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Learner Reviews & Feedback for De-Mystifying Mindfulness by Universiteit Leiden

4.8
stars
1,577 ratings

About the Course

Interest in meditation, mindfulness, and contemplation has grown exponentially in recent years. Rather than being seen as mystical practices from ancient Buddhism or esoteric philosophy, they are increasingly seen as technologies rooted in evidence from psychology and neuroscience. Mindfulness has become the basis for numerous therapeutic interventions, both as a treatment in healthcare and as a means of enhancing well-being and happiness. For millions around the world, mindfulness has become a life-style choice, enhancing and enriching everyday experience. Mindfulness is big business. But, what actually is mindfulness? Is it really good for you? Can anyone learn it? How can you recognize charlatans? Would you want to live in a mindful society, and would it smell like sandalwood? What does it feel like to be mindful? Are you mindful already, and how would you know? Evolving from the popular Honours Academy course at Leiden University, this innovative course combines conventional scholarly inquiry from multiple disciplines (ranging from psychology, through philosophy, to politics) with experiential learning (including specially designed ‘meditation labs,’ in which you’ll get chance to practice and analyze mindfulness on yourself). In the end, the course aims to provide a responsible, comprehensive, and inclusive education about (and in) mindfulness as a contemporary phenomenon. During the production of this course, we have been supported by Willem Kuyken, Director of the University of Oxford Mindfulness Centre, and Stephen Batchelor, co-founder of Bodhi College. And we gratefully acknowledge the contributions made by Mark Williams, co-developer of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Rebecca Crane, Director of the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice at the University of Bangor. We have recently added expert advice from Dawn Scott (Spirit Rock & Barre Centre for Buddhist Studies), Sydney Spears (University of Kansa), Elisabeth Stanley (Georgetown University), Susan Woods (Centre for Mindfulness Studies), Patricia Rockman (University of Toronto) and Jeff Corntassel (University of Victoria). "A deep and profound dive into the ethical, social, psychological, and philosophical implications of modern-day mindfulness practice. The course is not for the faint of heart, perhaps, but it is also full of practical, guided exercises for the uninitiated! Thank you for redefining my relationship to Mindfulness in a completely new and thought-provoking way" 28 april 2021 "The course enabled me to explore the mindfulness construct at its deeper lever from philosophical, psychological and political lenses. The mindfulness labs were very useful in practicing the skills of being mindful." 23 nov 2018 "i took this course after a period of time when I was trying to practice mindfulness and meditation, but with doubtful success. The course answered many questions to me, and I needed that to keep me motivated. It really helped me understand the origins and, more importantly, benefits of mindfulness practice and made me persist in my attempts. I'm really glad I took the course, I find it interesting, well taught and very useful for all those seeking deeper explanation in why trying mindfulness." 9 Oct 2018 "I have taken other courses in other online platforms. However, this has been one of the best courses I have found online." 3 Oct 2018 "I really like the invitation to us, the learners, to rethink our preconceptions and beliefs, and then make our own judgement about mindfulness. The overall tone was very friendly and open, resources very useful." 12 Dec 2017...

Top reviews

SM

Jul 21, 2020

A course that will open your mind and heart. I thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt so much about Mindfulness and how I want to incorporate it into my daily life, relationships and personality. Thank you!

VS

Feb 3, 2020

It is such a useful and practical course. The contents, discussions, assignments and quizzes are extremely insightful. I truly enjoyed the course and awaiting a second phase of the course in future.

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551 - 575 of 603 Reviews for De-Mystifying Mindfulness

By Wrik S

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Jan 22, 2018

Great content. However, the 3rd and 4th module, especially the 3rd, needs to be lightened up, and less elaborate. After a while, too much of knowledge can end up having a reverse effect on the experience.

By Patricia

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Jun 23, 2017

Excellent course to get deeper into both practical and theoretical knowledge about mindfulness. I would not recommend this course though to people with a lot of knowledge already about mindfulness.

By Fred I

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Jan 19, 2021

I had a problem with some videos because they seemed clinical in nature. Lectures were professional.

I would prefer to read the module summary then have the videos on the most important issues.

By James T

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May 2, 2021

I suggest an easy download for the whole course, because not everybody has an internet connection or it may be very lame. A downloaded course can be used everywhere.

By Ricardo W

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Jul 6, 2017

This is a course with great potential. It just needs a proper teaching manual to make it interesting. I'll recommend "Unchained Mind" by Ricardo Williams

By Angel S

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Feb 25, 2021

Great course - I focused on the learning and a little less on the techniques. In hindsight, I wish I had more time for the practice of mindfulness.

By Tessa

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Jun 4, 2020

course itself great! amazing. i started in 2018, peer engagement was amazing. i finished the last bits just today. peer reviews very poor

By yogita J

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Apr 17, 2020

The course gave a totally different perception about Mindfulness. I am glad i took up the course and completed it successfully.

By Molly M

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Apr 18, 2017

Thank you for this great introductory to Mindfulness and Meditation! Time to take it off the cushion and into the world!

By Begoña G

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Oct 13, 2020

I loved the course, I found it was too short, I would like to learn more about, I recommend this course

By Mick H

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Nov 28, 2016

A great MOOC. A good blend of academic material - very well presented - and useful meditation praises.

By Roseanne B

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Jul 24, 2020

I would've given 5 stars but think the allocated time to read and absorb material was far too short.

By ANA C M C

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Nov 8, 2020

Very good course. A little bit structured for me but I found it very helpful. Congratulations.

By smriti k

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Jun 29, 2017

This is a good course to start your mindful practice. I loved all the meditations.

By Martin S

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Apr 29, 2018

A thorough course on a timely topic with a lot of practical meditation exercises.

By Nicole T

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Aug 4, 2020

I liked the meditation labs a lot, but the course itself was very technical

By Nicole M

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Feb 24, 2020

reflective and quirky - supported a more in depth training I had prior

By Louis A K H T

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May 3, 2019

This course has really taught me a lot about what is Mindfulness.

By Phillip A C

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Sep 19, 2017

with no way to contact a mentor I struggled in a few of the labs.

By Cheryl S

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Jul 27, 2022

A good start to learning about mindfulness and how to practice.

By Plamen P

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Mar 9, 2017

A practical introduction to mindfulness.

By Vivian G C

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Jun 21, 2021

very interesting and challenging !

By Kristina R D

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Jul 2, 2017

I would have liked more quizzes.

By Anupama

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May 27, 2021

Excellent Course

By David A S M

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Jan 20, 2021

Maravilloso.