Mindful August 2018

Editor-in-Chief barry@mindful.org Our must-read story this issue: “30 Days to the Same Old Me” follows Stephanie Domet through a month-long meditation challenge, from anxiety to epiphany, and everything in between. On page 44. Mindfulness—where does it come from? Naturally, we hear this question a lot. We’ve addressed it on several occasions, including in a piece now online called “5 Things People Get Wrong about Mindfulness,” but it’s helpful to address core questions like this again and again. There is no final answer, no last word on the matter. The many mindfulness teachers and advocates who encouraged us to start Mindful—and whom we represent in everything we do—believe mindfulness is an inherent human capability that belongs to anyone irrespective of race, creed, gender, you name it. It is our birthright. What is…

What do you do when you’re with friends? • “Watch TV at home after dinner.”• “Ride motorcycles with our Harley owners group.”• “Meet at one of our houses, have a big meal together, lots of snacks, and the kids go crazy. No matter the time of year, it ends with a bonfire.”• “Shopping and lunch.”• “We do as many things as possible. Friendships take time, and each event helps me learn more about my friends.”• “Talk and talk and talk.”• “Go for a walk or horseback ride.”• “Sometimes we do ceramics or go paddleboarding or see a movie.”• “Celebrate!” How often do you spend leisure time with friends? If you have pets, do you consider them your friends? What friendship dynamic do you appreciate the most? • “Being there for…

Teaching the whole person According to the American College Health Association, nearly 1 in 5 students struggle with anxiety or depression, and the most recent report from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health lists these two conditions as the top reasons students seek counseling. One of the more creative attempts to address the challenge is a for-credit course called The Art and Science of Human Flourishing, piloted by the University of Virginia, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Penn State. It recognizes the fact that college students face the multidimensional challenge of succeeding academically and adjusting to living on one’s own while maintaining a healthy social life–spheres that have traditionally been treated separately. David Germano, religious studies professor and director of UVA’s Contemplative Sciences Center, says one of the keys to…

Two men who beat their drug and alcohol addictions want to provide a safe, social space to ease the challenges of maintaining sobriety. They’re opening a café in Windsor, Ontario, for recovering addicts to hang out and support one another. Not sure how fresh your leftovers are? Scientists at McMaster University in Ontario used DNA molecules to create a sensor that could be added to food packaging (say, inside a milk carton). The patch will glow when it detects harmful bacteria. While camping with their children, members of a Scottish metal band donned facepaint and black clothing—just for fun. Fun, that is, until passersby feared the hardcore campers were in a suicide cult and called emergency services to “rescue” the group. The UK’s Chiltern Railways is encouraging passengers to stash…

When was the last time you noticed how your body was feeling? Not just when you have a headache or you’re tired or you have heartburn after that spicy taco you ate for lunch. But just noticing how your body is feeling right now, while you’re sitting or standing or lying down. How about noticing how your body feels while you’re sitting in an important meeting or walking down the street or playing with your children? In our busy, high-tech, low-touch lives, it’s easy to operate detached from our own bodies. They too easily become vessels we feed, water, and rest so they can continue to cart around our brains. We don’t pay attention to the information our bodies are sending us or the effect that forces such as stress…

TRY THIS One of my all-time favorite ways to prepare watermelon is also exceedingly simple, inspired by the classic fruta con chile y limón (or “fruit with chili and lime”), a preparation I fell in love with on my travels in Mexico. Cube or slice up a watermelon, sprinkle it with fresh lime juice, spicy red pepper flakes, and salt, let it marinate in the fridge for at least half an hour, and then toss the melon in the juices left behind. The tingle of the chili and tang of the lime add a little dazzle, while the sweet luscious fruit takes the spotlight. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Claire Ciel Zimmerman is Mindful’s Deputy Editor and Eater-in-Chief. NUTRITION INFO Both watermelon flesh and seeds are packed with antioxidant benefits and vitamin…