A New Way to Think About Thinking

In this fourth episode of an eight-part series on meditation and mindfulness, the discussion focuses on being mindful of thoughts. Amanda recently received her certification to teach meditation. She explains how thoughts are mental processes influenced by various factors like environment, culture, and emotions. The episode debunks the myth that meditation aims to stop thoughts, highlighting instead the importance of noticing them. It covers the neural basis of thoughts and offers practical advice on using breath as an anchor during meditation. Personal anecdotes and stories from the classroom demonstrate the significance of observing and questioning thoughts to reduce suffering and promote self-compassion and in turn compassion toward others, including students. The episode concludes with a guided meditation exercise aimed at helping teachers and listeners become more aware of their thinking patterns.00:00 Introduction to Mindfulness of Thoughts01:08 Understanding Thoughts and Their Influence03:43 The Practice of Noticing Thoughts07:16 The Power of Noting and Naming Thoughts10:03 A Touching Story on Mindfulness12:46 Judgment and Bias in Education16:58 Exercise: Counting Your Thoughts23:18 Guided Meditation for Noticing ThoughtsResources: Meditation Mini Lesson 3rd-5th Gradehttps://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-for-3rd-5th-Grade-13806933Meditation Mini Lesson 6th-8th Gradehttps://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-6th-8th-Grade-13815439https://amandawritenow.com/a-new-way-to-think-about-thinking/