What is it?

Mindfulness is paying attention, to unfolding moment-to-moment experience, on purpose, while suspending judgment, and with an attitude of acceptance.

Paying attention in this way allows you to notice how much time you spend dwelling in the past, anticipating the future or judging and criticizing yourself and others. In noticing this you can guide your attention back to the present moment and make informed choices about what to do next.

Being mindful supports you in becoming aware of what is going on in your mind and body in any moment. This means that you not only experience the richness, joy and vividness of life but also see the difficulties you face more clearly. In approaching life mindfully you learn to develop your capacity to turn towards the difficulties you face with kindness, curiosity and self-acceptance rather than habitual reactivity. Living in this way, you will recognise that life events are not always within your control, but that you have the inner resources to meet and respond to whatever might come your way.

Mindfulness is not something you achieve or ‘get’, it is a capacity for awareness that you already have. One that can support you in strengthening your inner stability and emotional resilience.

What you learn:

  • A range of meditation practices and skills to help you access your capacity for mindfulness.
  • How to identify the connections between thoughts, emotions and physical sensations thereby creating the potential for greater awareness, and ultimately choice.
  • How to identify the distinction between primary stress: (unavoidable stress) and secondary stress: (the stress we create by reacting to stress).
  • How to increase your ability to relax, improve self-confidence and to strengthen your emotional resilience in the face of life challenges.
  • How to listen to yourself, to take greater care of yourself and to make choices that will lead to a satisfying and healthy life.

What mindfulness isn't:

  • It’s not therapy.
  • It’s not a relaxation method, though be warned you might experience relaxation.
  • It’s not about achieving a particular state of mind or outcome but more about meeting your life the way it is.

This has been one of the most important things I have done in my life. It is changing how I interact with the world. I am finding joy again. I feel like I have been returned to myself.