In this project you’ll conduct a 3-week mindfulness practice using the practices

In this project you’ll conduct a 3-week mindfulness practice using the practices and assignments we cover in class. Keep daily logs for your practices and write down your observations before you begin your practice, as you do it, how you feel afterwards, and what you learned. Logs are posted in weekly assignments and on Canvas.
For all of your practices, notice how you feel afterwards, and be alert if you notice any shifts of perspective for you, or changes in your awareness, attention, social connectedness, sense of well-being, etc. You may want to keep a daily journal and write down your reflections on how your practices are affecting you, as this will be a part of your paper. Making observations as you go, and reflections as you go, will make writing your paper much easier.
There are two parts to the paper.
In the first part (9 points) describe your practices with as much detail as possible, using COAL (being curious, open, attentive, loving, kind) as your guidelines for including your thoughts, feelings, body sensations, behaviors, etc. Your practices will include practices in the weekly assignments such as breathing practices, body scan, breath and body, breath and movement, mindful eating, 3-minute breathing space / mindfulness, self-compassion, loving kindness. Be mindful to avoid Brach’s “insincere positivity” which is discussed in lecture. *You may also choose to use Brach’s RAIN meditation (check with the instructor if you have questions about other practices).
In the second part (5 points) you’ll tie in your observations of your practices with the ideas, concepts and research discussed in the readings and in lectures and videos. This part of the paper is reflective and integrative. You’re moving from a detailed view of your practices to evaluating what you learned over time. You could discuss changes or shifts in perspective that you observed, what you learned from the practices, how you evaluate the claims of practitioners and research weighed against your own experiences; the meaning you find in this area of psychology. Be thoughtful and give time to this part of the paper. It’s often good to write the first part first, then give some time to mull over your learning and reflections; and time to re-read or re-view readings and lectures to decide what to include in this section.
In writing your paper, you won’t be able to write about everything you did in the 3 weeks, so choose your most significant practices to discuss, and explain why you’ve chosen these to discuss. Study the rubric (page 2 of the project guidelines) as you write your paper so you can see how it will be evaluated, and include the sections or details that are needed. Organization (3 points), written expression (2 point), and use of APA style (1 point) are evaluated.
The paper’s length is 4-5 pages, due April 2, midnight (1159pm) on Canvas.
Format paper in APA style. Double spaced, 1inch margins, 12 pt font. Include a coversheet with your name, class name, class time, assignment, and date. NO running head in the text of the paper, NO name in running head or in text of paper—insert your name only on the cover sheet. (I read the papers blind and will not look at who wrote them when I read them.) Include page numbers. Include citations and a References page.