“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and non judgmentally.”
– Jon Kabat-Zinn author of The Mindful Way
Are you tired of your busy mind dragging you into anxiety and depression? Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to what is happening in the present moment – in the mind, body and surroundings – in a nonjudgmental, genuinely curious way. Group members will learn to identify the mind states and patterns of thinking that contribute to their anxiety and depression. We will learn about ways we sometimes escape the present moment, such as thinking about the future, ruminating over the past, judging, or creating story lines around the external conditions of life. A variety of mindfulness techniques will be introduced so that members can discover ways to change the patterns of thinking that contribute to their personal distress.
Research has shown that the majority of those who complete a Mindfulness Meditation course report:
- an enhanced ability to cope with short and long term stressful situations
- reduced levels of anxiety, panic and depression
- a greater ability to relax
- increased self-esteem and sense of well-being
This group will present a non-medicinal, mindfulness meditation-based approach to reducing anxiety that can be used safely with or without medication. The eight-week program will draw extensively from the program designed by Drs Segal and Teasdale as outlined in their book The Mindful Way as well as drawing on the work of Thomas Roberts in his book The Mindfulness Workbook – a beginners guide to overcoming fear and embracing compassion.
Participants will be taught Mindfulness Mediation and be guided through a program of meditative self-explorations. Participants will be asked to engage in a daily meditation practice to receive the full benefits of the program.