Hello wonderful people,
And welcome back to the Wisdom Workshop Newsletter, a weekly collection of quotes, links, and questions that might promote human flourishing.
This is issue #48, an inquiry into how cultivating mindfulness might help us train our imaginations for greater interpersonal belonging and moral goodness.
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And it’s my 41st birthday this weekend! 🥳 We’re celebrating by releasing new music and giving a 50%-off discount for any enrollment made before Sunday, April 9th, at 2023 at midnight mountain time.
If you want re-imagine midlife education with us, use promo code BIRTHDAY50 on any wisdom workshop enrollment. May start-dates are now live.
You can defer this discounted enrollment indefinitely, or transfer the enrollment to someone else as a gift. 🎁
AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE!!!
💎 Five Gems on Mindfulness and Imagination
“You can’t be healthy if you’re not there …and the consequences of being in one state of mind or another are enormous. Virtually all of our suffering … is the direct or indirect consequence of our mindlessness.”
―Ellen Langer, writer and scholar
“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.”
― Henri Matisse, painter
“Instructions for living a life. / Pay attention. / Be astonished. / Tell about it. ”
― Mary Oliver, poet
“Imagination is the great instrument of moral good. A man to be greatly good, must imagine intensely and comprehensively; he must put himself in the place of another and of many others; the pains and pleasures of his species must become his own.”
―Percy Bysshe Shelley, poet
“Ironically, to be truly original and imaginative today, we would have to challenge these very values [of hyper-individualism, “self-realization,” creativity, and uniqueness].”
―Anna Katharina Schaffner, writer and scholar
🔗 Links for Mindfulness, Re-imagining Education, and Re-imagining Ourselves
Ellen Langer’s Definition of Mindfulness: “NOTICE NEW THINGS.” See her speech 'Counterclockwise: The Power of Possibility' which shows the dangers of mindlessness, and the wide-reaching benefits of mindfulness.
Acumen Academy’s re-imagining of the university for social good. What an inspiring and encouraging model for leadership development — with loads of free courses, social-impact business accelerators, and a fellowship program.
Dr. Dan Seigel’s — recent work on Me + We = Mwe. Dr. Seigel, co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA, is doing incredible work showing how our modern approaches to self-care, self-regulation, self-actualization, and even self-compassion all reinforce the lie of the separate self. Seigel draws on indigenous wisdom and contemplative approaches to inter-connectedness to healing that focuses on belonging to a much larger whole.
Presence, Parenting and The Planet with Dr. Dan Seigel. A talk at Google focused on how the sciences of inter-personal neurobiology can help our children thrive. We’re not quite there yet, but his book Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain looks great.
🔗 further reading / sources
📚 Chapter 7 on “Use Your Imagination ” in the The Art of Self-Improvement : Ten Timeless Truths by Anna Katharina Schaffner (2021) offers a compelling argument for the central role that imagination plays in developing ourselves beyond what we might currently think is possible.
📚 Chapter 7 on “Mindfulness” in Wired To Create : Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind by Scott Barry Kaufman (2016) provides a great overview of the literature on mindfulness and the many benefits of becoming an artist of our attention.
🤓 Mindfulness, Imagination, and ChatGPT?
4.7.2023
Dear ChatGPT:
How does"variability" in Ellen Langer's presentation of mindfulness (as noticing new things) promote general human well-being?
Ellen Langer's concept of mindfulness involves actively noticing new things, which fosters an increased awareness of the present moment, a non-judgmental attitude, and a heightened sense of curiosity. Variability is connected to this concept in several ways:
Embracing variability: Mindfulness encourages individuals to embrace the variability present in their environment, relationships, and personal experiences. By acknowledging and appreciating the uniqueness of each moment, one can cultivate a more open and curious mindset that enhances well-being.
Enhancing adaptability: When we notice variability, we are better equipped to adapt to changing circumstances. This adaptability can reduce stress, increase resilience, and lead to more effective problem-solving.
Encouraging creativity: By actively noticing new things and recognizing the variability in the world around us, we can stimulate our creative thinking. This can lead to innovative solutions, personal growth, and a sense of accomplishment, which contributes to our overall well-being.
Breaking autopilot mode: Many people go through their daily lives operating on autopilot, following routines without truly being present. Noticing variability interrupts this autopilot mode, allowing for a more mindful and engaged experience of life.
Reducing negative judgments: Mindfulness, as defined by Langer, encourages a non-judgmental attitude. When we notice the variability in our experiences and the world around us, we become less likely to judge things as "good" or "bad" and more likely to accept them as they are. This can reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy, promoting overall well-being.
In summary, variability is connected to Ellen Langer's presentation of mindfulness by fostering an open, curious, and adaptive mindset that can contribute to an individual's general well-being. By noticing new things and embracing the variability of life, we can break free from autopilot mode, enhance our creativity, and cultivate a more fulfilling and engaged experience of the world around us.
How is this notion of noticing variability to promote human flourishing connected to the practical uses of the imagination for self-improvement?
The notion of noticing variability to promote human flourishing is connected to the practical uses of imagination for self-improvement in several ways:
Enhancing creativity: By noticing variability and engaging with the world mindfully, individuals can develop a greater sense of curiosity and openness to new experiences. This heightened awareness can stimulate the imagination, leading to creative thinking and problem-solving that can be applied to personal growth and self-improvement.
Developing empathy: Noticing the variability in others and their experiences can foster empathy, as individuals learn to appreciate different perspectives and life circumstances. Imagination allows people to mentally "step into" others' shoes and better understand their emotions, thoughts, and motivations. This understanding can lead to improved relationships and social skills, contributing to personal development.
Setting and achieving goals: Imagination plays a crucial role in envisioning future scenarios, setting goals, and planning how to achieve them. By noticing variability, individuals become more aware of the various possibilities and opportunities available to them, enabling them to use their imagination to set realistic and achievable goals for self-improvement.
Overcoming obstacles: Imagination can be used to visualize possible challenges and develop strategies to overcome them. Noticing variability helps individuals become more adaptable and resourceful in the face of change, making it easier to navigate obstacles on the path to self-improvement.
Reducing stress and anxiety: Mindful engagement with variability can help individuals develop a more balanced perspective on life's ups and downs, reducing negative judgments and promoting acceptance. Imagination can be used to create calming mental images or envision positive outcomes, helping to alleviate stress and anxiety.
Building resilience: By noticing variability and applying imagination to personal development, individuals can cultivate resilience in the face of adversity. Imagining potential setbacks and developing coping strategies can help build a strong foundation for emotional and mental well-being.
In conclusion, the connection between noticing variability and the practical uses of imagination for self-improvement lies in their complementary roles in fostering creativity, empathy, adaptability, and resilience. By actively noticing new things and embracing life's variability, individuals can harness the power of imagination to envision and pursue personal growth and self-improvement, ultimately leading to human flourishing.
Can you provide some basic suggestions for training and developing our imaginative faculties in a way that also promotes our capacity for mindfulness?
Certainly! Here are some basic suggestions for training and developing your imaginative faculties in a way that also promotes your capacity for mindfulness:
Mindful meditation: Incorporate regular mindful meditation practices into your daily routine. Focus on your breath, body sensations, or a specific object, and when your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the present moment. This practice can help improve your ability to concentrate and maintain a mindful state, which in turn can enhance your imaginative faculties.
Visualization exercises: Practice visualization exercises by imagining vivid scenes or situations in your mind. This could involve picturing a serene natural setting, envisioning the steps required to achieve a specific goal, or creating mental images of positive outcomes in challenging situations. Visualization can help develop your imaginative skills while also promoting mindfulness by keeping your attention focused on the present moment.
Creative hobbies: Engage in creative hobbies, such as drawing, painting, writing, or playing a musical instrument. These activities can stimulate your imagination and promote mindfulness by requiring you to focus on the task at hand and be fully present in the creative process.
Journaling: Keep a daily journal to record your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Reflect on the day's events and consider alternative ways they could have unfolded. This practice can help improve your capacity for mindfulness by encouraging you to be more aware of your thoughts and emotions while also fostering your imagination.
Mindful reading: Practice mindful reading by fully immersing yourself in the content of a book, article, or story. Visualize the scenes and characters as you read, and allow your imagination to create a mental movie of the narrative. This can help enhance your imaginative faculties while also promoting mindfulness by keeping your attention focused on the present moment.
Explore new environments: Seek out new experiences and environments that expose you to different perspectives, cultures, and ways of life. Travel, attend cultural events, or visit museums and art galleries. These experiences can stimulate your imagination and encourage you to be more mindful by actively noticing new things.
Mindful listening: Practice mindful listening when engaging with others or when listening to music, podcasts, or other audio content. Focus on the sounds, the speaker's tone, and the emotions conveyed. This can help develop your imaginative faculties by encouraging you to envision the stories or situations being described while also promoting mindfulness through active listening.
By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you can train and develop your imaginative faculties in a way that also promotes your capacity for mindfulness. These activities can help you cultivate a more open, curious, and engaged experience of the world, which can contribute to personal growth, well-being, and overall human flourishing.
✌ Thank You
I hope this email encourages us all to practice presence and imagination where it matters.
Until next time, yours in re-imagining midlife education,
Sean
🏛 Good News from the Workshops
🎉 Beltane-inspired May Start Dates are up!
50%-off discount for any enrollment made before Sunday, April 9th, at 2023 at midnight mountain time with promo code BIRTHDAY50 .
You can defer this discounted enrollment indefinitely, or transfer the enrollment to someone else as a gift. 🎁
🎙 Sean Waters Upcoming Live Events
🎧Friday, April 21: “Tell Her That I Love Her” Release Date! First single we’ve released since 2021… and it’s a fun one. Follow along on Spotify or Apple Music.
🎵 Saturday, April 22 : Sean Waters and Friends at the Forge Publick House in Fort Collins, Colorado | 21+ | 8-10pm MST
🎵 Friday, April 28 : Sean Waters and Friends at Wolverine Farm as a part of FoCoMX 2023 : Fort Collins, Colorado | All Ages | 9:30-10:30 pm MST / Tickets.
🪴 Wednesday, May 3 : Start of the next cohort of Foundations of the Good Life on Mindful Writing and Good Life Design. Virtual on Zoom, Seven Weeks at 7pm MT.
🖼️ Tuesday, May 9 : Start of the next cohort for life-artists in The Art of Living Beautifully. Virtual on Zoom, 12 weeks at 1pm MT.
Questions on what we’re up to? Want to schedule a chat? Schedule a call with me.
I acknowledge that the land where I write these words was the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute Nations and peoples. This was also a site of trade, gathering, and healing for numerous other Native tribes. I recognize the Indigenous peoples as original stewards of this land and all the relatives within it.