Mindfulness is a natural human quality, the ability to pay attention to our experience in the present moment.

  • It is defined by Jon Kabatt-Zinn (the founder of the modern mindfulness movement) in this way: “mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and non judgmentally.”

Mindfulness can:

  • Reduce stress and anxiety
    • Mindfulness enables us to be more aware of stressful situations and how we respond to them. As we develop more awareness we can find that our responses change and stressful situations become easier to deal with.
    • Practising meditation gives the body and mind a break, helping us to calm and feel refreshed.
    • Anxiety tends to develop through repeatedly thinking about situations and events we fear. Mindfulness counteracts this by allowing us to be more present and less caught up in thoughts about the future.
    • We can learn not to identify with thoughts and feelings and so become less affected by the things that would previously cause us to feel fear and anxiety.
  • Help alleviate chronic pain
    • Research has shown that mindfulness can reduce chronic, ongoing pain.
    • We learn to be more accepting of pain, feel more relaxed when we are in pain and this can then lead to the pain reducing.
  • Contribute to reducing depression
  • Connect us to deeper meaning in life and create a foundation for awakening to our true nature
  • Enable us to identify and let go off deeply held, habitual and unhelpful and destructive patterns of  thought and emotion.