Friday 27 July 2012

Mindfulness, Medicine & the Hippocratic Oath


     "Mindfulness is a way of relating to oneself and the world that is characterized by curiosity, openness, and acceptance." Is this not the basis of a scientific approach?
     "Mindfulness is a skill that can be cultivated through repeated practice, such as through mindfulness meditation, in which individuals continually bring attention to their breath while maintaining an open and gentle awareness of the present moment.


     Mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions are continuing to gain empirical support as effective treatments for a range of psychological disorders, as well as chronic pain and stress. In addition to decreasing physical and psychological sufferingmindfulness may increase well-being and quality of life ..." Echoes of the Hippocratic oath?
         Erisman SM, Roemer L. A Preliminary Investigation of the Process of Mindfulness. Mindfulness 2012; 3: 30–43.

     You may wish to try one of the short mindfulness meditation exercises supplied by the Ontario Medical Association:  http://www.phpoma.org/Mindfulness.html 

Halifax, Nova Scotia



 

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