As August approaches marking the completion of our 1-Year Mindfulness for Life Course, I’m taking a moment to reflect. This monthly group facilitated on the first Thursday of the month — has developed into an incredibly significant experience for members of the group and for me as the facilitator… practitioner and researcher.
This is the first year-long programme HABITS has delivered, which was developed in direct response to feedback from participants who attended our previous 6- and 10-week Mindfulness Programmes. The common theme expressed was a desire for more time, more depth and more space to explore Mindfulness – its theory and practices – particularly the Foundational Attitudes. And so the 1-Year Course was born – Exploring the 12 Foundational Attitudes of Mindfulness (FAM).
With a clear focus on a different attitude each month… the opportunity to explore the connection and relationship with the other FAMs was also encouraged – through sharing lived experiences and the varying roles the FAMs play, expressing reflection and understanding of what was shared and engaging in Mindful practices to develop and enhance the embodiment of these empowering attitudes. With a psychotherapeutic-based approach, the space is opened to observing what is present in the moment, whilst offering exploration of past experiences that are still impacting and challenging members of the group today.
This course also gave room to the introduction of new elements, such as sound bowl practice and brief mindfulness techniques not presented in previous programmes that the participants had attended. They also received an exclusive course booklet specially designed and created by me which includes a course commentary, brief outline of each of the 12 FAMs and stimulating images of the brain and the limbic system illustrating their inextricable connection to the neural system. The booklet also features 12 blank note pages corresponding to each of the 12 sessions and the attitude of focus for each given session offering opportunity for reflexive accounting, for journalling thoughts, personal insights and shared experiences relevant to the journey of healing and growth towards achieving the goal of becoming their best self.
As a pilot programme in support of my PhD research project, the response has been honouring and heartfelt. The sessions have been consistently well-attended, deeply engaging and described by all as “unique” “profound” “enriching” and “transformative.” The journey with these precious participants has been phenomenal… the burning question from all: “Where to next?”
I embrace any opportunity to build on what we’ve learned together and to create more supportive spaces to give opportunity for others to heal and grow… through the practice and transformative power of mindful awareness of self, others and the immediate world… and from the sense of community and connection gained from shared experiences and a common goal.