Leela: Taking the Mind-Body Journey
Ralph Vacca
New York University
82 Washington Square East 6th Flr.
New York, NY 10003
ABSTRACT
Undoubtedly there is a resurgence in interest around mindfulness and the associated practices that rely on attentional control of mind-body activity situated in a non-judgmental perspective (Kabat-zinn, 2003). Emerging research in neuropsychology has provided deeper insights into how mindfulness can have profound benefits in managing anxiety, depression, pain, and psycho-regulatory activity (Chiesa, Calati, & Serretti, 2011). While traditionally mindfulness has been taught through in-person or audio-guided meditation, emerging use of technology has changed the way we think about the cultivation of mindfulness. In this well-played paper we will discuss our experience playing Deepak Chopra’s Leela (N-Fusion Interactive, 2011), which seeks to combine traditional relaxation and meditation techniques with the Microsoft Kinect Xbox 360. Specifically we provide a guided analysis of all seven chakra games, and the “reflect” mode exercises of guided meditation, and breathwork. We begin with a close reading of our experiences with chakra games, which touches on challenges on motion detection, game flow, and the role of aesthetics as the core feedback mechanic. We then move on to our experience with the reflection exercises, where we touch on challenges in cultivating mindfulness and a state of relaxation using games that inherently provide feedback visually, and rely on overt physical behavior inputs. The significance of this well-played analysis will be to provide insights into the challenges around (1) game-based approaches that rely on tension yet seek to promote a “relaxed state” (Sweetser & Wyeth, 2005), (2) embodied learning experiences that require focusing on internal activity (e.g., shifting focus away from a wandering mind) in contrast to external activity (e.g., breathing and gestures) (Mizen, 2009), and (3) insights into how unique aspects of a Kinect-based gaming experience contributes to attentional control and non-judgmental aspects of mindfulness, as well as the role of aesthetics in the overall feedback game mechanics (e.g. visualizing breathwork).
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Chiesa, A., Calati, R., & Serretti, A. (2011). Does mindfulness training improve cognitive abilities? A systematic review of neuropsychological findings. Clinical psychology review, 31(3), 449–64.
Kabat-zinn, J. (2003). Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Context : Past , Present , and Future, (2002), 144–156.
Mizen, R. (2009). The embodied mind. The Journal of analytical psychology, 54(2), 253–72.
N-Fusion Interactive, C. P. (2011). Deepak Chopra’s Leela. Agoura Hills, CA: THQ Inc.
Sweetser, P., & Wyeth, P. (2005). GameFlow : A Model for Evaluating Player Enjoyment in Games, 3(3), 1–24.
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