There are a number of people who are currently creating mindfulness programs and instituting them into schools (one in particular has targeted her program with children as young as kindergarten and first grade) These are typically in private school settings to begin with. While there are many who can "vouch" for the validity and usefulness of mindfulness training/practice, I think we will need to wait a few years until more research evidence is presented  by scientists like the one at NIH. (...people are slow to adapt change, especially when it is something they are unfamiliar with) The good news is, the research is being done and is expanding! Plus there seems to be a shift in acceptance of such methods, so hopefully within the next 10-15 years we can see these programs evolving in schools and as a result see dramatic decreases in some of the problems society is constantly medicating kids for, ie: ADD, depression, etc...

if anyone is interested in the lecture i mentioned it is on NIH Videocast site here:

"Mindfulness instruction for urban based: what do we know?"

I think of my youth where so much was about instant gratification.  When I began exploring meditation and mindfulness it was when I had realized that living for instant gratification was empty.  I initially approached this path w/ the "desire" to overcome my desires, and put myself at war w/ my desires which then led to cravings.   It was only w/ time, practice, the guidance of a wise teacher, and much inner exploration that I began to really come into relationship w/ my desires. I came to understand that I could not conquer them and I could not give in to them - in both of these situations desire remained the master.  Eventually I realized that a third way existed through which I could understand my desires and make peace w/ them.  They were neither the enemy or the gratifying agent, but were parts of my psyche that I needed to know, understand, and accept. 

It takes time and work; something I continue to do.   Meditation and mindfulness brings us into balance w/ self, and this leads us to harmony w/ others. I too wish this was taught in our schools.

For me it is observing what ever comes up w/out judgement, w/out acting on it or repressing it; but being mindfully present w/ it.  Meditation has taught me to mediate between emotions, trying not to attach a positive or negative value to them, but to witness them and the potential feelings they elicit.  When we can observe w/out attaching we begin to experience the illusion of strong feelings, and discover how these illusions keep us trapped in attachment.  As our daily meditation brings us to more awareness of this we find that this practice opens in our daily life - and a "powerful acceptance" begins to happen throughout out our lives.

Impulses are like an addiction or a craving.  To observe and be mindful of them allows us to understand how they are connected to us.  If we can observe w/out needing to act on the impulse we find its power over us is lessened and we experience a new found freedom. It takes time and practice.

Often I find myself thinking back of how I dealt with feelings for most of my life or how feelings dealt with me. It is a bit surprising why we do not learn such essential practices in school.

@inquisitive spirit

One of the reasons of this site is to make mindfulness and meditation more accessible to the mainstream. It is fantastic that there are more and more studies about the effectiveness of mindfulness but I believe it needs something like a trend, like "go green" (even though that was brutally commercialized) to reach the masses.

The closest we got was probably that Yoga became so popular, but then again the fitness industry ripped some things out of yoga and made it more like fast food instead of what it really is.

I'm right now a bit caught up with another project (need to make some money too!) but I have some things planned for this site here for next year. The next "milestone" is to get more great, smart people like you two, to be here and share their wisdom. Only as a group we can really start moving things around.

@wndancer

I have been at this sort of dead end as well, realizing that happiness, purpose and meaning comes from inside. It is a bit unfortunate that many people need to hit some dead end on their journey trough life to question if "is this all there is". Too many people (that included me back then) don't know what they are missing and how much more they could get out of life by understand these essential things.

I completely agree that looking at your desires in a mindful manner is more productive and constructive than letting them become cravings. 

In reflection, I see that I stepped away from this outlook recently and should truthfully return. Thank you for keeping everyday things respectfully mindful. It helps us all out.

When I think I am being impeded it is me standing in my own way.  When I recognize this and get out of my way it's surprising how much easier life becomes.  You make an excellent point Rob; not going down a "darker path" but finding a positive light. I think that learning to do this helps us advance in our practice.

Jay I think many of us must hit a dead end or face a crisis before we start to question what we have been told.  A wise teacher once told me that is a good thing to question everything, and if what we are questioning can't tolerate the examination then it does not hold truth.

Mamadel we are handicapped only if we believe that we are.  As we expand our awareness we find the truth hidden in all things.

Inquisitive Spirit it is great that science and research are finding proof of what the ancient adepts taught. I find the field of Quantum Physics fascinating as it brings scientific support for these ancient teachings. I think we are seeing that circle come round and touch itself. A great time to be in human form.