Gamification and Dynamic Mindfulness

admin 29, Jul 2019

A number of people are not informed about the term gamification. Gamification is characterized by the use of gaming elements such as scoring, play, competition and rewards.

A basic example of gamification is merit badges that scouts win. Gamification brings in gratification at numerous levels, and they bring in financial rewards as well.

Gamification is used as an encouragement strategy at a number of avenues. This includes corporate as well. In offices, gamification is used as a means to boost employee engagement. A few of the most commonly seen implements of the same is sharing company information over social media, and meeting the performance goals.

It is not just in recent times that gamification is being used to keep participants engaged and infuse good learning habits. The implements of gamification have been implemented in a scientific manner ever since the 19th century.

Dmitri Mendeleev was a Russian scientist who first used gamification as a learning tool. Mendeleev used to be an avid player of cards, and with the use of playing cards, he used to remember the elements of periodic table.

In the present day world, gamification is a term which is associated with a number of implements. One creates games that are used for learning very simple and basic tasks. Gamification is also used to understand emotions in a number of cases. Another implement of gamification is for employee engagement. A number of mindfulness practices too are developed based upon gamification.

Let us consider an example from the real world. Super Better is a game which has been designed Jane McGonical. This has helped thousands of people deal with challenges in real life, such as traumatic injuries, chronic pain and depression. There are a lot of ways in which the game specifies how bringing about a change in everyday habits transforms our lives for better.

Another example that highlights the same point is Mindful Games, which has been created by Susan Kaiser Greenland. The package involves a book and game cards. Use of these tools is a way that encourages infusing of mindfulness within the family.

With the author’s book and game cards, one comes across ways to develop focusing skills. Similarly, they suggest ways to regulate emotions, encourage generosity and kindness and sensory awareness as well.

A significant development in the field of gamification and dynamic mindfulness is development of meditation apps, which put gaming techniques to avail. Headspace and Calm are two such apps, by using which guided meditation becomes possible. By using invitation, the series of meditations attain an all new level.

Apps for guided meditation simplify the practice

A unique selection among meditation apps that uses implements of gamification is Insight Timer. The app specifies the number of meditation milestones that one has achieved through an array of stars.

One also has a choice at auto posting to social networks, with the information that weather one is initiating meditation, or weather one is through the session.

It is a powerful idea to meditate with 10,000 people all at once. This can then come across as a preferred topic of conversation over social media, over channels such as twitter.

Insight Timer is an app which is characterized by a strong community aspect. People have a chance at sharing insights and join groups that are centered around their areas of interest.

It implies that community engagement becomes gamification in certain ways.

It is not just support that gamification garners. There are sets of people who are opposed to the entire idea.

A certain set of people have the opinion that gamification is a factor that nullifies the value that mindfulness brings. It is not a fine idea to associate it with meditation practice.

There is a post titled ‘Buddhism, Gamified’. As per this post, the purpose of meditation is to get good metta, which may be specified as loving kindness. The same boosts our level of incarnation in our next rebirth.

As per the post, attainment of Nirvana is the ultimate goal of meditation. It is not stress reduction.

It is hard to comment on the perspective.

Meditation nevertheless is something that has rendered a significant bit of peace for innumerable people. Meditation renders an insight for an individual over matters such as how busy or how idle the mind can possibly be, or not be. It also specifies how much control we can exercise over the same.

Technology may play a role in enhancing the degree of meditation

Technology helps bring these ideas to reality. One of such technological devices is a Muse headband. It gives an insight into what goes on in the head.

The question to ponder over here, is that if gamification can be classified as anti mindful.

Meditation teachers very often tell their students to count their breaths. This is seen as a training tool for meditation.

This is about the value gamification has in meditation. It is merely a tool. It is not the end result of meditation.

For inducting an individual into regular meditation, or for making meditation a more desirable activity, gamification may be used for a trainee. It helps keep the environment light.

As one becomes more accustomed to meditation for longer hours, one may choose to stop putting implements of gaming to avail for meditation, or use them as and when required.

Apps and tools can work well for an individual. They can enhance the practice of meditation, and also encourage people to make mindfulness practices as a part of their daily lives.

By using apps and tools, developing a practice of the habit is simplified. To start with, it is the habit which of a significant importance.

But when one starts seeing real results, one comes to realize that he may not be required to use gaming at all. That is, unless if you desire to experiment further still.

When one is deeply focused over using gamification apps for meditation, one can start focusing more deeply over getting the highest number of points than anything else. This may not be the best way to go about it.

But even this is what one does, focus still improves over time. One attains a higher degree of calmness, and also finds the ability to handle varied kinds of situations in the right way. So this should be seen positively.