Kindness and Curiosity
Routledge eBooks March 18, 2021 DOI: 10.4324/9781003144083-4 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that loving-kindness and mindfulness practices, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, can shift how people engage with the world and foster positive emotions and connection. Contends that practitioners often turn mindfulness into a competitive goal, and proposes responding to these tendencies with kindness and curiosity so one can notice internal processes without judgment. |
Abstract
The benefits of loving kindness meditation on generative positive emotions, cultivating connection, and love towards others and oneself is well-documented in literature. Through intentional practices such as mindfulness meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy, people can change how we engage with the world. Cognitive training can even reverse brain aging. Exercise and physical activity can slow aging. One can train their brain to slow down, be fast, respond to and interpret cues differently etc. Mindfulness beginning can be exhilarating but also frustrating. Some people go step a forward and start looking at mindfulness success as another goal they must accomplish for the day. Some people even want to be the best at contemplative practice. People address these competitive, instrumental tendencies by being kind and curious. Curiosity allows one to notice their own internal processes. Kindness allows one to be non-judgmental about them.