What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a life skill that involves paying attention to our present moment experience with an attitude of openness, curiosity, non-judgment, and acceptance. Mindfulness training enables us to step out of automatic pilot, creating space to respond rather than react. Cultivation of mindful compassion strengthens our inner resources to help us respond more kindly and wisely when faced with inner turmoil and difficulties.
Why Mindfulness?
Key research findings on the benefits of mindfulness practice suggest it can help:
- reduce stress, anxiety, and rumination.
- improve attention and focus.
- reduce emotional distress.
- increase positive states of mind.
- enable us to cope with problems.
- increase empathy and self-compassion.
- promote healthy sleeping and eating, and improve quality of life
Overall, mindfulness training can bring more balance and calm into our daily lives and deepen our sense of well-being and fulfilment.
Is it for me?
The course is ideal for beginners as well as for those who have previous experience of mindfulness and who want to develop their practice. Also, for those who are struggling to maintain a mindfulness practice on their own.
People in recovery from addictions can often benefit from mindfulness training.
The Mindfulness Based Living Course (MBLC)
This course has been developed by the Mindfulness Association. It emerged from the first MSc Programme in Mindfulness and Compassion taught collaboratively between Aberdeen University’s Faculty of Education and Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist Centre. Tutors are fully trained and supported by the Mindfulness Association, fully immersed in their own regular meditation practice, and receive regular supervision.
The Mindfulness Association is affiliated with the British Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches (BAMBA) an organisation ensuring mindfulness-based teaching and supervision adhere to evidence-based good practice guidelines.
Aims of the Course
The course aims to help you to develop an in-depth experiential learning of mindfulness, and to build the foundations of a sustained personal mindfulness practice. A practice that you can apply in your daily life. A kinder way of being.
Course Structure
There is an introductory session before the start of the course. This will give an overview of mindfulness and a taster of how the sessions will be run. It will give you a chance to assess whether you want to commit to the eight-week course.
The course is comprised of eight sessions which are typically two hours long. Each session consists of explanation, guided practice, group reflection and inquiry. It is recommended to practice at home daily, building gradually to about 20-30 minutes.
The weekly themes are:
- Week 1 – Start Where We Are
- Week 2 – The Body as a Place to Stay Present
- Week 3 – Introducing Mindfulness Support
- Week 4 – Working with Distraction
- Week 5 – Exploring the Undercurrent
- Week 6 – Attitude of the Observer
- Week 7 – Self-acceptance
- Week 8 – A Mindfulness-Based Life.
There is a follow-up session included about a month after the course.
Also included:
- Course manual
- Access to guided meditation audios for home practice
- Certificate upon completion of the course (at least 80%)
Location, Dates and Fees
The group will be small (max 6) and held in a comfortable warm log cabin just to the south of St Albans in Frogmore.
Please email for information about next course dates.
Fees are £200 in total. The introductory session is £10.00 and will be deducted from the total cost if you decide to do the course. The total cost is to be paid at the beginning of the course.