I recently participated in a Sunday-through-Sunday professional training program directed by Drs Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli. Counting the two leaders, one hundred fifty-two people investigated insight meditation together from six in the morning until about nine-thirty each evening. We were a highly diverse gathering of people from many countries, professions and age groups.
Kabat-Zinn and Santorelli guided us through the theory and practice of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. We “mindfully” sat, walked, ate, stood, laid on mats and conversed. During the plenary sessions, I was amazed at the group’s focus. Everyone listened to the speakers with singularly undivided attention. Only once during the eight-day retreat did I hear a “side conversation.” It was so out of character for the week that many of us turned and stared at the two individuals involved. I suddenly realized how disconcerting private conversations are to group dynamics.
The experience has influenced my behavior in every meeting I attend. Now, I am “mindful” of how I listen to each person who speaks. I determine each moment to keep my focus on the meeting’s agenda rather than my own. Of course, there may be times when a side conversation is imperative, but those occasions are few in number. My goal is to foster the group’s success with my silence and attention in meetings.
CHUMPS cause chaos. CHAMPS create order.
