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Mindfulness, Authentic Connection, and Making “Right” Decisions: Using Neuroscience to Build a Bridge with the Person-Centered Approach

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Abstract

This chapter explores a bridge between mindfulness and the person-centered approach (PCA), especially in this challenging time of reliance on electronic communication. Carl Rogers pioneered awareness in dialogic communication. Jon Kabat-Zinn pioneered mindfulness, a special kind of inner awareness. What they share is the prevalence of authenticity and neural process. Both involve integration of thinking (frontal cortex) and feeling (limbic system) or, in Rogers’ terms, congruence, as well as non-judgmental acceptance. Understanding the bridge between mindfulness and PCA enhances both.

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Ryback, D. (2013). Mindfulness, Authentic Connection, and Making “Right” Decisions: Using Neuroscience to Build a Bridge with the Person-Centered Approach. In: Cornelius-White, J., Motschnig-Pitrik, R., Lux, M. (eds) Interdisciplinary Handbook of the Person-Centered Approach. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7141-7_8

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