"Mindfulness means paying attention
in a particular way, on purpose, in the
present moment non-judgmentally."
Jon Kabat-Zinn
The Mindful Elon project is an interdisciplinary collaboration of multiple departments, programs, and student groups that offer activities and opportunities to promote more Mindful well-being within the Elon community for students, faculty, and staff.
Mindful Elon includes opportunities for meditation, centering prayer, and yoga; retreats and workshops that teach techniques for stress management and Mindful well-being; and a faculty working group on contemplative pedagogy that supports incorporating Mindfulness within new and existing courses across the disciplines.
Mindfulness is a way of being in the present moment with both awareness and acceptance. All too often, we are tossed about by busy anxious thoughts, rehearsing the past, worried about the future, or simply distracted by all we have to do, and we forget to be in the moment in mind and body together.
Exercises like meditation or yoga can help us recenter in the present moment, as well as any intentional activity that helps us return to the present moment, such as centering prayer, a deep breath, or mindfully walking on Elon's beautiful campus.
A growing body of research demonstrates the benefits of Mindful practices for physcial health and personal well-being, as well as learning and cognition. Mindfulness is especially helpful for managing stress and anxiety and for increasing compassion for self and others. To learn more, check out our list of Mindfulness Resources.
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