COLLEGE PROGRAMS
Mindfulness and Compassion programs have an important role in Higher Education. They have the capacity to positively support our current and future leaders through:
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The enhancement of cognitive and academic performance.
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The management of academic and work-related stress.
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The development of "the whole person" which cultivates abilities beyond the verbal and conceptual to include matters of heart, character, creativity, self-knowledge, concentration, openness, and mental flexibility.
There is growing evidence that mindfulness and compassion programs contribute to the positive development of students, and that meditation specifically “correlates with several beneficial academic and psychological factors related to student learning and functioning in higher education” (Shapiro et al., 2011).
Mindful Labs is bringing Mindfulness and Compassion onto campus in 4 unique formats:
For Credit Course
The Practice and Science of Mindfulness and Compassion
This experiential seminar will explore the theory, research and practices of mindfulness, self-compassion, compassion for others and the world, and the nature of well-being. This course will not only cover research into mindfulness and compassion, it will also offer first-hand experiential knowledge of these states through meditation (meditation will be taught in a secular context), journaling and other experiential exercises. Readings for this course will be drawn from both academic and non-academic sources in an effort to explore mindfulness and compassion as they relate to and support a deeper understanding of identity, relationships, meaningful living, resiliency, leadership, and the inner wisdom that each one of us possesses.
Format: This course is formatted to be offered as a semester or quarter course. This course can be offered in-person and has also been adapted to be offered live online.
6-Week Short Course:
Mindful Self-Compassion
(SC-MSC)
Student's learn the skills we all need to meet life’s challenges with more wisdom and kindness. In this new and abridged course, The Short Course in Mindful Self-Compassion (SC-MSC), will teach students how to hold themselves with understanding and compassion when they need it most- when failing, feeling inadequate, and/or are suffering. Students will learn MSC’s key informal practices, as well as brief practices in mindfulness right from home. SC-MSC was developed by MSC’s pioneering researchers and clinicians, Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer for those who were short on time and could not engage in the longer MSC course.
Format: This course meets for 6 consecutive weeks, meeting one hour a week. This course can be offered in person or live online.
Note: This course can be offered to students or faculty/staff.
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4-Week Short Course:
Stress Reduction
This highly experiential course incorporates the practices of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) to help participants learn how to calm the active mind and offer themselves care and comfort in difficult moments. Students learn empirically-supported practice in the safety of a small group, and also how to tailor mindfulness and compassion practices to support their own unique needs. This course has been abridged from the MBSR program, which found that students who participated in the course experienced improved self-confidence (Dundas et al., 2016), empathy (Barbosa et al., 2013), and mindfulness as well as reduced depression, stress and anxiety (Song & Lindquist, 2014).
Format: Once a week for 1.5 hours. Can be offered in person or live online.
Note: This course can be offered to students or faculty/staff.
Workshops
Mindful Labs can help educators and leaders introduce their students or faculty/staff to the practices and benefits of mindfulness and compassion through custom workshops. The content of this workshop can be uniquely tailored to focus on the science and practices of mindfulness and compassion for performance enhancement, reduction of stress, or cultivation of the "whole person."
Format: Varies. Workshops typically can be offered in a 2 hour format, half and all day format. Mindful Labs will uniquely tailor content with you based on your intentions. Workshop can be offered in-person or online.
Note: Workshops can be offered to students or faculty/staff.
What Students Are Saying:
"This course taught me more meaningful information that applies directly to my life than any other class I have ever taken. This class taught me how to use mindfulness and compassion to help deal with my challenges."
"I am a significantly happier person after taking this class and would highly recommend it to anyone of any age."
"This course has helped me in so many ways! The material I learned is applicable to everyday life and has helped me in stress management and getting what I truly want out of life. I am so glad I got to take this class as a freshman, because it will help me throughout college and life."
"This course has brought me closer to myself and has taught me how to move past prejudice that is embedded in humans."
