What is Mindfulness...Why Explore?

PictureSunday Morning MBSR with Dr Nicki Martin @ Luísne Centre for Well-Being

​Mindfulness : The Uncharted Terrain 
Harsh things Happen...yet in that stark space Mindfulness can help~ shaping ways to work honestly & creatively with change & loss. Scientific Evidence is clear (Bonanno, 2019;Penman 2015; Fredrickson et al., 2008) Mindfulness helps build Inner resources & Resiliency. How? The concept of identity is closely aligned with our inner thought & perceptions- At times our 'Inner Critic' (mind) can stifle & overpower, draining our physical & mental resources as the mind baits - 'that is outside your reach, you are not able to, this is what you deserve, don't even try!' This mind baiting can paralyze & take the power of choice away! It also depletes our reserves of energy, sadly feeding anxiety and stress and can lead to poor health or burnout. YET This same Mind  can also empower & guide us towards inner resiliency & redirect our energy to nurturing & boosting overall Positive health & wellbeing.

Mindfulness is a practice not unlike Music: It is not a cult following or religion. This means it takes discipline to bring it into your daily life!
It is also not a plethora of quick fix solutions for issues impacting  mental health but it can offer insight - How? Through practice Mindfulness helps us to notice a particular 'spacious awareness' that arises through paying attention- on purpose in the present, non -judgmentally. As you move steadily through the various Practices you begin to perceive the minds affinity for 'incessant commentary' on experience (the good, the bad & the neutral) that in actuality is often not based on factual evidence or remotely objective! The mind's tendency to form habits(short-cut routines to quickly by pass onto the next situation)can 'at times mislead' - coaxing us to overlook even disregard the phenomena that not all thoughts are facts! Unchecked - This impacts our behaviours & we can act reactively (& this  can lead to regret). Pause rather than action may be the more responsive choice? In essence, Mindfulness is  creating a 'compassionate space' that invites you to decide wisely & choose your informed response. Awareness Cultivated is time well spent! 

How & what do I know? I am Nicki, a dedicated Educator,  Psychologist, Founding Principal & Mindfulness practitioner involved in Resilience & Widowed Young research. As a Doctor of Education I fully acknowledge it is the 'lived experience'  that most vibrantly informs my research & leads me to share my story.  ​

​The term MINDFULNESS is too often mystified & elevated as an elusive practice. Whereas in reality Mindfulness is often a key ingredient of daily life coping. Its elements simply hidden in plain sight...call it resiliency, time or natures healing power, attentive awareness, neurological plasticity, psychological flexibility or growth mindset in times of upheaval, trauma & hardship or simply name it unflinching hope- At its heart Mindfulness is an 'Uncharted Inner Terrain Adventure'  tailored uniquely by & for you ...awaiting to be explored. 
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Beyond merely thought-based knowledge- the awareness that arises by paying attention on purpose, in the present moment non-judgmentally...
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Science of Health: Neuro-Plasticity & Mindfulness. .(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6088366/)
Mindfulness is ubiquitous - ever present it can be cultivated whenever & wherever you are by intentional placing your undivided attention to the present without trying to control or change it. Not an easy ask! It seems almost like a contradiction- our brains are wired for  activity... Right?  this is why Mindfulness is a Practice- Not a Religion, not a quick fix but a gateway... 
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www.facebook.com/mindfulnesswise/
Starting Points- The Journey begins with little changes. Change is challenging-The payback for cultivating attentive awareness is Golden.
 TRY ONE A DAY-
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 Why is it so easy to fall into a state of tension, anxiety & perpetual distraction?
​ ​Our default mode of operating @ autopilot- Take heart, as Habits are often beneficial & helpful- they are indeed 'Super Powered Cognitive time-savers!' However, left unchecked Habits can inform "unhealthy & unhelpful daily choices!" A way to work with & take notice of this default mode is to practice Mindfulness. Why? The discipline invites you to notice the workings of the mind- (wandering), Not asking you to stop/change it but the 'Attentive Awareness' that it happens is powerful.- You decide what to do with that knowledge?  
https://soundcloud.com/user-83990243 soundcloud.com/user-83990243
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​Why create this little site? I have first-hand experience of how helpful Mindfulness can be in ones life ~especially in times of Trauma, Bereavement & Loss (thewidowedword.wordpress.com/), I wish I could offer MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) regularly to Adults but my role as Principal at present takes up most of my time. So, until I can once again engage in face to face MBSR, I hope this site will prove useful to those who simply are a little curious or simply want to explore!  For those ready to consider Mindfulness Practices or MBSR I do recommend attending a person to person setting (as there can be risks as well as benefits involved- the positive impact of MBSR rests in the group connection- it is the Human Sharing Dynamic that underscores the compassion & effectiveness of MBSR). In the interim, I've created a 'Free Resources'  page that gives you a little flavour of MBSR & allows you to journey at your own pace through a typical 8week programme. Enjoy,