Ralph Heinkel - The value of mindfulness and how it has arrived at Google
Channel: EuroPython Conference
Date: 2016-08-06

Ralph Heinkel - The value of mindfulness and how it has arrived at Google
[EuroPython 2016]
[22 July 2016]
[Bilbao, Euskadi, Spain]
(https://ep2016.europython.eu//conference/talks/the-value-of-mindfulness-and-how-it-has-arrived-at-google)

Mindfulness has proven to be a foundational skill that started as a
pure buddhist practice. Nowadays mindfulness serves as the core
technique of several western programs ranging from  curing stress-
induced medical problems to curricula for teaching successful business
leadership, such as the Search Inside Yourself program developed at
Google.

The aim of this seminar is to provide a practical experience of
mindfulness with a short introduction to how it can be applied by
digital workers.

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Mindfulness has proven to be a foundational skill that started as a
pure buddhist practice. Nowadays mindfulness serves as the core
technique of several western programs ranging from  curing stress-
induced medical problems to curricula for teaching successful business
leadership, such as the Search Inside Yourself  (SIY) program
developed at Google in 2002.

Mind is the root of all things. Neuroscience shows that attention is a
fundamental function of the mind. Being able to direct attention to
the present moment - and keep it there while performing daily tasks -
is a great tool to navigate through life and its  challenges with more
engagement, more happiness, and more resilience. Focusing attention in
a relaxed way enables us to disconnect from the overall noise found in
a high-speed environment and get things done without feeling too
overwhelmed by them. But being effective is not only about checking
off more tasks - it is about how we are in resonance with our
environment, how we interact with others, and how we face the
increasing complexity in our professional life.

The aim of this seminar is to provide a practical experience of
mindfulness with a short introduction to how it can be applied in a
technology driven world as experience by digital workers.