Who would study psychology if they didn't have some kind of problem?

Chapter 395 [Mindfulness Raisin Training]

Xu Pengcheng blinked after hearing Nan Zhuren's words.

"Mindfulness?" I was a little confused.

For Xu Pengcheng, this was a rather unfamiliar term. He seemed to be able to understand its meaning word by word, yet he also seemed unable to.

In short, there's a sense of awe and wonder that I don't quite understand.

Nan Zhuren nodded.

"This is a meditation practice that helps us focus on the present moment—for example, paying attention to the taste of food while eating, noticing the feeling of our feet on the ground while walking, and stopping to observe the tension in our body when we are angry, allowing us to be aware of our breathing, emotions, and surrounding environment like an observer."

Nan Zhuren tried his best to explain the principles and effects of the techniques he was about to use in plain language.

"Meditation?" Xu Pengcheng seemed to understand now. "Like a monk sitting in meditation?"

Nan Zhuren gently shook his head: "Meditation is not just about 'sitting with your eyes closed' or 'lying down and relaxing.' Let's practice once, and then you'll understand."

Xu Pengcheng nodded, a hint of anticipation rising within him.

……

The systematic discipline of psychology emerged in 1879, marked by the establishment of the world's first psychology laboratory by the German psychologist Wilhelm Wundt at the University of Leipzig.

However, even before the establishment of psychology as a discipline, human society had already developed many methods for addressing mental health during its development.

With the development of psychology, in addition to innovating, psychologists also review the relevant content in their own social culture and even religious culture, taking the essence and discarding the dross, to form a systematic and unique psychological intervention technique that can be used in modern society.

For example, based on philosophical systems, psychologists have developed the "existential therapy" that was used on Teacher Zhao.

Mindfulness-based therapy is one of the achievements of psychology in this form of development.

The term "mindfulness" originally comes from the Four Foundations of Mindfulness in Buddhism and is one of the main methods of Buddhist meditation.

Western psychologists and medical professionals extracted the concepts and methods of mindfulness from Buddhism, stripping away its religious elements.

Today's mindfulness therapy is a psychotherapeutic method centered on mindfulness, emphasizing the improvement of mental health by non-judgmentally observing the "present moment," such as bodily sensations, emotions, and thoughts.

Psychologists primarily use mindfulness therapy to help individuals break free from cycles of negative thinking, enhance emotional regulation, and improve sensitivity to bodily signals.

In practical terms, this means alleviating emotional distress such as anxiety, depression, stress, and insomnia; providing psychological adjustment for patients with chronic pain; or promoting self-growth by enhancing focus, emotional management skills, and self-awareness.

This is very applicable to Xu Pengcheng today.

……

Nan Zhuren said, "True mindfulness therapy requires several training sessions to truly enter the state."

"However, our main goal today is to improve your eating habits, so we'll just do a simplified introductory exercise."

As Nan Zhuren spoke, he put his right hand to his mouth and made a gesture of pulling it inward.

Xu Pengcheng nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

"You can have some water while I wait. I'll go out and get some equipment we need for our next [Mindfulness Healing] session—"

With that, Nan Zhuren walked out of the consultation room.

He returned in less than two minutes, seemingly without any extra items on him.

The only change was that he was holding something in his right hand.

Under Xu Pengcheng's curious gaze, Nan Zhuren opened his palm, revealing today's "prop"—

In Nan Zhuren's hand, a neatly folded napkin was gently held.

It seems to contain something.

Open the napkin, and there's a raisin inside.

An ordinary raisin.

Nan Zhuren placed it on the coffee table in front of him. Xu Pengcheng stared blankly at Nan Zhuren, then glanced at the lone raisin.

On two palm-sized napkins, the raisin lay quietly in the middle, occupying that tiny little space.

Against the backdrop of pure white, it seems to possess a magical power that irresistibly draws the eye.

The contrast is quite stark, and it seems a bit like they're deliberately trying to be mysterious.

Even though Xu Pengcheng had already established a very deep consulting relationship with Nan Zhuren and had a great deal of trust with him.

I still can't help but feel a little uneasy.

Nan Zhuren chuckled and said, "Alright, let's officially begin the [Mindfulness Raisin Training] now."

……

The Mindful Raisin Exercise is a classic introductory activity for mindfulness practice.

As a “mini-practice” for experiencing mindfulness, it has a very low learning threshold.

You can even find related meditation guides online, and interested learners can even experience it themselves through audio materials.

Of course, the effect is definitely better with the guidance of a professional consultant.

On the one hand, Nan Zhuren can make targeted adjustments based on Xu Pengcheng's situation.

On the other hand, there is a unique guidance—

"Now, find a position that makes you feel completely safe, whether you stand up or sit down."

"You can choose to close your eyes, or focus your gaze on an object in front of you that makes you feel calm."

Nan Zhuren lowered his voice, his tone steady, calm, and magnetic.

[Emotional Support]

[Emotional contagion]

In just a couple of sentences, Nan Zhuren adjusted his state of mind.

At the same time, Xu Pengcheng seemed to be in sync, and his breathing immediately relaxed.

"In the following practice, you don't need to do anything 'correct' or follow any steps. Your body and feelings always have the final say—you can adjust your posture, pause, or even stop the practice whenever you need to."

Nan Zhuren said slowly.

While relaxing and explaining the rules, Nan Zhuren simultaneously strengthened Xu Pengcheng's control.

Regular mindfulness practices rarely emphasize these points repeatedly.

This was to give Xu Pengcheng the idea that all subsequent gains would be actively obtained by "me".

I saw the student in front of me adjust his sitting posture, sinking his whole body deeper into the sofa.

He first closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, then opened his eyes and looked straight ahead, his gaze focused on Nan Zhuren's neck and chest, but not in focus.

"Now, slowly raise your right hand and take the raisins from the container in front of you."

"If this movement makes your heart race, stop in mid-air and tell yourself: 'I can pause here until I'm ready to continue.'"

Xu Pengcheng did not give up.

well.

After all, I consulted them for a long time beforehand.

"When you hold it, don't rush to observe it. Just pay attention to the contraction of the muscles in your palm—gripping it too tightly will cause it to tremble, and gripping it too loosely will cause it to slip. Try to find the tension that makes your hand most relaxed."

"Find the most comfortable position that allows the raisins to stay in your hand for a longer time."

(End of this chapter)