SEARCH INSIDE YOURSELF THE UNEXPECTED PATH TO ACHIEVING

SUCCESS, HAPPINESS (AND WORLD PEACE)Presented by Maria Ayzza Barcarse

All about “Meng,” the author

Chade-Meng Tan Semi-retired Software Engineer

at Google Inc. “Jolly Good Fellow” (official title)

Current job description: “Enlighten minds, open hearts, create world peace.”

Teaches people on how to develop a greater sense of mindfulness & apply it to their everyday lives.

Personal website:http://chademeng.com/

HAPPINESS “A deep sense of flourishing that arises from an exceptionally

healthy mind…not a mere pleasurable feeling, a fleeting emotion, or a mood, but an optimal state of being.”—Matthieu Ricard

The optimal state of being is “a profound emotional balance struck by a subtle understanding of how the mind functions.”

“Happiness is not something you pursue; it is something you allow.” A skill that is easily acquired through practice. Requires a deep insight into the mind, emotion & our experience of

phenomena. Everyone has a set point of happiness in which we return to—our

“happy place.”

HOW TO ACHIEVE HAPPINESS 1) Attention training

Creating a quality of the mind that is both clear & calm at the same time. Response flexibility: a stable & clear, unwavering, non-judging attention

that allows you to pause before you act. Rather than acting impulsively, you pause for a split second, creating time for you to

choose how you want to react. Our growth & happiness lies in our response.

2) Self-Knowledge & Self-Mastery Ability to observe your thought stream & emotions with clarity & with a third

person perspective, thereby creating a high-resolution perception into your own cognitive & emotive processes.

Once achieved, the creation of a deep self-knowledge leads to self-mastery.

3) Creating useful mental habits Idea that habitual, instinctive first thoughts of people changes one’s social

dynamic as this sincere good is unconsciously picked up by others & creates highly productive partnerships centered around trust.

A decision/choice made possible by will.

DEVELOPING & OPTIMIZING THE SELF

Emotional Intelligence (EI) Ability to monitor one’s own & others’ feelings &

emotions, to discriminate among them & to use this information to guide one’s thinking & actions.

Attention training is its very foundation.

Daniel Goldman’s 5 domains Self-awareness Self-regulation Motivation Empathy Social skills

MINDFULNESS Paying attention in a particular way;

on purpose, in the present moment, & in a non-judgmental fashion.

Mindfulness in 2 minutes The Easy Way—Bring gentle &

consistent attention to your breathing for 2 min.

The Easier Way—Sit without agenda for 2 min. The idea is to shift from “doing” to “being”

Just “let it go” & “let it be” The hard part is deepening,

strengthening, & sustaining it even in times of strife.

MINDFULNESS (cont’d…) Trains 2 important faculties:

Attention: involves “taking possession by the mind, in clear & vivid form”—William James

Meta-attention: the ability to know that your mind has wandered away.

These are the secrets to concentration Strengthen the two & your mind becomes

increasingly focused & stable in a relaxing way, allowing happiness (& natural joy) to spontaneously arise.

“Happiness is the default state of mind.” “Happiness is just being.”

MEDITATION A family of mental training

practices that are designed to familiarize the practitioner with specific types of mental processes.

When choosing a meditation posture for yourself, the best is one that helps you remain alert & aware at the same time for a long period of time. Sit, stand, walk, lay down Eyes opened/closed

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION Create an intention Relax & loosen up Take a deep breath Let your mind go & focus on your breathing

If you become distracted, simply regain control Be aware of your attitude towards yourself

Rid your mind of negativity Be kind to yourself. Love yourself.

Project this positivity onto others

REWARDS & BENEFITS OF MINDFULNESS PRACTICE

Greater level of self-awareness Boost in self-esteem & self-confidence Enhanced problem solving skills Stellar work performance Outstanding leadership Deep, meaningful relationships SUCCESS HAPPINESS

"Th-th-th-that's all folks!”

Recorded mindfulness class video: http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8fcqrNO7so