What is Mindfulness?

What is ‘Mindfulness’ and how can it help?

Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally (Full Catastrophe Living, – Jon Kabat-Zinn).  This means developing the ability to pay deliberate attention to our experience from moment to moment. We learn to tune in to what is going on in our mind and body day to day without judging our experience.

Stress and anxiety reduction should be one of life’s main priorities. Stress affects every component of our being. It makes fun things less enjoyable. It makes bad things linger longer. It hurts health, motivation, and the ultimate goal of achieving happiness in life’s adventures.

Becoming more aware of our thoughts, feelings and sensations may not sound like an obviously helpful thing to do, however learning to do this in a way that suspends judgment and self criticism can have surprising results. Many people report finding inner strengths and resources that help them make wiser decisions about their health and life in general.

Most of us find ourselves frequently ‘swept away’ by the current of thoughts and feelings, worries, pressures, responsibilities; wanting things to be different from how they are right now. This can be particularly powerful when we are faced with pain, difficulties and illness that confound our attempts to find a solution or to feel better. Feeling stuck in this way can be draining. Mindfulness can help us to work directly with the struggle we sometimes have in relating to life’s experience and in doing so can really improve the quality of our life.

What are Mindfulness-based approaches?

Mindfulness-based approaches are intended to teach people practical skills that can help with physical and psychological health problems and ongoing life challenges.

Mindfulness-based approaches are an integration of ancient Buddhist practices and philosophy of mindfulness, with current psychological understanding and knowledge, and have no religious context at all. Mindfulness-based approaches are intended to help in pragmatic, practical ways,. Mindfulness is taught through meditation skills which include bringing attention to the breath and the body during stillness and movement. I can work with you on all or part of the well know 8 week mindfulness course on a individual or small group basis.