Mindfulness

Here's an interesting article that I discovered while browsing on Facebook (of whcih I confess to being a bit of an addict:

How Mindfulness can Make for Better Doctors (New York Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/15/health/15chen.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

The article focusses on a change of mental attitude - the intent to practise mindfulness - being fully present to and aware of (or even immersed in) what you are doing. In this state, things become almost effortless, helping to prevent burnout.

However, this end result can also be an outcome of regular bodwork - either hands on bodywork which brings you into your body (like my biodynamic massage therapy) or some form of exercise in which you are encouraged to really feel your body (like my Dragon and Tiger Chi Kung), whcih is not so much the case with many Western forms of exercise (running, football, tennis, cycling etc.). Achieving this kind of mindfulness is effortless - it just happens - life flows.

Anyone interested in a radical discussion of mindfulness might look at Zen Buddhist Brad Warner's musings on the topic. Be warned that he doesn't spare readers from strong language, however!