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De-Mystifying Mindfulness
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 43 hours
  • Course by Universiteit Leiden
  • Offered by

About

Interest in meditation, mindfulness, and contemplation has grown exponentially in recent years. Rather than being seen as mystical practices from ancient Buddhism or esoteric philosophy, they are increasingly seen as technologies rooted in evidence from psychology and neuroscience. Mindfulness has become the basis for numerous therapeutic interventions, both as a treatment in healthcare and as a means of enhancing well-being and happiness. For millions around the world, mindfulness has become a life-style choice, enhancing and enriching everyday experience. Mindfulness is big business. But, what actually is mindfulness? Is it really good for you? Can anyone learn it? How can you recognize charlatans? Would you want to live in a mindful society, and would it smell like sandalwood? What does it feel like to be mindful? Are you mindful already, and how would you know? Evolving from the popular Honours Academy course at Leiden University, this innovative course combines conventional scholarly inquiry from multiple disciplines (ranging from psychology, through philosophy, to politics) with experiential learning (including specially designed ‘meditation labs,’ in which you’ll get chance to practice and analyze mindfulness on yourself). In the end, the course aims to provide a responsible, comprehensive, and inclusive education about (and in) mindfulness as a contemporary phenomenon. During the production of this course, we have been supported by Willem Kuyken, Director of the University of Oxford Mindfulness Centre, and Stephen Batchelor, co-founder of Bodhi College. And we gratefully acknowledge the contributions made by Mark Williams, co-developer of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Rebecca Crane, Director of the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice at the University of Bangor. We have recently added expert advice from Dawn Scott (Spirit Rock & Barre Centre for Buddhist Studies), Sydney Spears (University of Kansa), Elisabeth Stanley (Georgetown University), Susan Woods (Centre for Mindfulness Studies), Patricia Rockman (University of Toronto) and Jeff Corntassel (University of Victoria). "A deep and profound dive into the ethical, social, psychological, and philosophical implications of modern-day mindfulness practice. The course is not for the faint of heart, perhaps, but it is also full of practical, guided exercises for the uninitiated! Thank you for redefining my relationship to Mindfulness in a completely new and thought-provoking way" 28 april 2021 "The course enabled me to explore the mindfulness construct at its deeper lever from philosophical, psychological and political lenses. The mindfulness labs were very useful in practicing the skills of being mindful." 23 nov 2018 "i took this course after a period of time when I was trying to practice mindfulness and meditation, but with doubtful success. The course answered many questions to me, and I needed that to keep me motivated. It really helped me understand the origins and, more importantly, benefits of mindfulness practice and made me persist in my attempts. I'm really glad I took the course, I find it interesting, well taught and very useful for all those seeking deeper explanation in why trying mindfulness." 9 Oct 2018 "I have taken other courses in other online platforms. However, this has been one of the best courses I have found online." 3 Oct 2018 "I really like the invitation to us, the learners, to rethink our preconceptions and beliefs, and then make our own judgement about mindfulness. The overall tone was very friendly and open, resources very useful." 12 Dec 2017

Modules

Introduction to the team and your class

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 2 Discussion
    • 1 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • How mindful are you?

2 Discussions

  • Introduce yourself
  • Organise personal support

2 Videos

  • Course introduction
  • How to succeed in your online class?

2 Readings

  • Assignments in this course
  • Meet the instructor & the team

Theory I: Introduction to Mindfulness

    • 5 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 PeerReview
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Check your knowledge

1 Peer Review

  • Considering preconceptions

1 Discussions

  • What is Mindfulness for you?

5 Videos

  • This thing called 'mindfulness'
  • Preconception - enlightenment
  • Preconception - martial magic
  • Preconception - mindlessness
  • Summary

Practice I: Experiential learning

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Journal after Meditation Lab 1

1 Discussions

  • What did that practice feel like?

2 Videos

  • Meditation lab l part 1
  • Meditation Lab l part 2

1 Readings

  • Med Lab 1: Exercises

Deepening your knowledge I: Meet Willem Kuyken, Oxford Mindfulness Centre

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Kuyken: why mindfulness?
  • Kuyken: representation of mindfulness

Deepening your knowledge I: Meet Stephen Batchelor, Bodhi College

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Batchelor: coming to mindfulness
  • Batchelor: what draws others to mindfulness?

Deepening your knowledge I: Meet Dawn Scott, Spirit Rock & Barre Centre for Buddhist Studies

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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2 Videos

  • Scott: The journey to Mindfulness – self
  • Scott: The journey to Mindfulness - others

1 Readings

  • Bio of Dawn Scott

Deepening your knowledge I: Meet Sydney Spears, University of Kansas

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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3 Videos

  • Spears: The journey to Mindfulness
  • Spears: Representations of Mindfulness
  • Spears: How did you find Mindfulness?

1 Readings

  • Bio Sydney Spears

Deepening your knowledge I: Meet Elizabeth Stanley, Georgetown University

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Stanley: The journey to Mindfulness

1 Readings

  • Bio Elisabeth Stanley

Deepening your knowledge I: Meet Susan Woods & Patricia Rockman

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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2 Videos

  • Woods & Rockman: Representations of Mindfulness, pt.1
  • Woods & Rockman: Representations of Mindfulness, pt.2

1 Readings

  • Bio Susan Woods & Patricia Rockman

Consolidate your knowledge: (re)reading

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • What is this thing called Mindfulness?

Theory II: Psychology of/& Mindfulness

    • 8 Videos
    • 3 Discussion
    • 2 Assignment
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2 Assignment

  • How stressed are you?
  • Check your knowledge

3 Discussions

  • Have you encountered MBIs?
  • Do you have ease of being?
  • Are you stressed?

8 Videos

  • Introduction
  • Operationalizing mindfulness
  • Measuring mindfulness
  • The problem of dis-ease
  • Mindfulness-based stress reduction
  • Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
  • Common principles in mindfulness interventions
  • Summary

Practice II: Experiential learning

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 3 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Journal after Meditation Lab 2

3 Discussions

  • How did that practice feel for you?
  • Poetic reflection
  • Mindful space

1 Videos

  • Meditation lab II

1 Readings

  • Med Lab 2: Exercises

Deepening your knowledge II: Meet Willem Kuyken, Oxford Mindfulness Centre

    • 5 Videos
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5 Videos

  • Kuyken: encountering difficulty
  • Kuyken: assessing teaching
  • Kuyken: science and Buddhism
  • Kuyken: who should teach?
  • Kuyken: 8 weeks later?

Deepening your knowledge II: Meet Stephen Batchelor, Bodhi College

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Batchelor: mindfulness teachers
  • Batchelor: mindfulness qualifications

Consolidate your knowledge: (re)reading

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • Psychology of/& Mindfulness

Theory III: Philosophy of/& Mindfulness

    • 8 Videos
    • 3 Discussion
    • 1 PeerReview
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1 Peer Review

  • Different traditions

3 Discussions

  • Real mindfulness?
  • Are you a Buddhist?
  • Philosophical framework

8 Videos

  • Introduction - why philosophy?
  • Buddhism and sati
  • Vipassana and samatha
  • Zen
  • Daoism
  • Stoicism
  • Modernity and mindfulness
  • Summary

Practice III: Experiential Learning

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 4 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Journal after Meditation Lab 3

4 Discussions

  • How did that practice feel for you?
  • Poetic reflection
  • Mindful walk
  • Mindful space

1 Videos

  • Meditation lab III

1 Readings

  • Med Lab 3: Exercises

Deepening your knowledge III: Meet Willem Kuyken, Oxford Mindfulness Centre

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Kuyken: Buddhism and other traditions

Deepening your knowledge III: Stephen Batchelor, Bodhi College

    • 6 Videos
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6 Videos

  • Batchelor: was Buddha a therapist?
  • Batchelor: secular dharma
  • Batchelor: Pali canon
  • Batchelor: is dharma always Buddhism?
  • Batchelor: dharma needn't be Buddhist
  • Batchelor: towards modern dharma

Deepening your knowledge III: Meet Willem Kuyken & Stephen Batchelor

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Spears: Does Mindfulness need Buddhism?

Deepening your knowledge III: Elizabeth Stanley, Georgetown University

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Stanley: Does Mindfulness need Buddhism?

Consolidate your knowledge: (re)reading

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • Philosophy of/& Mindfulness

Theory IV: Politics of/& Mindfulness

    • 6 Videos
    • 2 Discussion
    • 1 PeerReview
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1 Peer Review

  • Commercial mindfulness

2 Discussions

  • The mindful apocalypse
  • Extreme Mindfulness

6 Videos

  • MANIFESTO! - Don't just do something, sit there!
  • Mindful utopias and distopias
  • Martial mindfulness
  • Mindfulness in education
  • The mindfulness industry
  • Summary

Practice IV: Experiential Learning

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 2 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Journal after Meditation Lab 4

2 Discussions

  • How did that practice feel for you?
  • Mindful space

1 Videos

  • Meditation lab IV

1 Readings

  • Med Lab 4: Exercises

Deepening your knowledge IV: Meet Willem Kuyken, Oxford Mindfulness Centre

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Kuyken: mindfulness in society

Deepening your knowledge IV: Meet Stephen Batchelor, Bodhi College

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Batchelor: mindfulness in society
  • Batchelor: commercialism and mindfulness

Deepening your knowledge IV: Meet Elizabeth Stanley, Georgetown University

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Mindfulness and society

Consolidate your knowledge: (re)reading

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • Politics of/& Mindfulness

Theory V: Mindfulness, Trauma and Social Justice

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • Introduction
  • Mindfulness and Trauma
  • Mindfulness and Social Justice

Practice V: Experiential Learning

    • 2 Readings
    • 2 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Reflection exercises

2 Discussions

  • Safe Anchor?
  • Safety of place

2 Readings

  • Socially Engaged Mindfulness
  • Trauma sensitive meditation by Elisabeth Stanley

Deepening your knowledge V: Meet Dawn Scott, Spirit Rock & the Barre Centre for Buddhist Studies

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Scott: Is access to Mindfulness equal for everyone?
  • Scott: Can meditation be dark?

Deepening your knowledge V: Meet Sydney Spears, University of Kansas

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Spears: Adverse experiences and trauma in Mindfulness
  • Spears: Uneven access to Mindfulness

Deepening your knowledge V: Meet Elizabeth Stanley, Georgetown University

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • Stanley: Adverse experiences and ethics
  • Stanley: Diversity, inclusion, and trauma-sensitivity
  • Stanley: Mindfulness for police and military

Deepening your knowledge V: Meet Susan Woods & Patricia Rockman

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Woods & Rockman: Mindfulness, Society, and Diversity, pt.1
  • Woods & Rockman: Mindfulness, Society, and Diversity, pt.2

Deepening your knowledge V: Meet Jeff Corntassel, University of Victoria

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Corntassel: Mindfulness and Inclusivity
  • Corntassel: Other ways of knowing Mindfulness

Consolidate your learning: (re)reading

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • Mindfulness, Trauma and Social Justice

Theory VI: Mindfulness and Nature & Land

    • 7 Videos
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7 Videos

  • Introduction
  • Escape from the city
  • Being among trees
  • Practicing in elements
  • Practising with the land
  • Practising on Land
  • Gardens

Practice: Experiential Learning

    • 1 Readings
    • 2 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Reflection exercises

2 Discussions

  • Mindfulness of the elements
  • Acknowledgement

1 Readings

  • Guided Meditation by Dawn Scott - the Four Elements

Deepening your knowledge VI: Meet Dawn Scott, Spirit Rock & the Barre Centre for Buddhist Studies

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Wherever you go, the land is already there

Deepening your knowledge VI: Meet Jeff Corntassel, University of Victoria

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Where ever you sit, the land is already there
  • Practices that honour the land

The Mindful Garden project, Leiden University

    • 1 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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1 Videos

  • Healthy Working Habits: The Mindful Garden & Urban Jungle

3 Readings

  • The Mindful Garden Project Brief
  • Podcast Urban Green Spaces
  • Creating your own urban green space

Consolidate your learning: (re)reading

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • Mindfulness and Nature & Land

Course summary: Theory & Practice

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
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1 Discussions

  • Do you feel mindful?

1 Videos

  • Should I be mindful all the time?

Upon Learner Request: The Art of Teaching Mindfulness

    • 6 Videos
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6 Videos

  • Course Update 2019
  • PODCAST: The Art of Teaching Mindfulness, part 1
  • PODCAST: The Art of Teaching Mindfulness, part 2
  • PODCAST: The Art of Teaching Mindfulness, part 3
  • Susan Woods: Teaching as practice
  • Patricia Rockman: Teaching as practice

Upon Learner Request: Mindfulness and Movement

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • PODCAST: Mindfulness and Movement, part 1
  • PODCAST: Mindfulness and Movement, part 2
  • PODCAST: Mindfulness and Movement, part 3

Upon Learner Request: Mindfulness and Despair

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • PODCAST: Mindfulness & Despair

Upon Learner Request: Experiential Learning: Additional Meditations

    • 4 Videos
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4 Videos

  • PODCAST: Meditation Goto-Jones Breath & Body
  • PODCAST: Meditation Goto-Jones Four Step Meditation
  • PODCAST Meditation Goto-Jones 3 step Breathing
  • PODCAST: Meditation Goto-Jones Sitting with Adversity

Course summary: Experience

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 2 Discussion
    • 2 Assignment
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2 Assignment

  • How mindful are you now?
  • Letter to Self

2 Discussions

  • How did that practice feel for you?
  • What next?

1 Videos

  • Meditation Lab V

1 Readings

  • Med Lab 5: Exercises

Parting advice from our guests

    • 6 Videos
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6 Videos

  • Willem Kuyken: Parting advice
  • Dawn Scott: Parting advice
  • Sydney Spears: Parting advice on practice
  • Elizabeth Stanley: Parting advice for students and teachers
  • Susan Woods: Parting advice on practice
  • Patricia Rockman: Parting advice on practice

Innovating Mindfulness

    • 1 Videos
    • 9 Readings
    • 3 Discussion
    • 1 PeerReview
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1 Peer Review

  • Project

3 Discussions

  • What area of Mindfulness excites you?
  • How will you launch your project?
  • How will you report on your project?

1 Videos

  • Honourable Mindfulness

9 Readings

  • Project Gallery
  • Project Sample: Mindfulness & Education
  • Project Sample: Mindfulness & the Workplace
  • Project Sample: Mindfulness & Health
  • Sample Project: Mindfulness & Individual Practice
  • Sample Project: Mindfulness & the Public Sphere
  • Project Sample: the Virtual Ninja Manifesto
  • Project Samples: honourable mentions
  • Presentation Suggestions

Auto Summary

"De-Mystifying Mindfulness" is a dynamic personal development course designed to unravel the complexities of mindfulness, meditation, and contemplation. The course is presented by Coursera and evolved from the popular Honours Academy course at Leiden University, offering a comprehensive exploration rooted in evidence from psychology and neuroscience. Guided by expert instructors such as Willem Kuyken from the University of Oxford Mindfulness Centre and Stephen Batchelor from Bodhi College, the course delves into mindfulness through the lens of multiple disciplines, including psychology, philosophy, and politics. It features practical "meditation labs" where learners can practice and analyze mindfulness techniques. Spanning 2,580 minutes, the course is available through Starter and Professional subscription options, making it accessible to a wide range of learners. It is suitable for anyone interested in enhancing their well-being and happiness or seeking a deeper understanding of mindfulness, regardless of their prior experience. Join this thought-provoking journey to redefine your relationship with mindfulness, backed by contributions from renowned experts like Mark Williams and Rebecca Crane. Whether you're a beginner or looking to deepen your practice, "De-Mystifying Mindfulness" offers valuable insights and practical exercises to enrich your everyday experience.

Chris Goto-Jones
Instructor

Chris Goto-Jones