00:08 - Sean introduces Dr. Shelly Harrell

04:30 - Mindfulness as an essential component of mental health

07:25 - Dr. Shelly shares about her personal mindfulness journey

10:22 - Dr. Shelly shares about her professional mindfulness journey as a therapist and researcher with a focus on the mental health of BIPOC and members of marginalized communities

11:40 - What is the role of culture in our healing and how do we reach people who may not be interested in ‘standard’ mindfulness offerings?

18:12 - Why the way we speak about mindfulness may not resonate with all communities

23:45 - How do we adapt our teachings to meet the needs of who we are teaching?

24:30 - How the concept of “soulfulness” became a means of culturally adapting mindfulness

27:01 - QUESTION: How do you differentiate between ‘soulfulness’ and ‘spirituality’ in a space where it may be important to remain secular?

35:10 - QUESTION: When teaching to groups (versus individuals), how do I reach everyone where they are at? 

45:20 - QUESTION: The only thing worse than no awareness of cultural differences is assuming what cultural resonance looks like. So, what advice do you have for those seeking to connect with communities that are not their own?

49:30 - Sean emphasizes soulfulness as an invitation, and connecting not with the head, but with the heart. 

51:05 - Dr. Shelly shares slides from her 6 session flagship course, A Soulful Introduction to Mindfulness

52:37 - The aim of the class is to teach the foundations of mindfulness, but to emphasize and integrate culturally resonant themes

56:32 - What do we mean when we say ‘cultural adaptation?’

57:33 - Integrating music and mindful music listening

1:02:12 - Integrating connection to the natural world

1:09:33 - Integrating quotes and the wisdom of BIPOC

1:15:03 - Exploring non-theological definitions of ‘soulfulness’ and ‘soul’

1:25:28 - African healing traditions and the Sankofa Adinkra wisdom system

1:26:58 - Temporal interconnectedness, ancestral connection, and remembering

1:31:05 - A culturally relevant definition of mindfulness and the four essential qualities

1:34:15 - The explicit relationship between mindfulness and liberation

1:41:30 - Sawubona as a specific soulfulness practice (i see you)

1:47:03 - A 10-sense practice that goes beyond the 5 senses

1:50:25 - STUDENT REFLECTION: Thank you for this perspective on how the teachings can be customized using different tools.

1:52:!0 - STUDENT REFLECTION: On mindfulness in nature

1:56:10 - STUDENT REFLECTION: On the profundity of soulfulness and the ways in which we can meet people where they are, no matter which ‘group’ they belong to.

1:57:50 - Dr. Shelly’s closing remarks

Resources:
Harrell, Shelly P. (2018) "Soulfulness as an Orientation to Contemplative Practice: Culture, Liberation, and Mindful Awareness," Journal of Contemplative Inquiry: Vol. 5: No. 1, Article 6.

Available at: https://digscholarship.unco.edu/joci/vol5/iss1/6 

- The Soulfulness Center Classes and Programs with Dr. Shelly Harrell 
- Sawubona:“I See You” Guided Meditation on Insight Timer
- Adinkra Free Community Meditation Series: 1st Mondays