Dena Samuels PhD - The Mindfulness Effect: An Unexpected Path to Healing, Connections, & Social Justice

My Brilliant ImageOne day the sun admitted, I am just a shadow. I wish I could show you the Infinite Incandescence that has cast my brilliant image! I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the Astonishing Light of your own Being ~ HafizI dedicate this book to my openhearted and dearest friend, Daryl L. Miller, whose love and astonishing light will live on in my heart always.

The Mindfulness Effect: An unexpected journey to healing, connection, and social justice.

Copyright 2018 Dena Samuels PhD.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

ISBN (Paperback): 978-1-7324836-0-6 ISBN (eBook): 978-1-7324836-1-3 ISBN (Audio Book): 978-1-7324836-2-0 Library of Congress Control Number: 2018949101

Front cover image: Dena Samuels PhD Book & cover design: Matthew LaFleur

First printing edition 2018.

Samuels, Dena The mindfulness effect: an unexpected journey to healing, connection, and social justice / Dena Samuels p. cm.

Publisher Night River Press Denver, CO, 80209 www.nightriverpress.com

Other books by author: The Culturally Inclusive Educator: Preparing for a Multicultural World (Teachers College Press, 2014) The Matrix Reader: Examining the Dynamics of Oppression and Privilege (McGraw-Hill, 2009)

Dedication

My Brilliant Image

One day the sun admitted, I am just a shadow. I wish I could show you the Infinite Incandescence that has cast my brilliant image! I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the Astonishing Light of your own Being ~ Hafiz

I dedicate this book to my openhearted and dearest friend, Daryl L. Miller, whose love and astonishing light will live on in my heart always.

Praise for The Mindfulness Effect

Dr. Dena Samuels teaches with radical authenticity, courageous vulnerability, and deep wisdom. The Mindfulness Effect is a rich and practical manual for personal and collective healing, empowerment, and profound social justice. ~ Rabbi Jessica Kessler Marshall

The Mindfulness Effect has changed how I interact with the world and myself. I love how immediate and interactive it is! Ive been unsure how to meditate in the past, I felt like I wasnt doing it right. I had no idea that meditation/mindfulness was so useful in self-healing. The practices really pulled me in and I ended up writing a meditation journal which was a useful tool of introspection. I see so much more clearly how mindfulness can help me lead a happy and more meaningful life. A life that Im choosing. Also, the way the book seamlessly connected mindfulness and social justice changed my whole schematic. I wouldnt have thought of the connection before, but now I dont know how we would even try to resolve social justice issues without mindfulness and self-healing. Teaching people mindfulness helps them see their own biases and can soften their views on those who are different than themselves. ~ Jaime Pederson , physical therapist

So much wisdom and caring is felt in these words and the simplicity with which the information about mindfulness is related is easy and inspiring to receive. Samuels storytelling is an integral part of diving into the material, as it demonstrates the ideas and concepts in experiential form. As a kinetic learner, that helps me a lot. It also brings a rich creative hand to the book, moving it from instructional to felt. Samuels brings a most heart-satisfying, wholeness and healing gift to the world ~ Norma Johnson , social justice poet & performing artist

So much to absorb and ponder. Thank you for this wonderful book! Its such a wise and also humble offering. ~ Debbie Zucker , anti-racial activist and educator

This beautifully written and insightful book helps me understand more and more clearly that through mindfulness, meditation and decluttering practices, I am happier, healthier, more connected, more awake and conscious and aware. The practices Dr. Samuels encourages her readers to engage with are a journey toward personal freedom that also enables me/us to be of better service for social and environmental justice work. ~ Kristen Suttles , writer

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface: Cultivating Freedom from Within

My Journey: From Breaking Down to Breaking Free

Introduction: What is Mindful Liberation?

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness Practices

Practice 1: Present Moment/Finding Stillness/Focusing on the Breath

Practice 2: Leaf on a Stream/Cloud in the Sky

Chapter 1: Social Conditioning Living from the Outside In

Who are You?

We are More Than our Thoughts & Emotions

Practice 3: The Observer

Estradas Hand Activity

We are More Than Our Stories

Practice 4: Unpacking Our Stories

We are More than What Happened to Us

Practice 5: Finding Your Gifts

Chapter 2: Who/What We Really Are Living from the Inside Out

Practice 6: We are More than the Bodies that Hold Us

Inspired Self

Conditioned Self

Two Aspects of Ourselves

Making Use of Mindfulness Practices

Chapter 3: Mindfulness in Context and Spiritual Bypassing

Practice 7: Expanding Your Light/Connecting with Community

Spiritual Bypassing

Colorblindness or Post-Racialism

Acknowledging Social Privilege

A Privilege Inventory

Chapter 4: Mindfulness to Discover the Wisdom Our Bodies Hold

Embodied Learning

Embodied Leadership

Practice 8: From Reaction to Response: Cultivating Openheartedness

Chapter 5: Mindful Liberation

From Head to Heart

Mindful Liberation & Singers Thorn Analogy

Practice 9: Embodied Healing

Going Even Deeper: Mindfully Dissolving Singers Dark Box

Chapter 6: Mindfully Living On Purpose Finding Your Purpose for a Meaningful Life

Finding Your Purpose Follow Your Bliss

Practice 10: Finding your Purpose: Getting Still, Asking, and Listening

A Desire Inventory

Practice 11: Imagine! Dream Big!

Setting Intentions