Dave Smith’s Secular Mindfulness Course

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by SBN Editor

Dave Smith, a Buddhist meditation teacher, addiction treatment specialist, and one of the founders of the Secular Dharma Foundation, is offering an online course on Secular Mindfulness. The course is self-paced and includes introductory video presentations from Dave for each course module, clear and concise explanations of the various topics, videos from scientists and meditation teachers, and guided mindfulness practices.

Dave believes that secular mindfulness needs to integrate the core insights of Early Buddhism, including its emphasis on kindness and compassion in a relational setting, with the scientific, secular perspectives found in biology, neuroscience, and psychology. Based on these insights and perspectives, he identifies four, crucial dimensions or components of mindfulness: somatic, cognitive, emotional, and relational.  In his view, traditional Buddhist approaches to mindfulness have not given sufficient attention to the emotional and relational components of mindfulness.

Course topics include:

Introduction to Mindfulness

  • History of Mindfulness
  • Mindfulness and its Mythology
  • Mindfulness and Mind Defined
  • Four Components of Mindfulness
  • Mindfulness Practice Session

Module 1: The Somatic Component

  • The Somatic Component
  • Mindfulness and the Central Nervous System
  • Somatic Based Skills
  • Mindfulness Practice Session

Module 2: The Cognitive Component Part I

  • Understanding Cognitive Function
  • Working with Difficult Mental States
  • Developing Skillful Mental States
  • Cognitive Based Skills
  • Mindfulness Practice Session

Module 3: The Cognitive Component Part II

  • Thinking is NOT the Enemy
  • Understanding Mental Activities
  • Cognitive Based Skills
  • Mindfulness Practice Session

Module 4: The Emotional Component

  • The Role of Emotion
  • Emotional Intelligence and Competencies
  • Mindfulness and Emotion Practice Session

Module 5: The Relational Component (self/other)

  • Kindness, Empathy and Self Care
  • Compassion
  • Gratitude, Happiness and Well-Being
  • Cultivating Equanimity
  • Mindfulness Practice Session

Module 6: Additional Resources

  • Guided Mindfulness Practices
  • Farewell from the Instructor

To find out more information on the course and/or to register, click here.

Other resources offered by Dave:

The Secular Dharma Foundation: https://seculardharmafoundation.com/

Dave’s Patreon Podcast: guided practices, interviews, talkumentaries, etc. at https://www.patreon.com/davesmithdharma

For those who want more supportive guidance with practice: https://www.davesmithdharma.com/meditation/mentoring/

 

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