"'Do no harm' is the guiding precept for health care professionals. The definition of 'harm' is key in this context, particularly as the distinction between physical, mental and emotional pain or distress merges in such programs as MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) ie one could have chronic pain or an incurable illness, but reach a place of acceptance and calm; or perhaps a deeper emotional pain may be experienced for the first time. As well, the definition of 'harm' can be open to interpretation, depending on the capacity of both the participant and the instructor to remain present to their experience. In this context, the individual's perception of the experience and the instructor's skill in perceiving what is going on at multiple levels are crucial (eg if an instructor allows a participant to remain with his pain in order to gain some insight, or perhaps encourages a participant to not 'push' himself so hard, yet never allows him to move through an experience - then is 'harm' being done?).
Dobkin PL, Irving JA, Amar S. "For whom may participation in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program be contraindicated?" Mindfulness
2011; DOI 10.1007/s12671-011-0079-9
A 20-year-old marine and a mature gardener likely have very different takes on the word "effort". The wise use of effort is a subtle art in both mindfulness meditation as well as in the growing family of mindfulness-based interventions - see:
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| Photo: Colin Bates http://www.coastalimageworks.com/ |
Hi,
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to actively pursue wise effort at an earlier age?
I'm sure it is. Young people have more energy and believe more strongly in their ability to achieve objectives by a short burst of high energy than older folks who have experienced the limits of aggressively pushing boundaries, and perhaps are more inclined to go at a gentler, and perhaps more persistent pace - sort of a turtle and the hare idea. A gardener tries to provide all of the causes & conditions for seeds to bloom, then waits patiently for them to grow naturally, at their own pace, their own schedule. I think the idea is to combine minimal force with steady, persistent attention and no expectation. Youth is no barrier to gaining wisdom - go for it!
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