Discussions
Initiator: Ann Czajka Holm
Life Coach at Private Practice (Self-employed)
Mindfulness meditation. Is it a fad or something an MBTI practitioner can actually use?
http://www.annholm.net/2010/06/using-meditation-to-balance-perception-and-judgment/
Mystic Sudhir
Wellness Coach and Inspirational Speaker 
Hi Ann, congratulations on starting this discussion. How many of us are able to retain our natural, spontaneous self even for a short duration? Is it enough for us (Coaches) to show a .ppt slide and expect the participants to loosen up and relax? Those of us who have explored mindfulness meditation would know, that it takes us closer to who we are. Our consciousness is in a relaxed, alert, and aware state; and we are true to ourselves. For a MBTI instrument to be administered with success, the psyche of the participant has to be refreshed; and mindful meditation, if used rightly, can increase the accuracy of the instrument. Again this is my opinion and I have no research data to substantiate my views. I would welcome, if others in the group can provide some research facts to counter or corroborate the above views.
Ann Czajka Holm
Life Coach at Private Practice (Self-employed)
Yes it’s thought provoking to be sure. I have been aware of the role that the prefrontal cortex plays in self-monitoring and self-regulating behavior since my days of working with brain injured clients. I was very excited when I learned it was strengthened as a result of mindfulness practices including breath awareness exercises. Intuitively I suspect that it plays a role in being able to shift more readily among the 4 functions as increased mindfulness makes one less prone to be rigid (overly judging) or chaotic (overly perceiving. I agree that the accuracy of the instrument might be improved with an aware state of mind. I enjoy reading what others have to say about it.
Eleanor Sturdy
Education Management Consultant and Coach
Me too! I have been practising Buddhism for the last 12 years and believe this creates a similar self-awareness and self-regulation. Ann’s comment that this may support shifting among the four functions has switched on a light for me! I was worried that I was unclear about my preferences, but in fact I am clear about them while being able to see what happens with the other side of each pair. I cannot think of a single negative risk to people becoming more mindful. Even the time it takes is re-gained later as you experience greater clarity and have fewer conflicts in your life. The aspect of MBTI that appeals greatly to clients that I have worked with is the way that we learn behaviour which may be increasing our stress levels, and by returning to our preferred ways of operating, we may be released from some of this expectation. Being relaxed and aware enables this to happen, and allows people to celebrate their gifts, and their diversity within groups and teams.
Susan Bellingan Fourie (sfourie@ihsdubai.com)
Director International Accreditation at Innovative HR Solutions, Dubai
I think it is something we can all use, MBTI practitioner or not! Certainly as MBTI practitioners I feel that we gain wider perceptions by using meditation, breathing, or such related activities…
Yes, I was introduced to mindfulness in the 1990s as I developed a cardiopulmonary rehab program. This is my MBTI perspective. http://typeandlife.com/page/3/. I consider mindfulness as developing the mental function of Extroverted Sensing – being in the moment. Just being, observing, feeling the moment, the second, the peace in a moment. Suspension of judgment.