The Power of Mindful Learning

Radicalinitsimplications,thisoriginalandimportantworkmaychangeforevertheviewsweholdaboutthenatureoflearning.InThePowerofMindfulLearning,EllenLangerusesherinnovativetheoryofmindulness,introducedinherinfluentialearlierbook,todramaticallyenhancethewaywelearn.Inbusiness,sports,laboratories,orathome,ourlearningishobbledbycertainantiquatedandpervasivemisconceptions.Inthispithy,liberating,anddelightfulbookshegivesusafresh,newviewoflearninginthebroadestsense.Suchfamiliarnotionsasdelayedgratification,”thebasics”,oreven”rightanswers”,areallincapacitatingmythswhichLangerexplodesonebyone.Shereplacesthemwithherconceptofmindfulorconditionallearningwhichshedemonstrates,withfascinatingexamplesfromherresearch,tobeextraordinarilyeffective.Mindfullearningtakesplacewithanawarenessofcontextandoftheever-changingnatureofinformation.Learningwithoutthisawareness,asLangershowsconvincingly,hasseverelylimitedusesandoftensetsonupforfailure.Withstunningapplicationstoskillsasdiverseaspayingattention,CPR,investmentanalysis,psychotherapy,orplayingamusicalinstrument,ThePowerofMindfulLearningisforallwhoarecuriousandintellectuallyadventurous.