Describe the experience of using the observing self during mindfulness practice
What will be an ideal response?
Mindfulness practice encourages us to use the observing self (the observing self notices the thought) to notice the present moment's mental events. In doing so, we do not fuse (i.e., become one) with the disturbing or stressful thoughts. Instead we defuse them so that our awareness of them has a lessened emotional impact on us. This decentering process results in us being less reactive to our inner experiences. In addition, rather than trying to suppress unwanted thoughts or emotions, we accept them as being part of an active mind. We can thank our mind for its thought in a non-sarcastic accepting way and then continue the observation process without latching onto the thought or acting on it.
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May believed that Freud's concept of determinism is useful in discussing
a) inanimate objects. b) neurotics. c) only male patients. d) any human being.
As compared to the suicide rate among young adults with depression, the suicide rate among depressed older adults:
A) lower. B) about the same. C) slightly higher. D) executive much higher.