What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is an ancient practice of meditation that comes from the Buddhist tradition. Although it can be applied by people of any and no faith.

 Put simply, mindfulness is the practice of paying attention, on purpose, and with open-hearted curiosity, to the present moment – to what is happening in your body, your mind and in the world around you.  Practically it involves doing some training exercises (mindfulness meditation) each day and then applying what you learn from this, to your everyday challenges.

 Cultivating this ability to observe, without reactivity, can help us to respond to our experiences with clarity and focus, rather than reacting out of old habits and patterns. We also get some space, time and capacity to listen to ourselves and pay attention to the big picture of what we are creating in life and whether this is in line with our values.

This gives us good information about how to choose what is most nourishing for ourselves and others – in everyday moments but also with big decisions.

Would you like to find out more about mindfulness? Watch this short video, and have a go at your own simple, short mindfulness practice, led by Timothea Goddard.

How can mindfulness help?

One of the things that mindfulness is known for is learning to be in the present moment. But every moment is full of thoughts! Is this a problem? What are these thoughts about? Many of us spend a lot of our thinking on the past, or the future. Can mindfulness really help us to live more in the present, and shift out of our automatic patterns of thinking? Find out more in this short video from Tim.

How does mindfulness affect the nervous system?

One of the most basic and important ways that mindfulness meditation practice helps people is by regulating the nervous system. In this video, Tim explains the difference between our sympathetic nervous system (which controls activity, mobilisation, and our fight/flight/freeze response) and the parasympathetic nervous system (rest, recuperation, sleep), and how a mindfulness practice can help us move to a place of greater rest and calm.

How does mindfulness differ from mindfulness meditation?

Mindfulness is everywhere these days. Sometimes trying to understand the different kinds of mindfulness, and decide which is right for you can be confusing. One area of misunderstanding is the difference between mindfulness and mindfulness meditation. Simply put, mindfulness is a way of paying attention in a particular way, whereas mindfulness meditation is the training ground, where we can practice our mindfulness skill so we can apply it in our daily lives. Check out this video from Tim to find out more.

Are there situations where mindfulness is contra-indicated?

The ability to pay attention is central to the practice of mindfulness, so what happens if you’re not able to pay attention – if you’re taking medication, or are impacted by substance use or serious mental illness? Often, in the hands of a skillful teacher, mindfulness can still be adapted and used for people with all kinds of challenges. Tim explains how in this video…

How can allied health professionals use mindfulness for self-care?

Health care can be a highly stressful and demanding profession. Health professionals are often exposed to high levels of suffering, and this can have a profound effect on wellbeing. Training in an in-depth, evidence-based mindfulness practice can help health professionals to take better care of themselves, so they can continue to help others. Tim explains why longer mindfulness programs can be especially beneficial for people working in this challenging and important sector.

Seven shenanigans in the world of mindfulness

In this video, Tim talks to health professionals about the ‘shenanigans’ of mindfulness – seven issues to be aware of as a mindfulness teacher or practitioner. Take some time to watch this longer video (22 minutes) for a more in-depth discussion.