Contemplation & Mindfulness in Higher Education

Abstract

This chapter presents initial observations of a pilot that introduces mindfulness meditation into teaching and university life. Short meditations were offered at the start of Year 1 and 2 lectures, besides weekly drop-in sessions. The purpose was to enhance the student experience through the affective domain, identified by Thomas 2012 as a key factor in improving retention. Contemplative practices (CPs) consist of enhancing awareness of the ‘here’ and ‘now’, characterised by the foregrounding of ‘being’ and ‘living’, rather than ‘doing’ or ‘knowing’. Thus, it could be argued that CPs have the potential to enhance the affective dimensions of the student experience and thus, indirectly, impact positively on retention. Students and staff perceived benefits that applied to learning and teaching specifically, but also to broader dimensions of their personal life. Overall there was enthusiasm from both students and staff for the innovation and a request to continue and expand current provision.

Appendices

Appendix 1 Evaluation Questions for In-class Practice

The following questions were used with a Likert scale (Strongly Agree-Agree-Neither Agree or Disagree-Disagree-Strongly Disagree-Not Applicable) for the in-class practice. There was also one open question (Q.6) to provide students with an opportunity to comment freely on their experience

Semester 1:

• 1. Prior to this semester , I had experience of contemplation/mindfulness.

• 2. I regularly engaged with the mindfulness/contemplation programme this term.

• 3. The mindfulness/contemplation practice was useful in helping me improve my concentration and focus during each class session.

• 4. As a result of practicing mindfulness/contemplation I believe my academic performance improved.

• 5. I wish to continue practicing mindfulness/contemplation at the start of each class session.

• 6. Please share any other thoughts and feelings regarding mindfulness contemplation practice this semester .

Semester 2:

• 1. I believe that the brief Mindfulness practice should be continued next year at the beginning of the lecture for the first year students.

• 2. Please provide your opinion in the form of an adjective (great, rubbish, brilliant, time wasting, relaxing, etc.) to describe the benefits you did or did not receive from the Mindfulness practice this semester .

Appendix 2 Example Practice

Contemplative Practice and Mindfulness in Higher Education

Meditation in 7 steps:

• 1. Be comfortable in body & mind. Sit in an upright chair, your back well supported. Feet flat on the floor (you could take off your shoes). Head easily balanced on top of your spine. Hands palms-up in your lap, one palm on top of the other, or palms down, on your knees. Arms relaxed by your sides

• 2. Deep breaths: Take three deep breaths in and out, as deep as is comfortable, without straining. Do this in your own rhythm

• 3. Centre yourself mentally: Become aware of the feelings of your body on the chair, your feet on the floor. Then become aware of the sounds around you, any smells, the feeling of the air on your skin, and of your clothes on your skin. Close your eyes if they are still open.

• 4. Bring your attention to your breathing: Focus on the feeling and sound of your breathing. Remain still and feel the gentle in-and outflow of your breath. Feel it in your ribcage/chest, your abdomen, shoulders, and nostrils.

• 5. Return to the breath: Usually, after some time, a sound or a memory, a feeling or emotion will carry your attention with it. You may be caught up into this flow for just a few seconds or much longer. At some point you will realise what has happened. When you do, just return your attention to your breathing as in step 4. Keep going through step 4 and 5 during the meditation as needed.

• 6. Return to the here an now: Once the time is up, bring your attention back to the sensations of your body on the chair and feet on the floor. Become aware of the sounds and the feeling of the air on your skin. Become aware of the people in the room and bring yourself solidly back to the here and the now.

• 7. Resume regular activity: Gently open your eyes. Take a few minutes to re-adjust to where you are. Smile. Drink a glass of water. If you want, write a journal entry. Then resume your activities as usual.