Boice's Awareness

Although I have enjoyed reading Boice's other chapters and value his advice, while reading Boice's chapter 15 on emotion, I was very concerned about his advice. I thought that the chapter was extremely offensive to people who are bi-polar. He doesn't seem to have any understanding that it is a biological disorder, not one anyone would will for him or herself. Although everyone can benefit for mindfulness when teaching, I was disappointed to find him framing his discussion of emotion in terms of hypomania and depression. People with bi-polar disorder struggle with these ups and downs for life and many work hard to lessen these shifts as much as possible. He presents random data and is no expert on hypomania. His discussion of data is trite and not well-supported since he is not qualified to truly analyze emotion (a blanket, unscientific term) and conducts a study that's not large enough to produce accurate results. He mixes what he deems real evidence with random quotes in a very short chapter which trivializes the topic altogether. This trivialization is really very offensive to some. There were moments, particularly at the end of the chapter where he spoke of mindfulness in a truly constructive way and I was glad to see him ending the chapter with a more aware and positive advice. But I think that the whole chapter could and should have been about mindfulness without his skewed and unsupported data and speculation that people with depression and hypomania have complete control of their ups and downs. It's just not realistic for everyone. I thought the chapter showed a lack of consideration and awareness and a disappointing discussion in which he deems himself an expert.