Chris Ruane, a British MP since 1997, and Jamie Bristow, Director of The Mindfulness Initiative, discuss the integration of mindfulness in politics. They reveal how mindfulness training has transformed interactions in the UK Parliament, fostering decorum and understanding among legislators. Ruane shares personal stories of its impact on decision-making and political discourse. They highlight the need for mindfulness to tackle societal issues and contrast intrinsic vs. extrinsic values, advocating for a shift toward deeper human connections in political systems.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Chris Ruane's Mindfulness Journey
Chris Ruane, a Welsh MP, began meditating 32 years ago after learning relaxation techniques during a stressful school inspection.
He later discovered mindfulness and listened to hundreds of podcasts from Spirit Rock, ultimately bringing mindfulness to the UK Parliament.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Jamie Bristow's Path to Mindfulness Initiative
Jamie Bristow, initially an advertiser, rediscovered meditation to cope with stress and later worked at Headspace.
He became involved with the Mindfulness Initiative after volunteering with the parliamentary mindfulness group, eventually becoming its director.
insights INSIGHT
Mindfulness in Parliament: Initial Reactions and Recruitment
Despite initial skepticism, 250 parliamentarians and 350 staff members received mindfulness training.
Ruane tailored his approach based on individual needs, emphasizing stress reduction, personal growth, or policy relevance.
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Chris Ruane has been a member of the British Parliament for more than 20 years. As a meditation and mindfulness practitioner, he wanted to share the benefits of these practices with his colleagues in government. In 2013, he set up free mindfulness classes in the UK Parliament. Since then, more than 150 British Members of Parliament and peers have received mindfulness training, along with 250 members of their staff. Jamie Bristow serves as Director of The Mindfulness Initiative, which was founded in 2013 to support British politicians in forming the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Mindfulness (MAPPG), a cross party group dedicated to developing public policy on mindfulness in health, education, criminal justice and the workplace. Ruane and Bristow have joined forces to bring mindfulness techniques to legislators around the world, hoping it will lead to more thoughtful decision-making and constructive dialogues between opposing political parties. Plug Zone Chris Ruane Bio: http://oxfordmindfulness.org/people/chris-ruane/ Chris Ruane Email Address: ruanec@parliament.uk Chris Ruane Twitter: https://twitter.com/Chris_RuaneMP Jamie Bristow Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamiebristow The Mindfulness Initiative: https://www.themindfulnessinitiative.org/ Ten Percent Happier Meditation - Jeff Warren's Training the Mind: https://10percenthappier.app.link/Sx7HisBOiX ***VOICEMAILS*** Have a question for Dan? Leave us a voicemail: 646-883-8326
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