Susan Smalley on becoming mindful in midlife

Recently Dr. Susan Smalley, professor of psychiatry and founding director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA, shared her personal story about how, at age 47, an experience with melanoma caused "a massive reorganization of [her] world view." 

From the article:

Smalley decided to take a six-month leave from work and do everything in her power to heal herself. She went to a dermatologist and had the melanoma removed. She also turned to holistic healing—herbs, vitamins, acupuncture, lymphatic massage. She became a vegetarian, stopped wearing a watch, and began to practice yoga and meditate for one to two hours each day. Her doctor declared her cancer-free.

To read A Scientist's Journey: Becoming Mindful in Midlife by Aimee Liu on SecondAct, click here

For more, read Suffering is Optional on Mindful.org, by Susan Smalley herself, with Diana Winston, about how meditation practice can ease the mental suffering that often comes with physical pain. 

10/18/11