Although this article uses the neuromythology of right brain/left brain, and is focusing on the medical profession, it nevertheless includes some observations that could prove useful for lawyers and other conflict practitioners. From an article in Philadelphia's The Inquirer "Restoring left-brain activities to medical school" (a title that is puzzling as it does not fit the article even if one uses the neuromyth of the brain being divided in function):
Medical education is in a crisis. According to a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine, half of 4,287 students surveyed at seven medical schools experienced burnout and 10 percent expressed suicidal ideation. And doctors aren't much better off; a second study in JAMA Internal Medicine of 7,288 physicians showed that almost half had experienced some symptom of burnout.
The public image of doctors hasn't fared well, either. While the popular notion of doctors was once the wise and avuncular Marcus Welby, M.D., more recent portrayals tend toward Dr. Gregory House, a brilliant but annoying know-it-all with a decided God complex.
Salvatore Mangione, an associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University, thinks he knows why. In talks and papers, he has investigated how medical education veered off course and how it can be reinvigorated. ...
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"We've heard [anecdotally from students] that the [drawing] class was almost like Zen therapy," says Mangione. "The students felt that this helped them see things differently and to feel differently."
Click to read about some efforts to bring a different way of seeing into the profession. Would some of these practices be helpful for law students? Lawyers? If so, how might similar measures be used with law students? Lawyers? Where are aligned practices already being used by law students? Lawyers?
Thank you, Stephanie, for this post. I find this so intriguing, and am half-set to give a drawing exercise a try in my Torts class in the fall.
Appreciating your love of teaching and learning for wellbeing, and your dedication to sharing with all of us.
May you be very well and joyful,
Rhonda
Posted by: Rhonda Magee | June 15, 2014 at 04:53 PM
I posted this before via TypePad but it does not seem to have appeared. I think TypePad is having problems. Here's my response again . . .
Hi, Rhonda. Thanks for your message. I certainly hope you do use drawing in your Torts class.—and then write about it or in some other way let others who are interested know how it goes!
As I am sure you know, there are some great books on mindfulness and meditative approaches to art.
I wish you the best.
It was a delight to hear from you. Thanks for dropping by idealawg.
Posted by: Stephanie | June 16, 2014 at 03:03 PM
Hi, Rhonda. Thanks for your message. I certainly hope you do use drawing in your Torts class.—and then write about it or in some other way let others who are interested know how it goes!
As I am sure you know, there are some great books on mindfulness and meditative approaches to art.
I wish you the best.
It was a delight to hear from you. Thanks for dropping by idealawg.
Posted by: StephanieWestAllen | June 16, 2014 at 04:53 PM