The Power of Mindful Learning (Langer, 1998)

The Power of Mindful Learning (Langer, 1998)

Ellen J. Langer

Radical in its implications, this original and important work may change forever the views we hold about the nature of learning. In The Power of Mindful Learning, Ellen Langer uses her innovative theory of mindfulness, introduced in her influential earlier book, to dramatically enhance the way we learn.In business, sports, laboratories, or at home, our learning is hobbled by certain antiquated and pervasive misconceptions. In this pithy, liberating, and delightful book she gives us a fresh, new view of learning in the broadest sense. Such familiar notions as delayed gratification, "the basics", or even "right answers", are all incapacitating myths which Langer explodes one by one. She replaces them with her concept of mindful or conditional learning which she demonstrates, with fascinating examples from her research, to be extraordinarily effective.

Mindful learning takes place with an awareness of context and of the ever-changing nature of information. Learning without this awareness, as Langer shows convincingly, has severely limited uses and often sets on up for failure. With stunning applications to skills as diverse as paying attention, CPR, investment analysis, psychotherapy, or playing a musical instrument, The Power of Mindful Learning is for all who are curious and intellectually adventurous.

p.13 When we drill ourselves in a certain skill so that it becomes second nature, does this lead to performing the skill mindlessly?

p.14 Learning the basics in a rote, unthinking manner almost ensures mediocrity.

p.23 Sideways learning aims at maintaining a mindful state. As we saw, the concept of mindfulness revolves around certain psychological states that are really different versions of the same thing: (1) openness to novelty; (2) alertness to distinction; (3) sensitivity to different contexts; (4) implicit, if not explicit, awareness of multiple perspectives; and (5) orientation in the present... Mindfulness creates a rich awareness of discriminatory detail.

p.37 to accomplish virtually anything, we need a modicum of attention.

p.39 For us to pay attention to something for any amount of time, the image must be varied.

p.43 The most effective way to increase our ability to pay attention is to look for the novelty within the stimulus situation

p.48 These studies suggest that mindfully varying perspective helps us pay attention.

p.49 giving instructions to vary the target of attention seems to lead to an improvement in the ability to pay attention to a subject and remember what was learned

p.89 Geniuses or not, once we recognize that we have forgotten something we need, we become oriented to the present and reinvent or rediscover what we need to know.

p.139 How can we know if we do not ask? Why should we ask if we are certain we know? All answers come out of the question. If we pay attention to our questions, we increase the power of mindful learning.