Responding skillfully - Episode 6

Mindfulness not only helps us to pause and recognise moments of reactivity, as we explored together in the previous episode, It opens up ways of being to help us respond skillfully. One of the ways it helps us do this is by becoming an objective observer of our experience. Rather than being lost in thought, washed away by a wave of strong emotion, or simply compelled by our human urges to grasp after what we want and push away what we don't want, mindful awareness helps us to be more conscious of our experience and urges to act. In this way opening up the possibility to respond more skillfully in any given moment.

In today’s episode we share a 30 minute Sitting Practice - this is a rich meditation that can form the core of our ongoing mindfulness practice. You may notice that, even listening to the same guidance day after day, no two practices will be the same. Just like the clouds in the sky, our experience is always shifting and reforming. And just like the skyscape, no matter what the weather pattern – whether the clouds are light and fluffy or dense and grey - the blue sky is always there, waiting behind when the clouds momentarily clear. This could be described as the very essence of mindfulness. In the words of mindfulness teacher Pema Chödrön “You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.” You are warmly invited to explore this for yourself by joining us in episode 6 of mindful well-being.

Time Stamps:

(00:00) introduction

(09:15) 30 minute sitting practice

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Just a quick disclaimer:

This podcast is intended as an ongoing support resource to anyone who has attended an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction or Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy course or similar.

It may also serve as an introduction or a resource to support the continuation of a budding meditation practice.

However, we believe that there is no replacement for attending a live 8-week group which offers the alchemy of group learning alongside the real-time support of a qualified teacher.

If you would like to practice mindfulness with me, you can find out more about me and the courses I offer at the Realise website below.

And remember any information you hear on this podcast, see on the Realise Mindfulness website, Facebook page, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube or SoundCloud is for information purposes only and should never be a substitute for actual mental and/or medical advice from a doctor, psychiatrist or any other health professional.