“Ellen Langer and the Power of Possibility” - Mindfulness for Health

Tenth Anniversary Lecture April 30:

“Ellen Langer and the Power of Possibility”

“Take a brilliant, creative social scientist, without any respect for conventional wisdom and you get Ellen Langer. She is a fantastic storyteller, and Counterclockwise is a fascinating story about the unexpected ways in which our minds and bodies are connected.” Dan Ariely, Ph.D.

Ellen’s groundbreaking studies, have led to a remarkable set of findings on the practical applications of mindfulness for health: When people are taught to be mindful in a fashion very different from meditation:

·         They become more creative, healthier, and happier

·         They show improvements in memory, attention, and productivity

·         A decrease in judgment of self and others

·         A decrease in burnout

·        

Most dramatically, the research has found an increase in longevity, an improvement in vision, and a decrease in weight, all as a result of people changing their minds.

As she writes in Counterclockwise, “Mindful health is not about how we should eat right, exercise, or follow medical recommendations, nor is it about abandoning these things. It is not about New Age medicine nor traditional understandings of illness. It is about the need to free ourselves from constricting mindsets and the limits they place on our health and well- being, and to appreciate the importance of becoming the guardians of our own health. Learning how to change requires understanding how we go astray.”

Dr. Ellen Langer is a professor in the Psychology Department at Harvard University. Her books written for general and academic readers include Mindfulness, The Power of Mindful Learning; On Becoming an Artist; and Counterclockwise: Mindful Health and the Power of Possibility.

Please join us as we welcome Dr. Langer on Saturday, April 30 at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester.

A private VIP reception with Dr. Langer will take place from 6- 7 :15 pm, followed by a general lecture and Q & A from 7:30-9 pm. Tickets for the reception with special lecture seating are $100 and tickets for the lecture only are $35. Call 978-456-3532 ext 1# to reserve space.   If you are a Healing Garden member make sure to ask for the member discount.

For more information about Dr. Langer’s work please go to www.ellenlanger.com