Guest Teacher: Mickie Brown “Resilience and Well-Being Through Sensory Awareness”

In Buddhism, the concept of sati (mindfulness) emphasizes present-moment awareness, which includes keen attention to the five physical senses and the mind itself. This practice addresses a central Buddhist teaching: that much of our suffering comes from being trapped in habitual, reactive mental patterns. By grounding awareness in sensory experience, a practitioner can observe thoughts, emotions, and cravings without getting caught up in them.

Fast forward to today where Neuroscientist Dr. Norman Farb and Dr. Zindel Segal – clinical psychologist and a co-developer of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) link sensory awareness to modern neuroscience through their concept of “sense foraging”. The practice they have developed relaxes the brain’s habitual patterns, making it a valuable tool for resilience and mental health, hence linking this ancient concept to modern neuroscience.

Together, we will discuss the practice of sense foraging to help us engage fully in any situation, opening to greater possibilities for action and resilience.

Mickie Brown is a Registered Nurse and holistic health professional with a concentration in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). She is a mentor and public speaker, drawing on her lived experience of mindfulness and experience working as former Clinical Manager for Education, Mindfulness, and Patient Well-Being at The World Trade Center Health Program at Mount Sinai Health Center in New York. She teaches MBSR as well as Mindfulness Pauses for employees of Mount Sinai through Mount Sinai Calm.