How Meditation Supported My Ph.D.

After years working in higher education, mostly focused on distance learning, Christine Lustik needed a break. Swimming upstream in a traditional arena had taken its toll, and the stress had mounted. Leaving education was difficult, but then she had an idea: to continue to contribute to the field by supporting those faculty, administration and staff members who were doing their best for students every day. And the most effective way to do that, Christine knew, was through mindfulness. “I personally have seen many benefits to my practice, including increased focus and concentration, increased calm, much more moderate emotional swings, less focus on daily pains and discomforts, an increased ability to be happy and to see the good in all situations and people, and a desire to lead my life with kindness and compassion,” she says. Christine founded Mindfulness in Organizations to teach individuals and groups about the science and skills behind resilience. She maintains a daily mindfulness meditation practice and goes on at least one silent retreat each year. An unabashed fan of her Montana community, Christine loves outdoor recreation, gardening, being in the kitchen, live music and sculling.