Mindfulness and Character Strengths: A Practical Guide to Flourishing

by Ryan M. Niemiec

Looking for the latest research and practices on character strengths and mindfulness?Curious about how character strengths can supercharge your mindfulness practice? Or how mindfulness can help you deploy your best qualities? Look no further – the answers are in this book!At the core of this hands-on resource for psychologists and other practitioners, including educators, coaches, and consultants, is Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP), the first structured program to combine mindfulness with the character strengths laid out in the VIA Institute's classification developed by Drs. Martin E. P. Seligman and Christopher Peterson. This 8-session program systematically boosts awareness and applicationof character strengths, helping people flourish and lead more fulfilling lives.The author's vast experience working with both mindfulness and character strengths is revealed in his sensitive and clear presentation of the conceptual, practical, andscientific elements of this unique combined approach. It is not only those who are new to mindfulness or to character strengths who will appreciate the detailed primers on these topics in the first section of the book. And the deep discussions about the integration of mindfulness and character strengths in the second section will benefit not just intermediate and advanced practitioners. The third section then leads readers step-by-step through each of the 8 MBSP sessions, including details of session structureand content, suggested homework, 30 practical handouts, as well as inspiring quotes and stories and useful practitioner tips. An additional chapter discusses the adaptionof MBSP to different settings and populations (e.g., business, education, individuals, couples). The mindfulness and character strengths meditations on the accompanying CD support growth and development. This highly accessible book, while primarily conceived for psychologists, educators, coaches, and consultants, is suitable for anyone who is interested in living a flourishing life.

Genres: Psychology, Self Help, Nonfiction

562 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Ryan M. Niemiec, Psy.D. is a leading figure in the education, research, and practice of positive psychology. He’s education director of the VIA Institute on Character, a global, non-profit organization in Cincinnati that leads the advancement of the science of character strengths. Ryan is author of 9 books including the brand new consumer-oriented books The Power of Character Strengths (a #1 Amazon bestseller) and The Strengths-Based Workbook for Stress Relief, as well as practitioner-focused books that are leaders in their respective fields including, Character Strengths Interventions, Mindfulness and Character Strengths, and Positive Psychology at the Movies.

Ryan is creator of the evidenced-based, 8-week program, Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice, used across the globe by practitioners; MBSP was the first positive-oriented mindfulness program, the only mindfulness program to target what’s best in us (our character strengths), and the only one to use positive qualities (our character strengths) to improve meditation and mindful living.

Ryan has penned over 80 scholarly/peer-reviewed articles and given more than 700 workshops, keynotes, and webinars on positive psychology topics across the globe. He’s a columnist for Live Happy Magazine and for Psychology Today, the latter which his column has 1-2 million reads. He’s an award-winning psychologist, certified coach, annual instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, and adjunct professor at Xavier University. Ryan received a “distinguished early career award” from the American Psychological Association in 2011, and was granted Fellow status of the International Positive Psychology Association in 2017.

On a personal note, Ryan lives in Cincinnati with his wife and three young, zestful children who travel the globe together. Ryan is an avid collector of vintage Pez dispensers, a passionate fan of The Walking Dead, only listens to 1990s alternative rock music, and is a zealot for his alma mater, Michigan State University. His highest strengths are hope, love, curiosity, honesty, fairness, and appreciation of beauty.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books on the scientific aspects of mindfulness! He states his own finding and so much research done by others. If you want to know about the science of mindfulness this is a great place to start. Couple that with your character strengths and you have a recipe for truly seeing yourself as you are, and a tangible way to to work on your weaknesses. There is also a great guide for exercises and leading a group as well. Not an "easy" read - it's a lot to take in and absorb. It's an excellent resource!

[Wouter Zwemmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Topboek. Een must-read voor iedereen die geïnteresseerd is in mindfulness, positieve psychologie en solutions based coaching. Of voor jezelf als je goed functioneert en je geïnteresseerd bent om je echt te verdiepen in je eigen leven, aandachtigheid en in het mobiliseren van je innerlijke resources om te floreren. Als je er aan toe bent om te stoppen met het je als een varkentje rondjes te draaien in de modder van je verleden en je te richten op hier, nu, straks en op het mooie, het goede en het waarachtige in het leven. Geen eenvoudig boek voor als je het als zelfhulp wilt gebruiken, geen quick fixes, wel uitgebreid, fundamenteel en evidence based. Waarbij alles er is en mag zijn. Leren om aandachtig te leven is leren leven met aandacht voor het fijne maar ook voor het lastige, voor alles wat er in het moment is. Kortom: om zo volledig mogelijk aanwezig te zijn in plaats van telkens rennend en hijgend onderweg te zijn naar een toekomst die er niet is (en misschien ook niet zal zijn) of weg te rennen voor een verleden dat niet meer is. Het is goed om ons af en toe even te realiseren dat we human beings zijn, geen human doings.

“Mindfulness Based Strength Practice (MBSP) brings the focus to that which is best in individuals - that which individuals are often mindless to - their character strengths. Kabat-Zinn (1990) has explained that the purpose of mindfulness is not to point out what is wrong, but to help people find what is right. MBSP opens the door to a language for people to re-discover and uncover what is right within them.” Het mooie van dit gedachtegoed is, net als spirituele tantratradities (de non-dualistic tradities), dat alles er al is: we hoeven als mens niets te verdienen of te bereiken, we zijn er al en we zijn al goed genoeg. De uitdaging ligt in het onderkennen daarvan, onszelf diep te leren kennen en alle sluiers tussen ons en onszelf, anderen en de natuur te vinden en opzij te schuiven, en ons bewust te worden van onze ‘monkey mind’ en ‘autopilot’. Vandaar dat het maar om blijven ploegen van de pijnlijkheden uit onze verledens vaak niet helpt, want dat trekt ons juist het probleem in, achter de sluiers van jeugd, opvoeding, opleiding, culturele- en mammie- en pappie-issues. Dat dus.

[Susan]

Well laid out guide to developing a Mindful Strengths program. Recommended for practitioners.

[Jacqueline Chinas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Its just quote and quote of other authors, not explaining clearly his insights.