Comments on: Move From Being a Mindless Lawyer To a Mindful Lawyer

By: twarnold

twarnold — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 05:04:06 +0000

Btw, Halpern’s new book “Making Waves and Riding the Currents” is a real pleasure to read.

For me, mindfulness is much more than a strategy — whether for stress reduction, harmonizing, or improving our practices (although it helps with all these) — it is a way of integrating our entire beings in terms of interior and exterior lives. This is really what Halpern is saying, and this is what all spiritual teachers are saying. The invitation here is way deeper than what seems evident: We are speaking to a core shift in values. On a daily basis in terms of our lawyerness, it is a realization that stands conventional legal paradigms (i.e., attack,defend, struggle, fight) on their ears.

It’s a call to awakening! And it’s much deeper than being a lawyer — but what a gift to being a lawyer it is!

By: Stephanie West Allen

Stephanie West Allen — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:30:26 +0000

I appreciate the Tweets of my article. Here's a follow-up on mindfulness in the law: http://westallen.typepad.com/idealawg/2009/05/interview-of-scott-rogers-mindfulness-in-the-law.html

By: stevemehta (Steve Mehta)

stevemehta (Steve Mehta) — Thu, 14 May 2009 09:12:16 +0000

RT @Mediate: Better lawyering through meditation. http://tinyurl.com/dcxvlb. I agree, see article on raisin & negot. http://tiny.cc/5OTt0

By: Mediate (Robert G. Schrader)

Mediate (Robert G. Schrader) — Wed, 13 May 2009 20:57:24 +0000

Better lawyering through meditation. http://tinyurl.com/dcxvlb That’s right, it says meditation NOT mediation. : ) It helps increase focus

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:13:55 +0000

I have been an active member of a Zen meditation group for almost four years. I sit daily, at least 15 minutes per day at minimum, usually much longer. Meditation has kept me from quitting law and/or jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge. Even for beginning meditators, it serves as a form of structured quiet time, but ultimately, it helps in coping with the daily stresses, hostile opponents, and overly demanding clients and courts. My reactions and actions are considered and not reflexive. Not that I’m perfect—I have a LONG way to go in acting impeccably every time. But sitting helps immeasurably.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:49:09 +0000

You are welcome. Thanks for the comment, Betsy. Looks as if we view meditation through a similar lens. I hope your CLE program next month goes well.

By: lawyercoach

lawyercoach — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:43:55 +0000

An important, topic — thanks, Stephanie! In my experience, meditation allows you to not only increase physical health and well being, it allows you hear your intuitive wisdom when faced with tough choices. We lawyers are so trained to lead with our intellects that we often overlook our right-brain resources! Regular meditation makes lawyers better creative problem solvers!

By: ” Four Statements to Happier " on Positive Psychology News Daily

” Four Statements to Happier " on Positive Psychology News Daily — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 18:40:13 +0000

[...] to report increased well-being and more commitment, energy, and engagement with their practices. Stephanie West Allen has a post on The Complete Lawyer about mindfulness for lawyers in which she notes that Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer meditates [...]

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:39:15 +0000

Good to hear. Have you noticed any differences? I am also curious to know if you know many other lawyers who are meditating? Thanks for your comment. I appreciate hearing from TCL readers.

By: atllawyer

atllawyer — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:32:58 +0000

I started practicing meditation earlier this year after watching series of shows on PBS about brain plasticity and how meditation can actually increase the size of your brain.