Class 7: Listening and a Taste of Mindfulness
February 27, 2026
Readings:
—Rogers, S., Chapter 11 (Listening), The Mindful Law Student (2022).
FieldGuide:
—Singer, M., "The Voice in Your Head," The Untethered Soul.
—Harris, D., "The Power of Negative Thinking" 10% Happier
—Posada, T., "How Mindfulness Changed My Life: A Student's Story"
Writing Assignment
1. After reading Dan Harris' chapter, write a 3-5 page paper chronicling your mindfulness journey thus far, much as Harris did. Be sure to include at least 1-2 paragraphs in which you offer your working understanding of mindfulness, informed by the various readings, including the law review articles in the Supplemental Handout. I will be providing you with feedback on this portion, as it will be an important part of your final paper.
2. In 1–2 pages, discuss (1) what Michael Singer shared that enriched your understanding of awareness, including anything that confused you or with which you disagree, and (2) what you learned in Chapter 11 that may benefit your communication with others.
Video:
None. But if you did not view Dan Harris' 13-minute Nightline segment last week, please do so before class.
Dan Harris, "The Long Journey to Becoming 10% Happier"
Mindfulness Practice
—Practice DNI (pp. 161-163, and as discussed in class). Try to practice it across the week. Set aside one day (good to decide now and place on your calendar) to practice it all day. In class we will discuss your experience. Recall that while DNI can be a technique, we are primarily approaching it as a mindfulness practice.
—Mindfulness Practices (Open Monitoring 2x+ and either Focused Attention or the Body Scan 1x+).
—One day this week go outside and sit before a tree, set your timer for 12 or more minutes, and using the entire time, draw the tree along with yourself. Bring to class.
—PMP+.
Continue to practice the PMP each day.
See if you can remember to take it outside and practice when you reach your PMP point, much as Yelena described.
Practice Journal
After recording your observations in your Practice Journal, reread what you wrote and ask yourself what you were likely experiencing that led you to describe it that way. For example, if you wrote, “I was very distracted” or “I felt relaxed,” reflect on the specific thoughts, sensations, or conditions that may have led to that conclusion. Then add those observations in parentheses after your original entry.
The discussion with Sara helped us zero in on this and we'll discuss and further clarify next week. (Note: the quote by Krishnamurti points to this)
Photo of Your Pet
If you would like to do so, text me a picture of your pet—past or present—dog, cat, fish, or horse, and their name.
Come to class prepared to draw the "Mindful Living Flow" diagram from memory, and to compare and contrast the three different mindfulness practices you have learned thus far.
—Rogers, S., Chapter 11 (Listening), The Mindful Law Student (2022).
FieldGuide:
—Singer, M., "The Voice in Your Head," The Untethered Soul.
—Harris, D., "The Power of Negative Thinking" 10% Happier
—Posada, T., "How Mindfulness Changed My Life: A Student's Story"
Writing Assignment
1. After reading Dan Harris' chapter, write a 3-5 page paper chronicling your mindfulness journey thus far, much as Harris did. Be sure to include at least 1-2 paragraphs in which you offer your working understanding of mindfulness, informed by the various readings, including the law review articles in the Supplemental Handout. I will be providing you with feedback on this portion, as it will be an important part of your final paper.
2. In 1–2 pages, discuss (1) what Michael Singer shared that enriched your understanding of awareness, including anything that confused you or with which you disagree, and (2) what you learned in Chapter 11 that may benefit your communication with others.
Video:
None. But if you did not view Dan Harris' 13-minute Nightline segment last week, please do so before class.
Dan Harris, "The Long Journey to Becoming 10% Happier"
Mindfulness Practice
—Practice DNI (pp. 161-163, and as discussed in class). Try to practice it across the week. Set aside one day (good to decide now and place on your calendar) to practice it all day. In class we will discuss your experience. Recall that while DNI can be a technique, we are primarily approaching it as a mindfulness practice.
—Mindfulness Practices (Open Monitoring 2x+ and either Focused Attention or the Body Scan 1x+).
—One day this week go outside and sit before a tree, set your timer for 12 or more minutes, and using the entire time, draw the tree along with yourself. Bring to class.
—PMP+.
Continue to practice the PMP each day.
See if you can remember to take it outside and practice when you reach your PMP point, much as Yelena described.
Practice Journal
After recording your observations in your Practice Journal, reread what you wrote and ask yourself what you were likely experiencing that led you to describe it that way. For example, if you wrote, “I was very distracted” or “I felt relaxed,” reflect on the specific thoughts, sensations, or conditions that may have led to that conclusion. Then add those observations in parentheses after your original entry.
The discussion with Sara helped us zero in on this and we'll discuss and further clarify next week. (Note: the quote by Krishnamurti points to this)
Photo of Your Pet
If you would like to do so, text me a picture of your pet—past or present—dog, cat, fish, or horse, and their name.
Come to class prepared to draw the "Mindful Living Flow" diagram from memory, and to compare and contrast the three different mindfulness practices you have learned thus far.