This week, "Art and Soul" is about the art of well being. Lisa Barry talks with Dr. Frank Anderson, a Michigan Medicine physician and professor bringing mindfulness techniques to the Ann Arbor area and medical community.
There are so many things that happen out in the world that may not make sense to people. Mindfulness and meditation provides another way to make sense of many of the things going on.
Dr. Anderson is an OBGYN physician and also teaches at the U-M Medical School and School of Public Health. He is one of the founders of "Open Mindfulness Meditation" that provides weekly (online right now due to the pandemic) group meditations.
He offers suggestions for using mindfulness techniques as a way to deal with all the chaos and confusion in the world, including the current pandemic. He says mindfulness techniques allow us to find a place of peace and joy within ourselves. He suggests just becoming aware of your breath--mindfulness of the breath that can help settle and soothe you, and that is your ability to be mindful and can bring relief from what might currently be happening.
Dr. Anderson has been part of "Mindfulness Mondays" at the faculty development center at the University of Michigan Medical School, teaching mindfulness techniques and leading meditations for fellow faculty members. He also was part of a one-day seminar called "Becoming a Mindful Provider/Physician"to equip physicians with more tools to stay centered and emotionally balanced.
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— Lisa Barry is the host of All Things Considered on WEMU. You can contact Lisa at 734.487.3363, on Twitter @LisaWEMU, or email her at lbarryma@emich.edu
