Paying attention.
I used to be a lot more relaxed.
I remember Jon Kabat-Zinn as a big influence.
Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D is the founder and director of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center and associate professor of medicine in the Division of Preventative and Behavioral Medicine. Perhaps no other person in America has done more to bring mindfulness meditation into the mainstream than Jon Kabat-Zinn. Through many research studies and his pioneering work at the University of Massachusetts where he is founder of its world renowned Stress Reduction Clinic, Kabat-Zinn has served as a recognized bridge between science and meditation.
He has been working for eons to help people deal with their stress — everything from people who live in inner city war zones to palliative care for the chronically ill and dying. He always struck me as a surprisingly sincere and decent person. And I have to admit that I find it endearing that every photograph I’ve seen of him, he’s squinting.
I found this video of him giving a talk — to the office monkeys at Google no less. Enjoy!