Self-Realization In Higher Education: Infusing Meditation Practices In Undergraduate Courses For Improved Focus And Concentration

Jimenez, Joseph

Dissertation

Self-Realization In Higher Education: Infusing Meditation Practices In Undergraduate Courses For Improved Focus And Concentration

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Abstract

We live in a fast-paced world with daily stimulation like family problems, social media influences, technology and personal belongings, just to name a few. The kinds of information easily available due to technological advances create endless distractions and require accelerated focused attention. Due to a lack of investment in learning how to enhance focus and concentration in education, multitasking has been one of the most common reasons people have difficulty enhancing these abilities, which can have an impact on how effective they are at retaining and cognizing information. This study emerged as the result of the lack of progression in higher education to focus on developing students’ skills in concentration, focus, and attention. to the researcher got to experience first-hand how undergraduate students, adult learners, and also educators try to maintain jobs, family obligations, community, and professional services while pursuing personal fulfillment and educational and professional goals So, what can help undergraduate students, and educators better manage themselves more consciously so that each course can produce a productive value? How can students have the opportunity to remove all their distractions for at least the 50 minutes of class time to become more relaxed, focused, attentive, calmer, and fully present with each other while teaching and learning? The purpose of this dissertation is to introduce into higher education the art of enhancing concentration by incorporating 10 minutes of Self-Realization inner experience exercises like cloud meditation and mindfulness practices in the beginning of an undergraduate course to help the students achieve a greater state of focus and concentration. Developing a conscious classroom environment with Self-Realization mindfulness practices would remove the current distractions in order for the student to be 100 percent engaged. Enhancing the attention and concentration which will enable the student to realize the tremendous benefit of incorporating meditation into any field of study to overcome mental, physical, and emotional inharmony that cause fear, stress, and anxiety. This study will present a Self-Realization meditation framework that derives its academic pillars from ancient yogic practices for students in a higher education setting. Through yogic practices, undergraduate students can gain a conscious awareness of what it is like to remove distractions and develop clarity. As a result of overstress and difficulty mastering thoughts, the person fails to achieve the balance required for the harmonious development of effective living.

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