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U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan tells students about mindfulness
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Brandon Ivory, 13, believes mindfulness is something he can use to cope with school pressures and that it will be beneficial to society for more people to practice.
“I think it will help relieve stress and it will be good for society,” the Rayen Early College Middle School eighth-grader said. “It will prevent problems from becoming bigger problems, and I want to thank Mr. Tim Ryan for writing it and helping us to empower ourselves.”
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, talked to REC eighth-graders Monday morning about his book, “A Mindful Nation,” and the practices it encourages.
Ryan told the students that mindfulness is being in the present moment. He became interested in the practice after learning about former coach of both Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers professional basketball teams, Phil Jackson’s practice of instructing players in it.
Then Ryan went on a five-day retreat where he and other participants checked their smartphones at the door.
“I wrote this book for you,” he told. “I wish someone had taught me how to do this when I was sitting in your seats.”
It would have improved all of his relationships, Ryan said.
Ryan led the students in a few minutes of meditation. They sat up straight in their seats, eyes closed and followed his instructions to concentrate on their breath. Any time their thoughts strayed, they should be aware of it.
“That’s the moment of awareness,” Ryan said. “The moment of awareness is what separates us as human from other creatures. It’s very, very powerful.”
When you develop the skill set to be able to discipline your mind, it helps you realize you have choices in the decisions you make, the congressman said.
The students are studying the book as part of the English Language Arts curriculum as part of the Ignite project.
It’s part of a grant through Ohio State, Kansas State and South Dakota universities to promote health and wellness.
Tyrell Myers, 13, called mindfulness the practice of thinking about today rather than worrying about what may happen tomorrow or what happened yesterday.
Kylearia Day, 13, believes the discipline is something she can use both in school and at home.
She, Brandon and Devonte Foster, 14, and Aalissia Thomas, 13, introduced Ryan to their classmates, explaining the Niles native’s educational and professional background.
Monday wasn’t the first time Ryan came to one of Aalissia’s classes. When she was a third-grader, he visited her class to talk about social and emotional learning.
“It was a great opportunity because he brought a warm smile and a peaceful presence,” she said.