Ryan Niemiec presented on integrating mindfulness and character strengths practices. He defined mindfulness as self-regulation, curiosity, openness and acceptance. Niemiec discussed two ways to integrate mindfulness and strengths: strong mindfulness, using strengths to manage mindfulness obstacles; and mindful strengths use, applying mindfulness to strengths. He proposed a Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice program to cultivate both. Niemiec concluded by encouraging participants to begin an exercise combining mindfulness and strengths.

1. Flourishing with Mindfulness &
Character Strengths Practices
Ryan M. Niemiec, PsyD
Education Director and Psychologist
VIA Institute on Character
ryan@viacharacter.org
www.ryanniemiec.com
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
HP Live
July 19, 2013

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3. Mindfulness: A Scientific Definition
+
Self-Regulation Curiosity
Openness
Acceptance
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5. Catch AP-ASAP
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6. Character Strengths
 What is VIA?
 Pathways to PERMA
 Signature strengths studies
 Strengths-spotting
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7. Depth
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8.  Curiosity
 Self-Regulation
 Perspective
Character Strengths Breathing Space
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9. “We can’t understand what is
happening to ‘something’ if we
aren’t looking. But nothing is going
to happen to that ‘something’ if we
don’t look deeply. That’s why so
many things with incredible
potential go unnoticed because
nobody bothers to look.”
Integration
•Filmmaker, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
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10. Ways to Integrate
1.) Strong Mindfulness
CS M
2.) Mindful Strengths Use
M CS
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11. Strong Mindfulness
1. Manage meditation obstacles
2. Supercharge your practice
3. Enhance mindful living
Bringing more of
YOU
into the mindfulness
experience
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12. Strong Mindfulness:
Obstacle Management
 Choose 1 meditation obstacle.
 Explore how each of your top 5-7
strengths can help you manage the
obstacle.
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Practice
Example

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14. Mindful Strengths Use
 Combats strength blindness
 Addresses context and balance
 Builds a virtuous circle
 Manages overuse
 Manages underuse
 Assists with positive
reappraisal
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15. Mindful Strengths Use:
Sample Practices
 Target specific character strengths
 From mindless to mindful
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Practice
Examples

16. Mindfulness-Based Programs
MBSR MBCT DBT ACT
MBSP
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17. Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice
(MBSP)
1. Mindfulness & Autopilot
2. Signature Strengths
3. Obstacles are Opportunities
4. Mindfulness in Everyday Life
5. Valuing Your Relationships
6. The Golden Mean
7. Authenticity & Goodness
8. Your Engagement with Life
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18. Moving Forward – Here & Now
 Beginner or expert?
 Practice
 Priming
 “Something with M, something with CS”
(MBSP approach)
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19. MBSP
www.viacharacter.org/mindfulness
 MBSP research or MBSP practice
 Training in MBSP?
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20. One Survey – Three Reports
VIA Survey
(www.viame.org)
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21. Thank You!
Ryan Niemiec
ryan@viacharacter.org
www.ryanniemiec.com
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VIA Institute
www.viacharacter.org
www.viapros.org