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46 EASTERN HORIZON | FEATURES
“E.F.F.O.R.T.S.
in Enhancing Mindfulness”
By Dr Lee Kwan Meng (and contribution by Quek Jin Keat)
Introduction
E.F.F.O.R.T.S. is an acronym that
stands for “Experiential, Focus,
Faith, Observation, Reflection
and Recollection, Tenacity, and
Sustained Awareness. These are
hidden elements in the practice of
mindfulness that most practitioners
Dr Lee Kwan Meng is an Quek Jin Keat is a co-founder
are not consciously aware of but
Adjunct Professor (Extension of Metta Lodge Buddhist had been applying in their regular
Education) with Universiti Centre, Johor, and Buddhist mindfulness or sati practice. By
Putra Malaysia (UPM). He was Wisdom Centre, Selangor, and knowing it, the practitioner can
a former Research Fellow with columnist for Eastern Horizon enhance his/her practice rightfully.
the Institute for Social Science, from 2013-2017. He has taught We are not proposing E.F.F.O.R.T.S.
UPM, and Program Fellow with Quantity Surveying at both as a new or additional practice to
International Youth Centre, Institut Teknologi Mara and mindfulness. It is to show that it is
Kuala Lumpur. His received his Infrastructure University Kuala there and should be acknowledged,
PhD in Extension Education, Lumpur, and worked as a Project understood, and recognized.
and MSc in Park and Outdoor Director at AECOM. Quek has We found it based on a critical
Recreation from UPM. He spoken on Quantity Surveying examination and reflection of the
has also published numerous at conferences internationally. practice from both an academic
perspective and a practitioner’s
works on youth development He received the Lifetime
experience. It has been part and
and related areas of interest Achievement Award by the Royal
parcel of the process of mindfulness
for youths. As a Buddhist, he Institution of Surveyors Malaysia,
exercises and activities all along. It
had been with the Theravada and the Service Excellence is not an extra practice, but already
fraternity since the 1970s Award by the Pacific Association intertwined with and integrated
where currently he has been of Quantity Surveyors. He with current mindfulness practices.
researching on mindfulness and is currently a Consultant to
other learning areas. Swordfish Solutions Sdn. Bhd. (a Understanding and being aware
licensed private equity firm) and of E.F.F.O.R.T.S. is good for new
HFU Capital. practitioners to mindfulness as
they embark on their mindfulness
journey. It will put them on a
right track from the beginning
and with the right framework of
