Susan Smalley on becoming mindful in midlife
Recently Dr. Susan Smalley, professor of psychiatry and founding director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA, shared her personal story about how, at age 47, an experience with melanoma caused "a massive reorganization of [her] world view."
From the article:
Smalley decided to take a six-month leave from work and do everything in her power to heal herself. She went to a dermatologist and had the melanoma removed. She also turned to holistic healing—herbs, vitamins, acupuncture, lymphatic massage. She became a vegetarian, stopped wearing a watch, and began to practice yoga and meditate for one to two hours each day. Her doctor declared her cancer-free.
To read A Scientist’s Journey: Becoming Mindful in Midlife by Aimee Liu on SecondAct, click here.
For more, read Suffering is Optional on Mindful.org, by Susan Smalley herself, with Diana Winston, about how meditation practice can ease the mental suffering that often comes with physical pain.
10/18/11
About The Author
Line Goguen-Hughes is a dedicated mindfulness writer and editor, specializing in meditation techniques, mindful living practices, and stress-reduction strategies. As a former assistant editor at Mindful, she has curated and crafted evidence-based articles, guided meditations, and practical well-being tips that help readers cultivate presence, resilience, and balance in daily life. With a passion for translating the latest mindfulness research into accessible insights, Line empowers audiences to deepen their practice and live more fully in the moment.
