Lauren Alderfer - Teaching from the Heart of Mindfulness

2015 by Lauren Alderfer

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

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Parts of this book have been used with permission from Teaching as a Spiritual Practice, 2008, Lauren Alderfer, Full Circle Publishing, New Delhi.

The Tibetan symbols and motifs were used with permission from The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs, 1999, Robert Beer, Shambhala Publications, Boston, Massachusetts.

For free audio recordings of mindfulness practices from this book, teacher resources, classroom posters, inspirational cards, and much more, visit: www.laurenalderfer.com

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ISBN: 978-0-9960872-7-8

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To all my teachers, past, present, and future

TEACHING from the HEART of MINDFULNESS

LAUREN ALDERFER

Foreword by

HIS HOLINESS THE XIV DALAI LAMA

Preface by

MEENA SRINIVASAN

by His Holiness The XIV Dalai Lama

by Meena Srinivasan

AS HUMAN BEINGS WE ALL WANT to live a happy life, but we need a realistic method to achieve our goal. These days, in our materialistic culture, many people are led to believe that money is the ultimate source of happiness. Consequently, when they dont have enough, they feel let down. Therefore, it is important to let people know that they have the source of contentment and happiness within themselves, and that it is related to nurturing our natural inner values.

In this book, Teaching from the Heart of Mindfulness, Lauren Alderfer explains how it is possible to cultivate warmheartedness through the practice of mindfulness. She outlines how we can nourish our basic human nature and become happier individuals. Scientists are increasingly finding evidence that warmheartedness is essential to our general well-being and is something we are equipped with from infancy. It yields a calm mind and self-confidence, which means we can act openly, honestly, and transparently, free from anxiety, fear, and suspicion. It is the basis not only for becoming happier ourselves, but for creating a happier, more peaceful world. It is something I myself find useful and I recommend readers try it for themselves.

November 24, 2014

HIS HOLINESS THE XIV DALAI LAMA

TEACHING IS A SACRED TASK. As educators we are dedicated to making the world a better place, and mindfulness is a powerful means to that end. Mindfulness is the practice we engage in. Its a kind, curious, and compassionate awareness that we bring to the present moment.

Dr. Lauren Alderfer is a pioneer in the field of mindfulness in education. Well before the term mindfulness had entered the mainstream, she had thoughtfully embedded mindfulness into her teaching practice, classroom instruction, and teacher-education work. I had the gift of working with her when she taught at the American Embassy School (AES) in New Delhi, India. During one of my first weeks at AES, I had the privilege of attending a professional development workshop that she facilitated based on one of her earlier books, Teaching as a Spiritual Practice: CultivatingEthical Values for Self-Renewal and Transformation. I was deeply inspired by the depth of reflection she brought forth through both her writing and her warm, loving presence.

That same depth, warmth, and love radiate through the pages of this book, Teaching from the Heart of Mindfulness. Every page invites educators to cultivate their inner lives in the daily act of teaching while developing mindfulness and compassion. With many mindfulness-based curricula being implemented these days, Laurens book fills an important gap in truly supporting the development of personal practice for teachers. After providing a thorough grounding in mindfulness, Lauren takes us on a journey through key aspects of mindfulness practice, from courage to compassion to perseverance. Each chapter includes a guided meditation followed by a vivid classroom application of the practice. Lauren also provides us with very useful tools like the HEARTS Mindfulness-Based Teaching Approach, BREATH, and Mindful Prayer Flags to help embed the practice of mindfulness into our teaching lives.

An authentic voice, coming from years of personal mindfulness practice and experience, is palpable in every word of this inspiring book, which makes it the perfect complement for any mindfulness-based classroom curriculum. Teaching from the Heart of that teachers then transmit to their students. Laurens Mindfulness-Based Teaching Approach not only provides the necessary tools and resources to shift pedagogy, but it is also easily adaptable for students to practice.

Students are reflections of their teachers, and as teachers, the most important teachings we offer transcend academic skills and the acquisition of knowledge. Before teaching content, we must create a learning environment conducive for education. This book is a beautiful guide to help educators cultivate an inner sense of love, so they can receive students with warmth and create a classroom filled with peace.

Teaching from the Heart of Mindfulness shows us what a truly mindful teaching practice looks like. From her own depth of practice, Lauren courageously shares examples of her classroom experiences that will inspire teachers new to mindfulness as well as seasoned practitioners. She is a teachers teacher, and her reflective, compassionate voice communicates wisdom with kindness and grace.

MEENA SRINIVASAN

Author of Teach, Breathe, Learn: Mindfulness In

and Out of the Classroom

A hallmark of mindfulness is the silencing of the mind, giving way to the expanding expression of the heart in the all-knowing present moment. In that stillness there emerges a sacred connection to all.