The Perfect Pairing: Mindfulness and Critical Thinking

Marc Pavillion

Critical thinking is the process of thinking about our thinking in a systematic and logical way with intent to improve it. But how do we become critically aware of our thinking, and how do we teach our students/staff to get into that space? We would like to take participants in the thinknovator though simple exercises for mindfulness - the nonjudgmental observation of our thinking. We will practice two meditation techniques: open-monitoring and focused-attention. Additionally, we will introduce the Paul-Elder Critical Thinking Model and practice its application. Neuroscientific studies will be examined to further address the impact of mindfulness practices on the brain. Through our discussions and activities, participants will discover how pairing critical thinking and mindfulness practices creates a synergy for critical, creative, and fair-minded thinking. Please see the comments section for the question set for the Thinknovator session.