Guest Blogs - Mindfulness Association

Peace Be With You

Mindfulness Association — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 16:21:38 +0000

On International Peace Day 21^st September 2025,[1] I thought it would be fitting to share a blog on the theme of the day, “Act now for a Peaceful World.” Sometimes I excuse my meditation time searching for a space to find some ‘peace and quiet,’ yet, often, it’s exactly what we don’t need to find the inner peace that meditation can provide us with. Did you know that 2025 was proclaimed by the United Nations as an “International Year of Peace and Trust”? An initiative to highlight the need for global cooperation, mutual understanding, and sustainable development promotes, the statement, “Trust is the foundation of peace, and peace is the cornerstone of a just society,” [2] resonates. To me, it seems to embody the principles of mindfulness in action. Something I aspire to achieve through my research at the University of Aberdeen on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Social Justice and mindfulness training and policy. Over the past few months, my research has led me to a number of individuals, groups and organisations contributing to and fostering awareness around finding peace, supporting equity, celebrating diversity and championing inclusion. Social justice is at the heart of these organisations. I hope to share with you some of my findings here.

Before on embarking into the complexities of what ‘peace’ may be, a brief history of the origins and definitions of the root of the term and its journey into modern English by the 16^th Century. The term peace, meaning the absence of conflict and harmony. The etymology of the term, Santi (shanti), in Sanskrit, at approximately 1500 BCE meant ‘tranquility or ‘rest’ [3]; Shalom, (שָׁלוֹם) in Hebrew, meaning wholeness or wellbeing at 1000BCE;[4] the ancient Greek term, Eirēnē (εἰρήνη ), meant, calm or the opposite of war, by 500BCE; [5] by 500 CE the old French term, (with an etymology from the Latin pax) pais or paix, meant agreement, peace,[6] by 1000 CE the Middle English terms, pece/pees referred to social harmony.

It’s clear from these definitions that perceptions of ‘peace’ retain a combination of these linguistic roots. A general definition encompasses the notion of a state of calm and tranquility, as well as the absence disturbance or conflict. A personal or inner peace can be for some a feeling of mental and emotional harmony, freedom from anxiety, stress, or turmoil, a state that meditation can often allow us to enjoy. Social peace refers to the absence of violence, hostility, or social unrest within a community or society and political or international peace is a condition in which nations or groups coexist without war or armed conflict, often maintained through diplomacy, cooperation, and justice. At its core, peace is more than just the absence of conflict, it often includes the presence of fairness, security, and mutual respect and trust too.

“The International Day of Peace,” was established in 1981[7] by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire. Through its Peacebuilding Commission[8], which is marking its twentieth anniversary in 2025, the United Nations works to address poverty, inequality, discrimination, and injustice – all potential drivers of violence. [9] The sentiments carried in these words, “We must speak up against violence, hate, discrimination, and inequality; practice respect; and embrace the diversity of our world, ” [10] ring out loudly and clearly against a backdrop of a world clouded with news of fear, terror, the neglect of basic rights, lack of food, water and safe shelter.

The call in the west for what is generally termed as Socially Engaged Buddhism (SEB) is thought to have originaged by the work of the well-known, inspirational Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher and human rights activist, Thich Nhat Hanh, whose book Being Peace may be familiar to you. [11] Many of us will have encountered the transformational guide in secular mindfulness by Mark Williams and Danny Penman calling us to find peace in everyday life [12] and Eckhart Tolle, who writes in his book, The Power of Now, (2001) a chapter, “Beyond Happiness and unhappiness there is Peace” asks us, “Is there a difference between happiness and inner peace?” [13]

In a recent seminar at Kings College, London, Dr Tiffany Fairey, pointed out that there are limited images in society that convey, ‘peace’, yet there are many more representations of conflict. [14] We don’t have many images of peace, though the opposite is true for conflict and war. A project and resulting exhibition “What is Peace Photography” aims to address this. [15] , [16] Further, in the area of education, Art, Music and Sport work tirelessly towards encouraging young people to adopt positive experiences of peace, to counteract the negative imagery of war and conflict that arrives on a daily basis into their living rooms. This includes an art project for children in schools.[17] A recent exhibition at the parliament shows how war viewed through the eyes of children is a chilling reminder of the effects that war has on their future. [18] It also reminds us, there are in fact fewer images of peace, though the opposite is true for conflict and war.

Many of us who practice mindfulness find that it does foster a range of positive feelings and emotions. Kindness, compassion, care, love, gratitude. Finding peace and acting for peace may also be part of a vision for the future when examining equity, diversity, inclusion social justice and secular mindfulness. This area is the subject of research at the University of Aberdeen. If you are a trained mindfulness teacher interested how peace can be promoted through, “Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Social Justice,” please do reach out.

Shirley Gonsalves

s.gonsalves.22@abdn.ac.uk

References

[1] https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace

[2] https://feature.undp.org/for-people-for-peace/

[3] Peace (n.), Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved from: https://etymology.en-academic.com/26894/peace

Peace, Wikipedia. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace

[4] Shalom, My Jewish Learning. Retrieved from: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/shalom

Shalom: Hebrew Word Study, Ancient Hebrew Research Center. Retrieved from: https://ancient-hebrew.org/definition/peace.htm

Shalom, Wikipedia. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shalom

[5] Peace – Eirene (Greek word study), Precept Austin. Retrieved from: https://www.preceptaustin.org/peace_eirene

[6] Pax (Peace), Wikipedia. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PeaceEtymology from Latin pax → Old French pais/paix → English peace: https://etymology.en-academic.com/26894/peace

[7] http://undocs.org/A/RES/36/67

[8] https://www.un.org/peacebuilding/commission

[9] https://www.un.org/peacebuilding/commission

[10] https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace

[11] Hanh, T.N., 2024. Being peace. Parallax Press.

[12] Williams, M. and Penman, D., (2012). Mindfulness: An eight-week plan for finding peace in a frantic world. Rodale.

[13] Tolle, E., 2004. The Power of Now: A guide to spiritual enlightenment. New World Library.

[14] https://youtu.be/V2V7m6RMKy0?feature=shared

[15] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2V7m6RMKy0

[16] https://imagingpeace.org/

[17] https://www.neversuchinnocence.com/poetry-and-art-competition-old

[18] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeVmlSduMvA

Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger: Silhouette of Trees

Introduction to Trauma-Informed Mindfulness

Mindfulness Association — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 17:03:17 +0000

Introduction to Trauma-Informed Mindfulness

for Teachers of Mindfulness

A strong motivation for teaching mindfulness to others might be to share the gifts of our own practice. These might include benefits to our physical and mental wellbeing, improved relationships, a stronger sense of purpose and clarity, an increased ability to be present with our experience in a non-judgmental way, and perhaps a growing capacity to recognise and open up to moments of joy.

But, as Professor Paul Gilbert points out, living a life as a human being often means inhabiting complexity on many levels – physical, emotional, social and so on. Experience of trauma can have an array of devastating effects on our minds, bodies, brains as well as our relationships, communities and even societies. And so, despite our best intentions as mindfulness teachers, without insight, wisdom and understanding of how trauma may affect human beings and how it may manifest, we may be inadvertently contributing to deepening someone’s wounds.

David Treleaven, a therapist with lived experience of trauma, offers a framework – the 4 Rs – that may be helpful to consider for those wishing to teach mindfulness in a trauma-informed way:

Realise – this is about having that understanding about what trauma is, the different types of traumas, and how these impacts the human body, brain and mind, but also what effects it may have beyond the individual (e.g. intergenerational trauma, racial trauma etc.,).
Recognise – being able to recognise signs of trauma manifesting in the space where you are teaching. Some of these signs will be non-verbal.
Respond – knowing what to do and employing skilful means within one’s scope of practice to respond in a way that is likely to be supportive and helpful to an individual that is possibly struggling with trauma-related difficulties in the context of mindfulness teaching. This may also include referring on to a trauma specialist or mental health professional that works in a trauma-informed way.
(Avoid) Re-traumatisation – according to Treleaven, this is an overarching ethical principle of avoiding doing harm and can encompass all aspects of mindfulness practice/teaching e.g. using trauma-sensitive, inclusive language; considering the layout of the room and props available; thinking about structure and length of practices, adapting classes, practices and materials for the needs of a particular group (trauma-sensitive mindfulness) and so on.

Underlying all of these are also the main qualities of a mindfulness teacher – embodied, grounded and genuine presence, a sense of gentle, non-judgmental curiosity and compassion. As human beings we have the innate capacity to recognise and react to another’s suffering, and so it is not uncommon that mindfulness teachers can find themselves being affected by the suffering (including trauma-related issues) in their students. It is therefore essential that those teaching mindfulness are able to offer themselves unconditional support and know when and where to go for any additional support – as this constitutes part of our commitment to ethical and compassionate practice.

Our Trauma Informed Mindfulness for Teachers will be held at Samye Ling and Online 18-20 October 2024, led by Choden and Natasha Micharin

Trauma Informed Mindfulness for Teachers of Mindfulness (Samye Ling and Online)

Lean on Me

Mindfulness Association — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 10:55:23 +0000

I’ve never been accused of being a shrinking violet, a wall flower or someone who does not reach out in times of need. Yet, often I find that days will go by and I haven’t left the house or I have chosen not to speak about something that is causing me worry. Indeed, I have recently noticed that I have a tendency to isolate myself.

I think that I assumed that as we age, we have less need to be social. I have heard myself make this claim to those around me. It’s as if I was almost convincing myself, and them, that spending time alone is the preferred pursuit. I would usually be met with quiet agreement and then a description of their book club’s trip to Sardinia. Clearly, I am in the wrong book club!

To be honest, socialising has increasingly felt like it takes a lot of effort. What is more, when I am tired, overwhelmed, sad or apathetic, the thought of connecting falls off my radar. Yet, research tells us that, in all actuality, connection is exactly what we need. Connection and community help us feel a sense of belonging, boost our mood and even provide a bit of what Domyo Burke calls “positive peer pressure” or the inspiration and support to engage in healthy behaviours, such as going for a walk, sitting in meditation for the whole 20 minutes (!), or even simply washing your face.

I experienced this first hand when I got a text from a friend asking me to go for a walk. I knew that I needed to go for a walk; I knew that I needed to wash my face 😉, yet I tried to put her off. Thankfully, she is a good friend who refused to say no. She showed up to my door, two coffees in hand and a warm presence to lean on. It was just what the doctor ordered. It was also enough to inspire me to rejoin my Sunday Sangha, a gathering from the Mindfulness Association’s Wisdom course. And you know what? I feel connected, supported and much less alone.

So, if you need a nudge, a friend at your door with two cups of coffee, let me be it. The Mindfulness Association has a vibrant community of mindfulness practitioners. Some have bucket loads of experience, some are just at the beginning of their journey. However, we all have a place to belong to- together. Why not join us for some community meditation? Or if you are part of our membership and/or teacher membership, why not join us for our weekend gathering and one of our retreats? After all, it’s good for us!

Jane Negrych

Being Basically OK

Mindfulness Association — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 13:07:22 +0000

I have been going through a bit of a demanding time, lately. I have just changed jobs and come back to work at the wonderful Mindfulness Association, have started placement for my Psychotherapy Masters, and have become the caregiver for my partner as he finds his way through long-term illness.

All of these are very noble plates that are spinning in my orbit. However, they can all become discombobulating when combined together. Therefore, when Heather Regan-Addis asked the question, ‘Are you ok?’ It felt quite poignant to say, in this moment, I am OK.

But what does that mean?

Being OK does not have to mean that everything is going according to plan, or indeed that life is all a bed of roses. Rather, it means that we have one foot placed in a sense of what the Buddhists call Ultimate Reality. A reality that is fundamentally peaceful, connected and at ease. Some may even say Love. In fact, Tsoknyi Rinpoche calls it Essence Love. There still may be spinning plates of difficult emotions, challenging situations and the demand of ordinary life, but somewhere deep down, we embody a basic Ok ness.

For me, this is the essence of wisdom and indeed what is taught on the Level 4 Wisdom course that is run by the Mindfulness Association. The wisdom has taught me some skills and introduced me to the possibility of having one foot in both Ultimate Reality and the messiness of ordinary life or what Buddhists call Relative Reality. If we can touch in with a taste of this basic Ok ness, we can get a sense of peacefulness, be at ease and inhabit a deep connection with all that is around and within us. Being anchored in this state can help us navigate our way through the spinning plates and can help to keep things in balance.

The challenge is to remain anchored in the state of basic alright-ness, or a sense of peacefulness, ease and connection.

My challenge for each of you is to see if you can touch down in the knowledge that right now, as you read this, as you are breathing and maybe even have a bit of food in your tummy, you’re maybe even warm and protected from the elements, that you are basically OK. How does this feel?

If there is any solace in any basic Ok-ness, can you bring it with you into whatever it is that you will be doing next? Maybe even your week?

Jane Negrych

Compassion Blog – I’ve got your back

Mindfulness Association — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 18:53:48 +0000

I’ve got your back…

Recently, I was teaching a course and doing a session on self-talk. What I mean by self-talk is the little or not so little voice that internally narrates our life for us. This voice provides a running commentary on the mundane, the drama, the people who we live with, the people who we don’t live with, our deepest wishes and our deepest fears. This voice holds center stage and has the power to shape and influence whether we just barely survive, or indeed thrive. In fact, Prof. Paul Gilbert, founder of Compassion Focused Therapy and co- author (with our very own Choden) of Mindful Compassion, once told me that the single most important factor in our ability to transform our lives is the voice that we use with ourselves.

While I was teaching about the importance of cultivating a kind, friendly voice for ourselves, I invited the course participants to draw a picture of what this voice might look like. I mentioned that this was a chance to be creative, to let their inhibitions go. However, the moment I revealed my own picture, I started with the declaration- “Sorry everyone, I am not very good at drawing”. Jinx- I caught myself! Just as I was teaching on the importance of cultivating a kind inner voice, I was vocalizing a negative one. We all had a good laugh and appreciated that my self- effacement was a shared one and this blip highlighted the fact that, actually, changing the voice that we use with ourselves can be hard work and it needs practice. The most important thing is to not beat yourself up when things go awry.

This not beating myself up has been a game changer for me and it completely relies on the voice that I am using with myself. Of course, negative self-talk is going to slip in there. I have nearly 40+++ years of conditioning for it to do so. However, if I touch in with myself throughout my day or at the end of my day with simple questions such as ‘How am I doing?’, ‘What do I need?’ and perhaps most importantly, ‘Do I have my back?’, the kindness and self-compassion starts to flow a little bit easier. I start to feel cared for in a way that no one else can do for me. It actually feels quite empowering.

I invite you to give it a try and see how you get on. What is it like to ask yourselves these questions and even to touch in with them regularly? Remember, the most important thing is to not beat yourself up if you struggle to remember or if that inner voice feels a bit harsh. By giving ourself a break, even when things go awry, we are cultivating kindness and self-compassion.

If this is inspiring you to go a bit further, we have our Level 1: Being Present course (Starts 12 October on Thursday evenings) that explores these themes through our compassion based mindfulness training. If you have already completed the Level 1: Mindfulness, why not take join us for our Mindfulness Level 2 – Responding with Compassion. It is a wonderful opportunity to provide the structure and maintain the commitment to truly change the voice that we use with ourselves. If we can be compassionate to ourselves, we can start to be more compassionate to those all around us.

Jane Negrych