MINDFULNESS MEDITATION

Mindfulness reveals a mind-full of awareness. We know what is going on inside of us. We are aware of what is happening around us. We are fully present to all of it--the pleasant and the unpleasant--and because we are, we can make the wisest, kindest choice. We see with clarity and sit with our thoughts without judgment and beating our self up. This is mindful living.

Mindful Meditation uses many forms of meditation. Our breathing becomes important in mindful meditation. When our mind wanders we always go back to our breath and begin again with equanimity, with out judgement and unkindness. We actually do meditate mindfully many times through out the day and we may not even realize this. Stopping for 5 seconds to look (focus) at a tree, a flower, the sound around us, or even a smell that brings us happiness and reminds us of a good thought is meditation. Meditation requires nothing accept our mind and body. Meditation poses, sitting cushions, candles burning, etc... are fluff and not needed for meditation, however, they may add to one's own self practice of having a sacred space.

 

 

Cindy Harpe Hively

http://www.buddhachicklife.com/1/post/2012/09/barks-and-wagging-tails-of-mindfulness.html

DECISION MAKING  in ACTION

Presented by John Heil at Roanoke College to a business seminar "The Art of Critical Thinking" taught by Jack White. A description follows:

A blending of sport psychology theory with the perspective of the chess master and the philosophy of the traditional Zen warrior. While focused on the sport of fencing, the seminar examines the ideal mind set for action under pressure in critical moments, within sport and other performance domains. The presentation will include an examination of rapid cognition, and the need to balance strategic analysis and tactical thinking  with instinctive action.

A related video can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZfYPLWQqmQ&feature=youtu.be

 

Popular Pain-Relieving Medicines Linked to Hearing Loss in Women

 

According to a study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), women who took ibuprofen or acetaminophen two or more days per week had an increased risk of hearing loss. The more often a woman took either of these medications, the higher her risk for hearing loss.

The link between these medicines and hearing loss tended to be greater in women younger than 50 years old, especially for those who took ibuprofen six or more days per week.

There was no association between aspirin use and hearing loss.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120912125832.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

Suicide Prevention Expert Outlines New Steps to Tackle Military Suicide

The suicide rate in the U.S. Army now exceeds the rate in the general population, and psychiatric admission is now the most common reason for hospitalization in the Army.

Dr. Lineberry of Mayo Clinic outlines four steps based on past research and emerging evidence that he believes could help begin curbing military suicide:

• Reduce access to guns and other means of suicide. Nearly 70 percent of veterans who commit suicide use a gun to do it.
• Watch for sleep disturbances. Complaints of insomnia or other sleep disturbances in otherwise healthy soldiers, reservists, or veterans may signal the need for taking a careful history and screening for depression, substance misuse and post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Prescribe opioid medications carefully and monitor. Unintentional overdose deaths, primarily with opioids, now outnumber traffic fatalities in many states. Individuals with psychiatric illness are overrepresented among those receiving prescriptions for opioids and those taking overdoses.
• Improve primary care treatment for depression. Research suggests that patients who die by suicide are more likely to have visited a primary care physician than mental health specialist in the previous month. Programs developed to improve primary care physicians' recognition and treatment of depression could help lower suicide rates.

 

 

For more information: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120910122651.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

The US Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Takeback Day

Saturday, September 29, 2012, from 10 AM to 2 PM

At the last event, in April, 276 tons of unused, expired, or excess medication was collected, bringing the total for the four events held to over 1.5 million pounds (774 tons).

Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicate that about 70% of the time someone misuses a prescription opioid medication, the source of that medication is family or friends—often from home medicine cabinets.

 

To find out where your local event will be held, visit the DEA website at http://1.usa.gov/UpAccQ.

 

 

 

Training in Criminal Justice

Criminal justice is a field with growing popularity. More and more degree and certificate programs are becoming available, both online and on-campus.

Katie Perro, who has been a police officer for 11years, has developed a site to help students who are interested in pursuing an advanced degree in Criminal Justice.

For more information go to: http://criminaljusticephd.org/