I recently came across the article, “Paradoxes of Mindfulness” by Dr. Shauna Shapiro, et al. It addresses the idea that the more focus we place on mindfulness and being happy with who we are, the more we want to change. As we practice mindfulness, we are faced with four paradoxical concepts: (1) Acceptance vs. Change, (2) Escape vs. Engagement, (3) Effort vs. Non-Striving, (4) Self-Focus vs. Non-Self.

In the article, the authors identify three core elements of mindfulness: Intention, Attention, and Attitude. The biggest take away for me is that when we practice mindfulness, we should not be focusing on making things a certain way, but rather relating to things in a certain way.

In other words, mindfulness is all about relationships which is why we select certain activities that provide opportunities to cultivate relationships. When we explore our relation with ourselves, we can form better relationships with others.

I am particularly drawn to the use of metaphors in this article. Since mindfulness is a sanctuary where we can regulate our nervous system as well as an environment where we can learn new tools and develop new neural pathways before returning to daily life, the rain metaphor is the perfect comparison. We can all relate to seeking shelter during a downpour. We run to the closest escape with every intention of heading back out there after a short break. According to the metaphor, mindfulness offers a different approach to the way we view shelter. While in the comfort of shelter, we may decide we need and umbrella. The umbrella represents the new was of being that we learn during our meditation practice. So we are able to open ourselves to re-engaging with the world instead of resisting it.

The second, and my favorite metaphor that the authors present is the comparison of life’s challenges to waves in the ocean. A large part of my mindfulness journey has been connecting with the ocean so this one really hits home for me. We cannot stop stressful events from happening in our lives, but we can retreat to a safe space while they rush over us. We can think of ourselves as scuba divers while the turbulent waves crash above us. On the other hand, we could also learn to surf which would require us to feel the full force of the waves and navigate them skillfully. I love this comparison because it highlights the fact we can escape and engage with the world at the same time -if we do it mindfully.

The final metaphor that resonated with me is the concept of effort without trying too hard to the idea of tuning a lute. The authors of the article cite the advice from Buddha that states if you make the strings too tight, they can break; too loose, and you can’t get any sound. I like this metaphor because it stresses the importance of adjustments. When it comes to navigating the road of life, we all need to make adjustments according to our own personal journey. These adjustments will look different for each person depending on the direction they are headed. I find this metaphor a fitting reminder of why we should not compare ourselves to others. Mindfulness provides us with on opportunity to listen to our inner self and trust our intuition.

As a teacher I deal with the paradox of knowing how important it is to teach mindfulness to students without making it mandatory. All we can do is reference it when appropriate and be aware of opportunities as they authentically arise.

The aspect of the article that I would like to learn more about is the focus on the neuroscience of mindfulness. As someone who has personally experienced the rewiring of my brain through my mindfulness practice, I didn’t need to understand the science behind for it to work for me. But as someone who wants to spread the benefits of mindfulness with my colleagues and students, I wonder if focusing on the neuroscience of mindfulness would help bring the healing aspects of it to those who may be skeptical to learn about it.

Do you think using metaphors about mindfulness and highlighting the neuroscience behind it are useful strategies for bringing awareness to teachers and students ?