1. Flourishing with Mindfulness &
Character Strengths Practices
Ryan M. Niemiec, PsyD
Education Director and Psychologist
VIA Institute on Character
ryan@viacharacter.org
www.ryanniemiec.com
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
HP Live
July 19, 2013

2. © Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

3. Mindfulness: A Scientific Definition
+
Self-Regulation Curiosity
Openness
Acceptance
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

4. © Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

5. Catch AP-ASAP
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

6. Character Strengths
 What is VIA?
 Pathways to PERMA
 Signature strengths studies
 Strengths-spotting
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

7. Depth
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

8.  Curiosity
 Self-Regulation
 Perspective
Character Strengths Breathing Space
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

9. “We can’t understand what is
happening to ‘something’ if we
aren’t looking. But nothing is going
to happen to that ‘something’ if we
don’t look deeply. That’s why so
many things with incredible
potential go unnoticed because
nobody bothers to look.”
Integration
•Filmmaker, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

10. Ways to Integrate
1.) Strong Mindfulness
CS M
2.) Mindful Strengths Use
M CS
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

11. Strong Mindfulness
1. Manage meditation obstacles
2. Supercharge your practice
3. Enhance mindful living
Bringing more of
YOU
into the mindfulness
experience
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

12. Strong Mindfulness:
Obstacle Management
 Choose 1 meditation obstacle.
 Explore how each of your top 5-7
strengths can help you manage the
obstacle.
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Practice
Example

13. © Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

14. Mindful Strengths Use
 Combats strength blindness
 Addresses context and balance
 Builds a virtuous circle
 Manages overuse
 Manages underuse
 Assists with positive
reappraisal
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

15. Mindful Strengths Use:
Sample Practices
 Target specific character strengths
 From mindless to mindful
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Practice
Examples

16. Mindfulness-Based Programs
MBSR MBCT DBT ACT
MBSP
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

17. Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice
(MBSP)
1. Mindfulness & Autopilot
2. Signature Strengths
3. Obstacles are Opportunities
4. Mindfulness in Everyday Life
5. Valuing Your Relationships
6. The Golden Mean
7. Authenticity & Goodness
8. Your Engagement with Life
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

18. Moving Forward – Here & Now
 Beginner or expert?
 Practice
 Priming
 “Something with M, something with CS”
(MBSP approach)
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

19. MBSP
www.viacharacter.org/mindfulness
 MBSP research or MBSP practice
 Training in MBSP?
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

20. One Survey – Three Reports
VIA Survey
(www.viame.org)
© Copyright 2011-2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

21. Thank You!
Ryan Niemiec
ryan@viacharacter.org
www.ryanniemiec.com
© Copyright 2013 VIA INSTITUTE ON CHARACTER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
VIA Institute
www.viacharacter.org
www.viapros.org