For the past 45 minutes I have been practising Mindfulness, walking, sitting, breathing, listening and watching my thoughts ‘mindfully’. It is described as meditation for daily life. Well actually I try to practise most of the time, when washing up, going upstairs, brushing teeth and so on. This is hard, because like most of us, I tend to dwell on the past or what might happen in the future. In Mindfulness, it is now that is the focus, this very minute and by dwelling in the moment I can ease away the stresses of the past and the future, aiming for awareness and acceptance of things as they are.

First, some basic facts; developed in the Western world out of Buddhist meditation, it isn’t in any way religious. It doesn’t get in the way of any belief that you have, certainly not replacing it. Over the past 30 years scientists and psychologists have proved Mindfulness is one way of coping with life, often avoiding recurrent depression as well as relieving stress and anxiety. In some cases it can be as effective as anti-depressants, but there are many who continue on anti-depressants while practising Mindfulness. (Never, ever stop taking anti-depressants without talking to your doctor first.) Even more remarkably, it has been the subject of rigorous scientific testing on the brain, proving that the good, useful bits that make you feel happier (I won’t try their proper names) develop and grow when Mindfulness is practised.

We are lucky locally, Oxford being one of the world’s leading centres for Mindfulness. When I realised I needed personal guidance rather than just using self-help books, I enrolled on an 8-week course, 2 hours a week plus an all-day retreat, also doing up to an hour’s practice daily.  It was hard, at times frustrating, often painful yet incredibly rewarding. The course is recommended if the practice is to become a habit. Google ‘mindfulness’ and you will find loads of information for yourselves.

If you visit your doctor feeling depressed, stressed or anxious, they may well suggest you try Mindfulness and I believe some prescribe courses. Personally, I say take the opportunity and like me, you may well feel that you have ‘come home’ to a way of being. It is about making a space for yourself, and developing resilience, calm and compassion. And now I need to do a 3 minute breathing space – lovely…

JB
Banbury