Design Your Own Meditations” where Gunatillake describes an 8 step process for creating a mindfulness practice that fits with the reader’s life.  Throughout MODERN MINDFULNESS, he also suggests over 50 other exercises.   

For recent postings related to the topic of mindfulness, see Stress Management and The Telomere Effect.

With some data here and some data there ….

I been reviewing two new books which deal with the collection and application of data. The first is THE AISLES HAVE EYES by Joseph Turow, University of Pennsylvania professor and associate dean.  Turow is pursuing a very interesting topic as his discussion of the reshaping of retail explores the tension between Americans being willing to give up personal data in favor of discounts OR being “resigned to the idea of surveillance.”  

Turow’s subtitle is “How Retailers Track Your Shopping, Strip Your Privacy, and Define Your Power” and he provides numerous examples in a retailing context, although it was sometimes difficult to stay engaged with his argument. At one point, I thought of the way parents used to avoid giving actual birthdates to restaurant chains like Farrell’s Ice Cream when those records were ultimately used by the government to pursue registrants for the selective service draft. The current potential for social discrimination and other misuse is noted as well as the ways in which our preferences are recorded and tracked by smartphones, fitbits and tablets. Turow compares the seeming unconcern with increased observation to a frog eventually boiling as water temperature is very slowly increased. He explains that tracking through other wearables and facial recognition (Face-Six, Emotient, FaceFirst are some of the companies involved) are coming quickly. Turow suggests a few actions, but seems more intent on raising an alarm rather than proposing detailed solutions. THE AISLES HAVE EYES has an index and extensive notes although a full bibliography would be helpful, too. 

THE UNDERGROUND CULINARY TOUR by Damian Mogavero with Joseph D'Agnese is subtitled “How the New Metrics of Today's Top Restaurants Are Transforming How America Eats” so again, we are learning about data applications and their impact on consumers. Here, the authors draw on extensive experience in the restaurant industry. Mogavero concentrates on financial analyses and human resource efforts (training a waitress to open a bottle of wine) in order to show the impact on often fragile bottom lines in the hospitality sector.  A couple of chapters do provide highlights from the annual real-life Underground Culinary Tour which Mogavero conducts; otherwise, this book is best matched with those who have a specialized interest in restaurants or similar businesses where Mogavero’s ideas could be applied. 

March - Book One by John Lewis

Just reading award-winning MARCH by John Lewis in order to prepare for our book group later this upcoming week.  Julie has done a fantastic job of pulling together all kinds of resources about Lewis, MARCH and the Civil Rights Movement. Democratic protest occurred again today - the photo above is an aerial view of the Women's March in Chicago where it was estimated that 250,000 attended, joining others all around the world.