Introduction
In this session, we will experience several distinct yet related practices — simple mindful movement, sitting meditation, and walking meditation. There will also be a chance to share your experiences with the home practices if you wish: what were the challenges and insights you have noticed in beginning to integrate Mindfulness into your daily life.
Theme – The pleasure and power of being present
Attending to and cultivating a deliberate curiosity about the way things are in the body and in the mind at this present moment allows us to bring conscious awareness to the interplay between mind and body.
Directing our attention in this way allows us to notice more acutely how we think; how we feel, and even how we think about how we feel! Particularly this week, we will explore the pleasant moments we have noticed, but also the fact that we have ‘labelled’ them as pleasant, and what that means for us.
Informal Practice
The informal practice this week is about becoming aware of how we experience and process unpleasant events. Again, they don’t need to be major things, just something you notice you have labelled as unpleasant.
Just as we did last week, take a few minutes during the day to complete the informal practice log to record your unpleasant experience.
Formal practice this week
Our formal practice this week is to alternate practising the Body Scan with the mindful movement we have learned. In find 3 short times (15 minutes) this week to practice a short sitting meditation focusing your awareness on breathing.
Resources
How to make a meditation stool or bench
How to sit for meditation (external link)