Mindfulness

Weekly mindfulness sessions at Saint Louis University School of Law are intended to help law students and law school staff and faculty develop ways of finding joy and maintaining balance in the midst of the “ups and downs” of life. The program consists of 30-minute weekly sessions hosted at noon.

The first five minutes is for settling in and centering; the next 15 minutes is a talk about an informal mindfulness topic such as “Dealing with Troublesome Emotions” or “Creating a Pause Between a Triggering Event and our Response to that Event.” The final 10 minutes is a mostly silent meditation. There is one session for law students on Wednesdays and another for staff and faculty on Tuesdays.

The SLU LAW Mindfulness Program is led by Professor of Practice David Lander. Professor Lander has been connected with the school for many years. He helped start the Legal Clinics program, taught full-time for two years and has served as an adjunct 20 times, teaching such courses as bankruptcy law, commercial law, consumer law and secured transactions. He has had a personal meditation practice for 15 years and has taken courses in mindfulness teaching from MindfulSchools.org. In July 2015, he retired from a successful business bankruptcy private practice of law.

For more information, contact Professor Lander at david.lander@slu.edu or 314-750-7773.

What is Mindfulness?

SLU LAW makes mindfulness available as a way of increasing well-being, balance and effectiveness.

Mindfulness can be defined as paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity and acceptance. Mindfulness in everyday experiences is best strengthened and supported by a regular meditation practice and by informal mindfulness throughout the day. This practice invites us to slow down, breathe and observe our inner experience.

While the benefits of meditation have been understood for centuries, recent studies in neuroscience and psychology suggest that regular practice increases the ability to concentrate, enhances perceptual acuity and resolution, and increases one’s ability to make empathic connections and be present with challenging situations. Meditation can also reduce stress, increase immune response and increase positive emotions.

Mindfulness sessions can be attended live at Scott Hall in Room 980 and on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 962 6979 8657  Password: Mindful!

Mindfulness Sessions: Previous Recordings