I am a week into a two week winter sun getaway to Cyprus. Away from the busyness of work I am noticing a lot of inner-critic dialogue along with an underlying feeling of being a failure. I am aware of a constant vigilance for instances where I might be subject to humiliation. Moreover I appear…
I have noticed that spending time with a 4-year-old teaches me to be mindful, present and curious. My grandson makes me realise the preciousness and gift of the present moment. He has also taught me to be more curious. Each time I see him, he has changed and grown. He does things slightly differently and…
Oh, to meet the Joy and Pain of Christmas with Compassion by Bill Paterson Suddenly Christmas is on the horizon again! Is it really a year since the last one? Interestingly, I’ve noticed a pattern of contrasting thoughts and emotions wrapped in this winter celebration. Yes, the darkness of winter will be punctured with light,…
I did it again. I just fell into the stress and striving trap. Having read Heather’s recent blogs Mindfulness Meditation in the Face of Stress and Mindfulness at Christmas, it made me realise how vulnerable we are to the constant onslaught of life’s ‘stuff’ that can make us react. Since beginning the new role of Communications…
How can our Mindfulness meditation practice support strong connections with those around us over the Christmas period? My mindfulness practice comes in very handy at Christmas time. From helping me to appreciate all the good fortune in my life to enabling me to navigate difficult relationships and circumstances, it is always there to help…
Following on from our blog Be Mindful of the Extraordinary, one of our members responded to the Weekly Challenge and contributed this blog. A Mindful Wish “WELL THE PHONE RANG JUST TOO OFTEN as I curled up for some me time, exhausted after decoration and getting the flat back to ‘normal’: moving bags, books, pictures…
Compassion in Action – Love and Loyalty This week I have been struck again by the love and loyalty that people have for the Mindfulness Association (MA). So many people help us without asking anything in return – compassion in action. I find this love and loyalty touching and sometimes a bit overwhelming. Here at…
Last week I was teaching on the MBLC teaching skills retreat. This causes a lot of our participants to go into anxiety meltdown as they have to be assessed while teaching session extracts from the MBLC 8 week course. It seems to trigger a lot of memories of being tested at school. Also, when teaching…
I am just on the ferry to the mainland from Holy Isle off the Isle of Arran on the way back from the Year 1 year end retreat of the MSc: Studies in Mindfulness. It is a collaboration between the Mindfulness Association and the University of Aberdeen and this is the end of our 8th…