Demystifying Mindfulness (FutureLearn)

Offered by Leiden University,
Demystifying Mindfulness (FutureLearn)

Discover the science of mindfulness, learn how it works and why, from a political, psychological, and philosophical perspective. Experience mindfulness for yourself, and learn whether it really works. Interest in meditation, mindfulness, and contemplation has grown rapidly in recent years. These practises are increasingly being seen as scientifically and psychologically valid forms of therapy.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

As new evidence from neuroscience backs up the claims for mindfulness’ value, it is now being adopted by practitioners as a tool for therapy, and by big business as a ‘lifestyle choice’.
But what is mindfulness? And how exactly does it work? On this course you’ll explore the academic underpinnings of mindfulness – stripping away its ‘mystery’ once and for all.

What topics will you cover?

  • Introduction to Mindfulness
  • Psychology of Mindfulness
  • Philosophy of Mindfulness
  • Politics of Mindfulness
  • Mindfulness into the Future
  • Volunteer Project

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Describe popular conceptions and misconceptions about mindfulness
  • Interpret your own experiences of mindfulness practices
  • Evaluate the social and political significance of mindfulness
  • Compare different psychological and therapeutic approaches to mindfulness

Who is the course for?
This course is for mindfulness beginners and professionals, academics and non-academics. If you’re interested in mindfulness – whatever the level – you’ll enjoy discovering its academic underpinnings, allowing you to judge for yourselves and examine sources.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Investigating a Murder with Forensic Psychology (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
The Open University

Investigating a Murder with Forensic Psychology (FutureLearn)

Experience what it’s like to be a detective in a murder investigation as you learn how psychology can help crack the case. Explore applied psychology in the context of a criminal case. Psychology plays an important role in police enquiries. It can help build rapport, plan interviews, detect deception, and understand cognitive bias.

Dec 19th 2022
4 Weeks
Mindfulness Through Film (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
INTO FILM

Mindfulness Through Film (FutureLearn)

Explore how film watching and filmmaking can be used in secondary teaching to introduce mindfulness principles and exercises.  Support students' mental health through the power of film. Created in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, this course includes a variety of film-based strategies to enable you and your learners to confidently engage with mindfulness. Discover how film can help you tap into the mental health benefits of mindfulness, such as enhancing focus, promoting self-regulation, increasing resilience, and improving interpersonal skills. 

May 9th 2022
2 Weeks
Nature Connectedness with the University of Derby (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Derby

Nature Connectedness with the University of Derby (FutureLearn)

Learn to establish a new relationship with nature to help improve your wellbeing and tackle larger issues such as climate change. Explore the relationship between nature connection and the climate crisis. Too often we see nature as something to use, control, or as a threat to us. The climate crisis and wildlife emergency show that the existing relationship between people and the rest of nature is breaking down. It has become too disconnected and narrow.

Jul 26th 2021
4 Weeks
Ethical Decision-Making in Care (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Exeter,University of Surrey

Ethical Decision-Making in Care (FutureLearn)

Raise your awareness of everyday ethical issues in care and learn techniques to make ethical decisions. Learn how to use ethical frameworks to make decisions in care. On this course, you’ll explore ethical issues that arise in daily care, and learn the best practices for reflecting on and making moral decisions.

Oct 11th 2021
4 Weeks
Introduction to Research Ethics: Working with People (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Leeds

Introduction to Research Ethics: Working with People (FutureLearn)

Find out how to conduct ethical research when working with people with this online course for academic researchers. Ensure your research is up to the highest ethical standards. On this course, you will learn the principles of ethical research, and how to manage human subject research in sensitive and appropriate ways. You will consider issues like gaining consent, making sure that personal information is handled safely, and recruiting vulnerable participants.

Feb 16th 2026
2 Weeks
Self Care and Wellbeing: A Practical Guide for Health and Social Care (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Edinburgh,Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

Self Care and Wellbeing: A Practical Guide for Health and Social Care (FutureLearn)

Learn practical self-care exercises to manage stress and improve your wellbeing so you can care for others effectively. Learn practical self-care exercises to manage stress and improve your wellbeing. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought major challenges and pressures for health and social care workers, as well as for students in the sector.

Oct 3rd 2022
3 Weeks
Safeguarding in Collaborative Research and International Development: Contexts, Challenges, and Opportunities (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Glasgow

Safeguarding in Collaborative Research and International Development: Contexts, Challenges, and Opportunities (FutureLearn)

Learn fundamental safeguarding principles and how to adapt them to suit whatever research contexts you may encounter. Ensure proper safeguarding training and policies in international research. Safeguarding training must be very context-specific in order to be effective, and this remains a major challenge in international development and research. On this three-week course from the University of Glasgow, you’ll learn how to ensure safeguarding in collaborative research projects across diverse global situations.

Jan 31st 2022
3 Weeks
Exploring Sustainable Living and Loving with Mogli (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Tommy Hilfiger

Exploring Sustainable Living and Loving with Mogli (FutureLearn)

Embrace green living and learn how to adopt a more mindful and environmentally-friendly lifestyle with singer and activist, Mogli. Discover how to live sustainably and kindly in our world today. This course will help you begin or enhance your existing movement towards a more mindful and sustainable lifestyle. Under the guidance of singer, songwriter, and sustainability activist, Mogli, you’ll learn how to embrace a kinder way of living, for both people and planet.

Mar 1st 2021
2 Weeks
Nutrition Science: Lifestyle Medicine (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Aberdeen

Nutrition Science: Lifestyle Medicine (FutureLearn)

Discover the preventative role of diet and nutrition for lifelong health and the relationship between mood and food. Unpack the factors that promote health and wellbeing in adults. Poor diet and lifestyle choices can lead to an increased risk of some diseases, affecting our lifelong health. On this four-week course, you’ll explore the many factors at play that can help promote health and wellbeing in adults.

Jul 4th 2022
4 Weeks
Incarceration: Are prisons a suitable punishment? (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Leeds

Incarceration: Are prisons a suitable punishment? (FutureLearn)

Law

Explore life inside UK prisons. Learn whether this type of punishment reduces crime and if rehabilitation can prevent reoffending. Explore the ethics of imprisonment and identify prison alternatives. England and Wales have the highest incarceration rate in Western Europe. Almost a quarter of these prisoners are held in overcrowded prisons. On this course, you will take a look inside the prisons of England and Wales.

Feb 16th 2026
2 Weeks
Music and Intelligence: Can Music Make You Smarter? (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Padova

Music and Intelligence: Can Music Make You Smarter? (FutureLearn)

Examine the relationship between music and intelligence, debunking common myths, and exploring amazing facts. Explore how music affects human psychology. It’s long been thought that music has the power to affect cognition – but can music really improve intelligence? On this course, you’ll explore the truth behind the connection between music and intelligence, learning whether music treatment (such as music training or music-related activity) can actually improve cognition.

Feb 21st 2022
3 Weeks
Research Ethics and Vulnerability: Ethical Research in Adults with Impaired Decision-Making Capacity (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Malaya

Research Ethics and Vulnerability: Ethical Research in Adults with Impaired Decision-Making Capacity (FutureLearn)

Learn how to conduct ethical research with adults who have impaired decision-making capacity. Effectively protect research participants with impaired decision-making capacity. It is your responsibility to protect research participants. Those who have impaired decision-making capacity are incapable of giving informed consent. They may not be able to protect their own interests and merit special consideration by researchers and research ethics committees.

May 16th 2022
2 Weeks