Flourishing with Mindfulness & Character Strengths Practices

Ryan M. Niemiec, PsyD Education Director and Psychologist

VIA Institute on Character ryan@viacharacter.org www.ryanniemiec.com

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HP Live July 19, 2013

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Mindfulness: A Scientific Definition

+ Self-Regulation Curiosity

Openness Acceptance

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Catch AP-ASAP

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Character Strengths

What is VIA? Pathways to PERMA Signature strengths studies Strengths-spotting

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Depth

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Curiosity Self-Regulation Perspective

Character Strengths Breathing Space

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“We can’t understand what is happening to ‘something’ if we aren’t looking. But nothing is going to happen to that ‘something’ if we don’t look deeply. That’s why so many things with incredible potential go unnoticed because nobody bothers to look.”

Integration

•Filmmaker, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

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Ways to Integrate

1.) Strong Mindfulness

CS M

2.) Mindful Strengths Use

M CS

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Strong Mindfulness

1. Manage meditation obstacles 2. Supercharge your practice 3. Enhance mindful living

Bringing more of YOU

into the mindfulness experience

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Strong Mindfulness: Obstacle Management

Choose 1 meditation obstacle. Explore how each of your top 5-7

strengths can help you manage the obstacle.

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Practice Example

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Mindful Strengths Use

Combats strength blindness Addresses context and balance Builds a virtuous circle Manages overuse Manages underuse Assists with positive

reappraisal

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Mindful Strengths Use: Sample Practices

Target specific character strengths From mindless to mindful

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Practice Examples

Mindfulness-Based Programs

MBSR MBCT DBT ACT

MBSP

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Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP)

1. Mindfulness & Autopilot 2. Signature Strengths 3. Obstacles are Opportunities 4. Mindfulness in Everyday Life 5. Valuing Your Relationships 6. The Golden Mean 7. Authenticity & Goodness 8. Your Engagement with Life

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Moving Forward – Here & Now

Beginner or expert? Practice Priming “Something with M, something with CS”

(MBSP approach)

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MBSP www.viacharacter.org/mindfulness

MBSP research or MBSP practice Training in MBSP?

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One Survey – Three Reports VIA Survey

(www.viame.org)

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Thank You! Ryan Niemiec ryan@viacharacter.org www.ryanniemiec.com

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VIA Institute www.viacharacter.org www.viapros.org