From personal to structural, racism may be understood as an endemic public health threat with crisis-level effects. Mindfulness practices, originating from numerous cultures and spiritual traditions, are an active area of scientific investigation for health and other benefits. Mindfulness is often studied for its internal effects in individuals. However, many important research questions remain underexplored. For example, how might mindfulness practices be applied to disrupt bias and minimize racism’s harms? How might the science of mindfulness be directed toward further exploring their external, interpersonal, and systemic effects?

Rhonda V. Magee, J.D., professor of law, long-time mindfulness teacher, scholar of contemplative education, and practitioner of mindfulness, will deliver the 2021 Stephen E. Straus Distinguished Lecture in the Science of Complementary Therapies. Professor Magee will describe some of the research on how mindfulness has been shown to help us, for example, increase our emotional resilience; address fears, anxieties, and other emotions; choose how we will respond to injustice; and change unhelpful habits. She will also discuss an exciting new area of study: focusing on external mindfulness and its effects as individuals interact with others, their environments, and the array of challenges facing us all.

This lecture is supported by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health with a generous gift from Bernard and Barbro Osher.

For more information go to https://www.nccih.nih.gov/news/events/distinguished-lecture-series/mindfulness-as-a-support-for-healing-conversations-and-actions-toward-social-justice-and-equity

About the Stephen E. Straus Distinguished Lecture in the Science of Complementary Therapies Series

The annual Stephen E. Straus Distinguished Lecture in the Science of Complementary Therapies was established to honor the founding director of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (renamed the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health in 2014). The Stephen E. Straus Distinguished Lecture, the premier lecture at our Center, features leading figures in science and medicine. Learn more about Dr. Straus: https://bit.ly/DrStephenEStraus