Quieting The Mind Part 1: Why & How

'Quieting the Mind Part 1' explores the nature of mindfulness and the very considerable physical, cognitive and emotional benefits that accrue from developing this capability. A quiet mind is a strong mind and leads to efficiency, mental clarity and high productivity. In this and the following talk we’ll examine why and how this is so. In Part 1 we examine the reasons that a quiet mind is so beneficial, and we look at two practices to induce it: extended out-breathing and a simple mindfulness meditation. The breathing exercise works by turning down our 'fight-flight' (sympathetic) nervous system in favour of our 'rest and digest' (parasympathetic) nervous system. The mindfulness of the breath exercise trains the mind to be calmer, less distracted and more equanimous or accepting.