What is Mindfulness? Drawing from Buddhist philosophy, mindfulness is a secular version of meditation. We learned in our recent seminar led by Margaret Landale on 21st June that mindfulness is paying attention to direct experience as it is, on purpose and with acceptance. It is not a concept but a practice, and its benefits can only be gained through regular, formal practice. Mindfulness is an important resource and life-skill for everyone because it helps regulate stress, promotes positive mood, supports the immune system and increases our ability to concentrate. Above all, it helps us to accept what is, enabling us to become curious rather than anxious, and so enabling us to respond more creatively, rather than reacting or behaving in auto pilot, driven by old beliefs or habits. As therapists, one of the best ways to teach clients is to model it through our own mindfulness practice - to embody mindfulness ourselves - which will then be communicated non-verbally to our clients. Margaret Landale told us: Communication is determined by sensory and felt experience. The client will subconsiously respond to the therapists facial expression, eye contact, tone of voice and body posture/language. Language arises from a deep level of relational attunement.
Posted on: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 20:06:06 +0000
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