Well-Being and Resistance to Loneliness: A Mindful Approach

About this course:

Loneliness can be quiet and invisible to others, but painful, often puzzling, to the individual. It can be physically as well as emotionally and mentally taxing. Loneliness is commonly seen as resulting from the disintegration of traditional community groups, families, and social ties leading to increasing social isolation. Offering an alternate explanation and approach, this course focuses on the paradox of inner connectedness—how one can feel comfortable alone and lonely among others, even close family and friends. We are introduced to several mindfulness practices for strengthening inner-personal and interpersonal connectedness, including forms of meditation, inner dialogue, visualization, and guided imagery. This course uses the Hybrid format which allows students to participate remotely and/or in the classroom. This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.