Drop-In Meditation this Wednesday
Join others for our monthly drop-in meditation
class, this Wednesday, October 11
from 7-9 PM at the Wright Tavern Center in
Concord, MA.
For those of you who haven't attended a drop-in
class-- We spend much of the time with practice
and a portion of the time with discussion or insights
and challenges of the practice. Anyone with
some
meditation experience is welcome to attend.
Drop-In Fee is $15 Pre-registration is not
necessary, but appreciated. Bring a cushion or mat
if you would like, and a sweater or wrap, as the room
temperature varies.
Call (978-369-5243) or e-mail Pam
with any
questions about the drop-in classes.
Quick Links...
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Greetings!
Autumn...one of most glorious
seasons in New
England....trees glowing with golden hues,
farmstands with crisp apples, pumpkins and fresh
pressed cider. It is hard not to be mindful of the
beauty around us...but do we allow ourselves to stop
and notice or
are we continuing to multitask and speed up through
this season, too?
In the last month, I have had the pleasure of
speaking on these issues as a guest on the
syndicated radio program, Focus
on Empowerment with Carole Copeland
Thomas, as
well as being featured in a recent web publication of
Bates Communications on strategies
to
enhance stress
resiliency in the
workplace (click here to
read the article) To continue this focus in the
newsletter this month, I have included
several items on mindfulness, multitasking,
meditation, resiliency and wellness.
The featured article in the October Self-Healing
newsletter by Dr.
Andrew
Weil is appropriately titled: What's
Wrong with
Multitasking? Dr. Weil speaks to shifting from
multitasking to monotasking and I have discussed a
few key points from his newsletter below.
An upcoming event in the Boston area, that I am sure
you don't want to miss, is a discussion with
Jon
Kabat-Zinn at the Museum of Science on
Friday, November
3. Check out the information below for more details.
Finally, I am giving all of the women reading this
newsletter a heads up on a trip that will surely be the
ultimate in Conscious
Relaxation.....a week of mindfulness in nature
in an eco-resort on the gorgeous Caribbean island of
Dominica in January 2007.
Read
more below!
As always, I appreciate you suggestions, comments
and thoughts about the newsletter, programming or
topics of interest. Please forward this newsletter on
to friends or colleagues who may also be interested
in the work of Stress Resources.
Wishing you a mindful month,
Pam
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What's Wrong with Multitasking?
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You may be familiar with Dr. Andrew Weil, the well-
know author and respected integrative physician. In
his newsletter this month, Dr. Weil focuses on "what's
wrong with multitasking". I find this topic of great
interest to myself, as well as my students and clients.
It seems to be a way of life now to constantly
be "doing" multiple tasks simultaneously. We seem
to need to be constantly doing something to feel
productive.
Ironically, research is now showing that our efficiency,
productivity, as well as our health seem to suffer when
we do not allow ourselves time to be mindful
or "monotask".
Dr. Weil brings to our attention the findings of studies
from
the University of Michigan's Dr. David Meyer from the
Brain, Cognition, and Action Laboratory in Ann
Arbor. Dr. Meyer and colleagues found that research
participants involved in multitasking added as much
as 40% to completion time compared to finishing one
job
and beginning another. The study suggests that it
takes time for the brain to shift gears and warm up to
a new task.
The ability to juggle tasks seems to be related to the
skills
involved. Thus, multitasking is easiest to do when
one of the tasks is simple and doesn't compete for as
many physical or mental resources. However, when
there are several complicated tasks being done
simultaneously, none of the tasks are done as
accurately or efficiently.
So what are we to do? To work more productively, Dr.
Meyer recommends taking brief meditation breaks
between complicated tasks to allow the brain to go
into "neutral". I suggest taking a breath, and giving
yourself permission to monotask at least once every
day -- notice the difference it makes!
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Jon Kabat-Zinn Lecture
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On November 3, as part of the Boston Museum of
Science's "Sound Body, Sound Mind"
series, Jon
Kabat-Zinn, founder of the Stress Reduction Clinic at
the University of Massachusetts, will lead us on an
investigation of the science of the mind, meditation,
mind/body connection, and how these influence our
behavior.
This is a wonderful opportunity for those of you in the
New England region to hear one of the leaders in the
field of mind/body science.
Free tickets to the event are available on the night of
the event, beginning at 5:45 PM. First come, first
served. If you are a member of the Museum of
Science, you may reserve a limited number of tickets
on Oct. 30 and Oct. 31 by calling the Museum of
Science.
For more information about the "Sound Body, Sound
Mind" series, click on the link below.
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Conscious Relaxation in the Caribbean
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Give yourself a gift this winter....an exquisite week
of "Conscious Relaxation" on one of
the last
unspoiled islands of the
Caribbean...beautiful
Dominica.
Join me, as I
lead
daily workshops on strategies for stress resiliency
and
wellbeing for women on this exquisite tropical jewel
from January 20-27, 2007.
Serendipity Traveler
provides inspired travel for spirited women.
Our week on
Dominica will include opportunities for morning yoga
classes, guided hikes to waterfalls and rainforests, as
well as kayaking and snorkeling. The eco lodge is
pristinely situated to enjoy the tropical ambience of
Dominica. Only 12 women will be going on this
tropical adventure. More information will follow in the
November newsletter...however, I would encourage
you to reserve now by calling Peggy
Coonley, the founder of Serendipity
Traveler at 1-800-975-2357.
Sorry, guys this trip to Dominica is for
women only...but (hint, hint) what
a wonderful holiday present for the woman in your life!
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