Opinions

Cultural Appropriation of Mindfulness

“Appropriation is derived from the Latin word appropriare, or to make one's own, which is from the Latin root proprius, to own property, and cultural appropriation highlights the borrowing of ideas…

African American Mindfulness Researchers Make Vital Contributions

Biggers, A., Spears, C. A., Sanders, K., Ong, J., Sharp, L. K., & Gerber, B. S. (2020). Promoting mindfulness in African American communities. Mindfulness, 11, 2274-2282. Campbell, J., & Moyers, B.…

Moving Beyond the Headlines

Does the scientific content that we read always mean what it claims? As readers and often as fast-paced readers, it's unsurprising that we swiftly jump to conclusions and make confident inferences…

The Clark Unitive Effect: Bridging the 'Valley of Death' from Research to Practice

This is the second in a series of editorials discussing mindfulness research and the Clark Unitive Effect (also known as Oppositional Cultural Practice Theory). The Clark Unitive Effect postulates a…

Oppositional Cultural Practice®: OWN IT! FEEL IT! LIVE IT! LOVE IT!

The Educating Gossip™ (TEG) is an educator, transdisciplinary researcher, and writer certified in spirituality and social change. Having earned both undergraduate and law degrees from the University…

The challenges of bringing mindfulness into schools

Nona’s introduction to mindfulness occurred during her undergraduate education at Duke University, where she jointly majored in Psychology and Middle Eastern/ Asian Studies. She currently lives in…

What is Mindfulness?

With the increased interest in mindfulness research, there remains a practical and theoretical need to establish a testable, operational definition of mindfulness. Part of this challenge is that the…

What is the Present Moment? Some Warnings about Hanging out in it, and a New Scientific Theory of Meditation

Ruben Laukkonen is a cognitive neuroscientist at the VU University of Amsterdam. His research focuses on sudden insight experiences and the effects of intensive meditation on the mind and brain.…

Your Brain is also Part of Your Body: Contextual and Contemplative Approaches in Physical Illness

The Power of Their Own Breath

The Vitória Hotel in downtown Campinas, Brazil looks like any other high-class, modern establishment. Sunlight dances across the wide, turquoise pool. The white marble floor shines so brightly it…

The Emerging Trend of Mindfulness in Education

When I used to teach ninth and tenth grade, I kept a big poster at the front of the classroom that read, “Act, Don’t React.” I was a 21-year-old novice, so the sign was more wishful thinking than a…