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From the news post on the University of Montreal website: Adolescents living with cancer face not only the physical symptoms of their condition, but also the anxiety and uncertainty related to the progression of the disease, the anticipation of physical and emotional pain related to illness and treatment, the significant changes implied in living with cancer, as well as the fear of recurrence after remission. The study consisted of two groups of teenage cancer patients: an experimental group who took part in eight 90-minute mindfulness-based meditation sessions, and a control group who were placed on a waiting list....

A. A. Set a clear intention before you begin. An intention is like a compass: It directs your mind, keeping you motivated and focused. Here are a few examples of powerful intentions: I am going for a run to clear my head. During this yoga class I will be kind to myself. On my walk, I’ll let these prickly thoughts fly. I’m going swimming to increase my strength. I won’t judge myself during this weight training class....

But something weird began happening when I hit my late 40s that nearly broke my funny bone. As soon as I made with the witticisms, my face, neck, and chest would turn beet red. I’d perspire so intensely it was like I’d taken a shower. In public. Instead of laughs, now I was getting totally mortifying sympathy stares. I had no explanation for this super-uncomfortable phenomenon, but the dots quickly connected once I noticed other weird sensations....

To read more about the success of “HEP,” the control CIHM is using — and what it might mean to the study of mindfulness — click here.

Exercise: AWARE An effective way of working with self-stories is summed up in the acronym AWARE, which stands for allow, witness, acknowledge, release, and ease up. Allow all of your thoughts and feelings to come and go as they will. This will help you soften your reactions to whatever comes up for you in the space of mindful awareness. Allowing is a kind and curious attitude that enables you to look more deeply into your stories and learn from them rather than becoming entranced by them or trying to block them, both of which will just leave you more stuck....