Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Article on Mindfulness I'd Like to Recommend


In my research for my book on mindful composition, I recently came across a marvelous article, Erec Smith's "Buddhism's Pedagogical Contribution to Mindfulness," in the Journal of the Assembly of Expanded Perspectives on Learning: http://trace.tennessee.edu/jaepl/vol21/iss1/7/

I highly recommend it! I recommend the article, hoping you have access to a library database.

In part, Erec Smith examines the Lotus Sutra as a rhetorical treatise. He also makes connections between mindfulness, Kairos, and critical thinking in the writing classroom.

Abstract

Considering the rhetorical elements in the Buddhist text “The True Aspect of All Phenomena” opens the possibility of teaching students a more mindful approach to writing.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Article on Mindfulness Finalist for Rhetoric Review Award


The Role of Mindfulness in Kairos
I am pleased to say that "The Role of Mindfulness in Kairos" was selected as a finalist and Honorable Mention for the 2016 Theresa J. Enos Anniversary for best article published annually in Rhetoric Review.


Here's the link:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07350198.2016.1107825

Abstract
The natural inclination of writers is toward mindlessness or inattention to the present moment despite the benefits understanding the present can bring to writing. Although temporal consciousness is apparent in notions of writing as a process or of writing as situated in a rhetorical context, these ideas largely overlook the present. Buddhist Mindfulness can help with the development of kairotic or present-moment specific practice by including impermanence in the rhetorical context, by emphasizing real time in composing, and by providing access to intrapersonal rhetoric. Increased understanding of the temporal factors of writing calls for an Eastern-mind progymnasmata in rhetorical praxis.