Mindfulness Meditation at CAPS 

Counseling and Psychological Services understands the value of living and working in a caring and mindful community and is dedicated to enhancing MINDFUL AWARENESS on the Stony Brook campus. In order to do this, we offer a number of different programs to teach and develop mindfulness to students, staff and faculty.

Our website hopes to answer initial questions about mindfulness and mindfulness meditation, highlight the various mindfulness meditation trainings, and provide resources for you to further your inquiry into what mindfulness meditation has to offer.

Learn more about the Mindfulness Meditation program at CAPS:

CURRENT OFFERINGS

MINDFULNESS resources

Frequently Asked Questions 

• What Is Mindfulness?

  Mindfulness Meditation (MM) is a step-by-step practice that can decrease stress, anxiety, and depression through the cultivation of present-moment clarity, awareness, and acceptance. It has to do with paying attention  on purpose and allowing an experience to be, as it is, without evaluating if it is good or bad or wishing it could be different. Through practice, MM can help us to gradually develop the ability to observe, acknowledge, and accept ourselves as we are.  The experience of self and others becomes more clear and genuine. We can learn to be courageously open with whatever is occurring right now, without engaging our tendency to automatically judge, react, or avoid. 

• How do I learn about mindfulness?

  There are many opportunities to practice mindfulness! Check out our mindfulness groups at CAPS, try these  sitting practice instructions, or look into these resources!

• What are the benefits of mindfulness meditation?

  Many positive physical, psychological, emotional, and cognitive benefits of Mindfulness Meditation have been researched and empirically validated. These include:
  

  • Stress Reduction
  • Decreased anxiety
  • Reduction in frequency and intensity of low mood
  • Improved self-esteem
  • Increased insight and self-awareness
  • Improved quality of relationships
  • Increased attention and concentration
  • Decreased chronic pain
  • Plus many more...

  Many of the skills listed are vitally important to success at college and/or work. These benefits, and more, can contribute to your academic and personal success at Stony Brook and beyond.

  Learn more about the empirical foundations of mindfulness.

• Can anyone become more mindful?

  YES!  Mindfulness is an innate quality that can be cultivated by anyone with the intention to do so. Mindfulness is not the same as intelligence, although it certainly is intelligent to be mindful! While the concept of mindfulness is simple, its development requires intention and practice. Please contact us at (631) 632-6720 to learn more about ways to develop greater mindfulness.