What is Mindfulness?
It is a simple yet powerful practice of being in the moment. A Mindfulness practice is
about training your mind to bring it’s attention to what is happening in the here and now.
Noticing what thoughts, emotions and sensations may be present but doing so in a non-
judgemental way. Also to not to become lost in them.
The Aim of Mindfulness
Is to be able to apply Mindfulness in any part of your life and not just when you are taking
time to do a Mindful practice.
A Mindful Practice
It’s find a quiet place for a short time everyday if you can. To practice the various
techniques which include the 3 step breath; body scan; and Meditation.
How it can Help?
Reports from those who have a regular mindfulness practice, suggest that it is an
effective treatment for stress, worry, and focus with a positive impact of other parts of their
lives. There is Research certainly to support this, and also the positive impact it can have
on those with recurring depression.
Developing a Mindfulness
As part of your therapy, I may bring in the ideas and techniques of Mindfulness.
Something we can do in a session, and for you to practice in-between. If you are
particularly interested in having this as part of your therapy with me then do let me know.
Roots of Mindfulness
Mindfulness has its roots in Buddhism. In particular, at the turn of the 20th Century
Buddhist teachers in Burma started to make Buddhism, Meditation and also Mindfulness
more accessible to the general population: took out many of the technical and teaching
aspects. These practices spread to India, where in the 60’s and 70’s Westerns
encountered it and realised it potential. It was Jon Kabat-Zinn who took it into Western
Medicine (the Buddhist framework taken out) with the development of the Mindfulness-
Based Stress Reduction programme. Here in the UK, Mindfulness has been moved
forward by Professor Mark Williams.
By Sue Martin Counselling & Psychotherapy, Therapy in Clapham South, London, Battersea, south west London, sw4 CONTACT PAGE
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