Mindfulness Vs Mindlessness

 

Ellen Langer (1986) in her book "Mindfulness" talks about cognitive states of mindfulness as opposed to mindlessness. Mindfulness is a cognitive state where one would be flexible enough to be aware of the environment and situation she finds herself in. When being mindful, she would be sensitive to the context of the situation at hand and respond differently to different situations. She would actively take note of any new things in the situation.

Key concepts of mindfulness include

1) being able to look at situations through multiple points of view.

2) being able to shift your own perception and beliefs depending on the context and uniqueness of the situation. 

 

The opposite of this, would be a state of mindlessness, where one would adhere rigidly to fixed perspectives and act automatically based on false beliefs based on cultural labels, perceived expertise and long term experience. Information is received from authoritative figures, as well as in the historical usage of language itself. In a state of mindlessness, one would go into autopilot, and conduct activities without paying much attention to them. 

Langer writes about the 3 kinds of mindlessness we can fall into

1) Being trapped by categories

Where we are bound by the very narrow definitions and labels that we accord a subject (can be a thing or a person). E.g that person is behaving that way because of his particular culture, race, etc.

2) Automatic Behaviour

where we behave and act on autopilot based on limited information and signals from our environment. When we do this, we fail to let other signals penetrate our cognitive processes. For example we may act in a certain way to deal with our clients, based on what we have done many times in the past, without regard to the unique circumstances faced by the client. 

 

3) Acting on a single perspective

When one gets too fixated on a narrow set of rules or very specific instructions, hence making it difficult to think of alternatives. For example, one who follows the protocols and rules governing the organisation, and unable to offer other alternatives to solve a certain human problem that may not be defined by the highly specific doctrines and policies of the organisation.  

 

The idea of mindfulness is to be authentic to yourself and to be able to respond effectively to the environment based on the unique differences and contexts governing each different situation. Studies conducted have shown that the more mindful responses to our environment are postively correlated to greater competence, health, creativity, better emotional well being and reduced burnout. 

 

So don't be the 1000 year old know-it-all robot, be mindful of every situation you find yourself in. 

 

Comments

[Idah]

One interesting piece of information I heard was about pushing the limits. Something about how the change of contexts or the presence of a new stimulation will diminish the supposed limits we have set for ourselves.

Langer cited a research she did with male animals in which she found that even though normally males would require a period of rest after copulation, the presence of a new female seemed to energize the male despite lack of rest.

Need to find something to stimulate my pupils learning (NOT of course in any way similar to the above example)...

Good audio tape, hunny and very detailed capturing of information on your part.

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"Nice...." Muttered the guy as he continued his leisurely stroll on the beach.

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