Mindfulness Meditation has a strong evidence-base in the treatment of depression relapse and other issues surrounding anxiety, stress and depression. I hope the answers to these questions will help you to decide to try out mindfulness for yourself.
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Do I have to be religious in order to take part? No. Mindfulness is a completely secular activity despite having its origins in Buddhism. Of course, each person will bring their own belief system with them and that's fine. Mindfulness works whether you have a belief system or not. |
- photo courtesy of artur84 - freedigitalphotos.net
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Do
I have to try and stop thinking?
No. That would be a pretty tall order. Mindfulness techniques work by recognising thoughts for what they are - just thoughts. We all have them. And it's extremely difficult to stop them. Thoughts come and thoughts go. They are transient. In mindfulness we train ourselves to be 'the observer' of our own thought patterns. We acknowledge them and then let them go. In so-doing, a natural extension of this process is that our thoughts become calmer.
Do you have to sit still?
No. You're perfectly free to move. However, the process is very relaxing and it is usual for participants to become naturally still and calm.
Will there be gongs and chimes?
Not usually. Although often participants find that the use of these can deepen the relaxation further.
Will I have to close my eyes?
Most people find it easier if their eyes are closed. However, there really is no right or wrong way to be mindful. We can be mindful while walking or eating a meal. It's really about training our thought processes.
No. That would be a pretty tall order. Mindfulness techniques work by recognising thoughts for what they are - just thoughts. We all have them. And it's extremely difficult to stop them. Thoughts come and thoughts go. They are transient. In mindfulness we train ourselves to be 'the observer' of our own thought patterns. We acknowledge them and then let them go. In so-doing, a natural extension of this process is that our thoughts become calmer.
Do you have to sit still?
No. You're perfectly free to move. However, the process is very relaxing and it is usual for participants to become naturally still and calm.
Will there be gongs and chimes?
Not usually. Although often participants find that the use of these can deepen the relaxation further.
Will I have to close my eyes?
Most people find it easier if their eyes are closed. However, there really is no right or wrong way to be mindful. We can be mindful while walking or eating a meal. It's really about training our thought processes.