Mindfulness and Behavioural Change ~ Shinzen Young

Shinzen shares that "it is extremely important that objective behavior change be included in the stated goals of the meditative path." He then shares how behaviors are controlled by the "carrot and the stick" sensory events. and gives examples of how we can work with this, including using an "external accountability structure" when necessary. Shinzen shares a couple examples from his own life.

00:00 - The importance of including objective behavior change as a part of the meditative path.
00:48 - Examples of objective behavior goals.
01:23 - Shinzen's tendency to procrastinate and avoid responsibility.
01:37 - The basic principle is that external behaviors are controlled by sensory events.
01:56 - Deciding to stop smoking by tracking the urge to smoke, comprised of touch (physical body sensation), feel (emotional body sensation), image (mental images), and talk (mental talk).
03:20 - Benefits of detecting and tracking the carrot and stick.
04:09 - 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 versus 10 x 10 x 10 x 10.
04:48 - Reducing the power of the urge through tracking (sensory clarity) and reducing grasping (equanimity), and staying with the urge until it passes.
05:44 - This first basic principle of deconstructing the urge can be applied to any behavior change.
06:20 - If the first principle isn't enough, add the second principle of an external accountability structure, such as a therapist, 12-Step Program, etc., that gives you support and "manageable assignments in changing your behavior."
08:14 - Shinzen's ten-year marijuana habit disappeared through applying a mindfulness technique.
08:38 - Shinzen's procrastination and avoiding responsibility needed the addition of 18 months of psychotherapy with a psychiatrist who provided an accountability structure because the mindful awareness alone wasn't sufficient.

Filmed in Nov. 2009 at Mt. Carmel Spiritual Centre in Niagara Falls.

See also the expandcontract Mindfulness, Psychotherapy, and Transformation playlist.