Oneness and Compassionate Action

Last week we missed out on a blog. I apologize. The ice days made the rest of the week very busy. 

This week I wanted to share a new perspective on mindfulness and why it is important to practice daily.

When we think about mindfulness and the brain we typically focus on The Amygdala (emotion center), The Hippocampus (our memory), and the Prefrontal Cortex (wise choices). While these are important parts of the brain when it comes to mindfulness it is good to take some time to explore how mindfulness can help our brains in other parts.

Our brains are amazing and we actually know very little about how the function. We learn more and more all of the time, but we still have so much more to learn.

In recent studies it has been found that the Parietal Lobe can also be connected to our mindfulness practices.

Typically the Parietal Lobe is associated with our senses; touch, taste, smell, sight, hearing. Neuroscientist Andrew Newberg, whos main focus is how the brain functions when practicing religion reports that the Parietal Lobe can also be seen in use during a mindfulness practice.

Dr. Newberg reports that a mindful meditation practice creates what he calls a "oneness." For some this oneness is with a spiritual being, nature, and for some it is with each other.

When we practice mindfulness together with our students we create a sense of oneness with them, the class, and the school.

Dr. Newberg's findings continue on to tell us that when we have the sense of oneness our sense of belonging intensifies. 

Wouldn't it be amazing to create a sense of oneness and belonging in your classroom? Perhaps that student who acts out doesn't feel connected to you or the class. A mindfulness practice you participate in too can help create a belonging that student needs to feel. The more a student feels they belong, are connected, and are one with the class, the less they are like to disturb the environment.  

Mindfulness is also often a time of peace and quiet. Studies show that being silent in groups can lead to what is called, compassionate action toward others. Again, the group feeling creates the connection and then drives the compassionate action. How amazing would it be to see that "problem" student feel connected to the class to the point of doing positive actions for and toward others? 

The more we practice mindfulness the more we grow our awareness of our own reality. This then opens us up to recognizing the reality of others.

Take time during our March Mindful Madness to establish and practice a daily routine of mindfulness. Remember, practicing with your students will connect you better to them and open up the possibility of compassionate action.