Attention, Intention, Attitude - Shauna Shapiro

Summary

Dr. Shauna Shapiro, a mindfulness expert, shares her personal journey and professional insights on mindfulness in this insightful conversation. Beginning with her discovery of mindfulness during her college years, she reflects on its transformative power in cultivating compassion, empathy, and presence, particularly within high-stress professions like healthcare and law. She emphasizes that mindfulness is not just a technique, but a practice rooted in intention, attention, and a compassionate attitude. Dr. Shapiro also discusses the pitfalls of perfectionism and self-judgment that can arise in mindfulness practice, advocating for a gentle, accepting approach to being fully alive and present in every moment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mindfulness can help cultivate compassion, presence, and empathy in professionals like healthcare providers and therapists.
• 😀 Mindfulness practice is not about achieving perfection but about embracing one's experiences with curiosity, kindness, and acceptance.
• 😀 Striving for positive thoughts and happiness, as suggested by early mind-body medicine research, may not be authentic for everyone, especially during challenging times.
• 😀 The speaker's discovery of mindfulness in nature during a backpacking trip helped shift their life perspective and initiated their deep study of the practice.
• 😀 Mindfulness is not just a technique but a way of being, which includes both attention and a compassionate, non-judgmental attitude.
• 😀 Professionals in fields like medicine and law often struggle to find time for mindfulness, but it’s essential for self-care and preventing burnout.
• 😀 Self-compassion and taking care of oneself are essential elements in a mindfulness practice, especially when working in helping professions.
• 😀 A major pitfall in mindfulness practice is using it as a tool for self-criticism, reinforcing judgment and perfectionism, rather than embracing self-acceptance.
• 😀 True spirituality in mindfulness means fully experiencing life as it is, being present in each moment without striving to change or control it.
• 😀 The attitude we bring to mindfulness practice, whether it’s kind, curious, and accepting, is just as important as the practice itself.
• 😀 The speaker plans to discuss the three components of mindfulness—intention, attention, and attitude—at an upcoming conference, emphasizing their importance in transforming both personal and professional lives.

Q & A

What inspired the speaker to pursue mindfulness as a focus in their career?

The speaker's journey toward mindfulness began at Duke University, where they were studying mind-body medicine and psychoneuroimmunology. They felt disillusioned with the idea of always needing to be happy and positive, especially as a 19-year-old who often felt lost and confused. A transformative experience during a wilderness trip, where they encountered Jon Kabat-Zinn's book on mindfulness, resonated deeply with them and sparked a lifelong exploration into mindfulness.

How does mindfulness benefit professionals in fields like medicine and psychotherapy?

Mindfulness benefits professionals by cultivating compassion, empathy, and presence. In helping professions, such as healthcare and therapy, mindfulness helps individuals be more present with patients and clients, fostering a deeper connection. It also emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, enabling professionals to take better care of themselves while helping others.

What role does self-compassion play in mindfulness practice for professionals?

Self-compassion is essential in mindfulness practice because it helps individuals avoid self-judgment and perfectionism. Professionals, particularly those in helping fields, may struggle with being overly critical of themselves. The speaker emphasizes that mindfulness is about cultivating kindness and accepting all experiences, including those that don't meet personal expectations.

What are some of the challenges professionals face when integrating mindfulness into their routines?

One challenge is finding time for mindfulness practice amidst busy schedules. Many professionals struggle to prioritize mindfulness, feeling they have too many responsibilities. Another challenge is overcoming perfectionism, as many individuals feel they are not doing mindfulness 'correctly' or are constantly judging their performance, which can counteract the benefits of the practice.

How can mindfulness become a tool for further self-criticism, and how can this be avoided?

Mindfulness can become a tool for self-criticism when individuals use it as another way to measure their performance or 'get it right.' This happens when one becomes rigid in their approach, striving for perfection. To avoid this, the speaker recommends focusing on cultivating kindness, flexibility, and self-acceptance instead of harsh self-judgment.

What is the importance of attitude in mindfulness practice?

Attitude is crucial in mindfulness practice because it shapes the way attention is applied. The speaker emphasizes that the attitude we bring—such as curiosity, kindness, and acceptance—determines the quality of the practice. Mindfulness isn't just about paying attention; it’s about the tone of the attention, which should be compassionate and gentle rather than rigid or judgmental.

What does the speaker mean by 'being fully alive' in the context of mindfulness?

Being fully alive in mindfulness means embracing the present moment with all its experiences, including joy, grief, and anger. It is about feeling the aliveness of the moment rather than trying to escape or change it. The speaker connects this idea to a deeper spiritual experience, where mindfulness is not about striving for perfection but fully experiencing life as it is.

How does mindfulness relate to spirituality, according to the speaker?

Mindfulness, according to the speaker, is deeply connected to spirituality but not in the traditional sense of striving for a particular outcome or 'perfect' state. Instead, it’s about embracing life fully and being present in the moment. The speaker sees spirituality as being alive and engaged in each moment, rather than aiming for a specific goal or state of being.

What will the speaker focus on in their upcoming ITP-ATP conference speech?

In their upcoming speech at the ITP-ATP conference, the speaker plans to focus on the three essential components of mindfulness: intention, attention, and attitude. They aim to explore how each of these elements contributes to a deeper, more compassionate, and effective mindfulness practice, and how they can be applied in both personal and professional settings.

How did the speaker’s first meditation experience in Thailand shape their understanding of mindfulness?

The speaker’s first meditation experience in Thailand was challenging. They struggled with impatience, anger, and judgment towards themselves and the process. After seeking guidance from a monk, they were told that they were practicing impatience rather than mindfulness. This teaching highlighted the importance of attitude in mindfulness and shaped the speaker’s deeper understanding that mindfulness involves kindness and care, not just focused attention.