Articles and blog posts written by team members, tutors and supervisors of the Mindfulness Association about how they bring mindfulness into their lives.
This week I am back in my normal work routine. Off to Manchester on the train today to work with my colleagues in MAHQ. For many of us January can be a difficult time, short of cash after Christmas, dark nights, quite a long time until spring or our next holiday and we may have…
Those of you who read this blog regularly (thank you!) will know that I use the lojong cards from the Pema Chodron compassion box. Unfortunately, they are no longer available. However, her book ‘Start where you are’ which forms the basis of the compassion box is still available and contains a list of the lojong…
I woke this morning (Boxing Day) to the news that George Michael had died. As a teenager in the 80s I was a fan and even went to see Wham live. I’ve never been able listen to ‘Careless Whisper’ or the wonderful ‘Don’t Let the sun go down on me’ duet with Elton John without…
Whatever you feel about Christmas and whatever your religious, spiritual or philosophical perspective, it is as good a time as any to practice joy! I was teaching the final weekend of the Level 3: Responding with Compassion course (click here) last weekend and one of the themes that emerged was that it was much easier to…
Christmas is just a few days away, but after 3 hours shopping for all my family and friends I’m frazzled. Where is my mindfulness practice? I know that the trainings say that mindfulness is all about losing it and getting it, but sometimes I just feel I’ve really lost it! Keeping our practice alive…
Fear is a limiting human emotion, which limits what we feel able to do and boxes us in within what is known and comfortable. Often the problem is fear of feeling fear, fear of failure, fear of change, fear of what others might think, or fear of strong emotions, such as anger or sadness. Often…
This week I am travelling from Venice to Florence for five days of holiday with my husband Mark before travelling back to Venice on Friday to lead the last weekend of the Level 2: Responding with Compassion training. Then back to the UK for Christmas. ‘A Room with A View’ over the River Arno It…
As the holiday season is approaching, a friend and I were talking about gift giving and of the politics that can surround the purchasing of presents. One observation that we made was the need in others, and ourselves from time to time, to reciprocate. And not only to reciprocate but to make sure that we…
I write this blog sitting in the park in Mestre, Italy. I am staying with my friend Gaia, as we are just about to begin teaching the Mindfulness Based Living Course (MBLC) teaching skills retreat in Venice for 5 days, starting Wednesday. She is at home with her mum putting up her enormous Christmas tree…