What is mindfulness, and how does meditation work?

As a person of faith, you understand the spiritual importance of contemplation, prayer, and reflection. But, if you are like most thoughtful people, your life is full of responsibilities, concerns, and distractions. This introspective course invites you to explore ancient traditions of meditation and mindfulness and their connections to joy and happiness.

In Mindfulness, Meditation, and Happiness, Professor Kenneth Rose (PhD, Harvard University), introduces you to the basic practices of meditation. In 24 informational and inspiring audio lectures, you’ll explore the spiritual roots of mindfulness alongside the burgeoning academic and scientific study of mindfulness in connection to human flourishing. Throughout, Dr. Rose counsels you on how to avail yourself of mindfulness practices en route to cultivating happiness.

Dr. Rose calls the ancient practice of mindfulness meditation “a magic bullet that brings waves of happiness flooding into our everyday lives by helping us turn unhelpful thought patterns and habits into positive responses promoting physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, or happiness”. New research on meditation and mindfulness continually finds that their benefits to you are manifold. Happiness has been proven to:

• Curtail procrastination;
• Defeat addiction(s);
• Decrease sensitivity to pain;
• Reduce stress;
• Increase your ability to learn.

A leading scholar in the field of interreligious theology, Dr. Rose is currently senior research fellow at the Graduate Theological Union (Berkeley, California). As your Mindfulness, Meditation, and Happiness guru, you’ll find that he strikes the perfect balance between esteeming scientific inquiry on the one hand and fanning the flames of spiritual yearning on the other.