“Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.” J.C Penney. The field of mindfulness is seeing a rapid growth in research and yet a growing backlash towards research and how it is being portrayed, a rapid growth in facilitators and yet a growing sense of uncertainty of whom is qualified to teach, and an explosion of media communication which seems to be creating even more confusion. In this evening Michael will lead a practice and then speak to insights and considerations emerging from the annual A Mindful Society conference, his work in organizations through Mindful Gateway and his work leading the University of Toronto’s Mindfulness Certificate Programs. We will end with an open discussion on how we can bring mindfulness to the field of mindfulness, and relate in an embodied way to the challenges and opportunities emerging in our field and the community at large.
Michael Apollo, Michael Apollo RP, is a leader in mindfulness, technology and workplace talent development. His work with organizations, academia, and in award winning mobile technologies has allowed him to introduce and train millions of people worldwide in research-based mind training. Michael has worked with leaders within the Canadian Parliament, CIBC, Bell, Rotman Executive Program, and with professional athletes and champion winning teams within the Canadian/US Olympic Teams and American Hockey League. He is Founder and President of Mindful Gateway and Former Program Director of the University of Toronto’s Mindfulness certificate programs. Michael is a registered psychotherapist, and certified facilitator and mentor in MBCT and MBSR through the Centre for Mindfulness, University of Toronto and the UCSD Center for Mindfulness. He is founder of Canada’s premiere professional mindfulness conference, A Mindful Society, and serves as Founding Member of the Parliamentary Mindfulness Advisory Group.