Mindfulness

[Raven]

I use mindfulness as part of my recovery from anxiety and depression I attended MBSR mindfulness based stress reduction and found that coupled with medication it was extremely helpful. I use it in my everyday life and recommend it wholeheartedly. I have gone on to study mindfulness teaching for youth and can't wait to begin teaching its benefits to children. I wish I'd found it years ago!

[kristin]

Hey @Raven 

That sound fantastic! I wish I could find somewhere my 6yo could learn mindfulness, she suffers from anxiety.

I would try to teach her myself but when I tried just reading about techniques for children a couple of years ago it triggered a full-on flashback to when I was abused as a 5yo. Thankfully I realised it was a flashback and remembered enough of the flashback protocol and mindfulness techniques to remain aware of the present but it was like being in an emotional tidal wave - the waves kept coming every time I got my head above water. It took about 2 hours before I even remembered that I have children in the present. That is what got me home - they need me.

Keep up the great work!

Kind regards, 

Kristin

[Alessandra1992]

@Raven, that's great to hear mindfulness works for you, and has inspired you to study so you can teach it to others! That must be really rewarding to know you can teach others a great skill..

[Tay]

I love mindfulness. But at the same time it takes time. It is something you have to work at. I've found when I say the word - mindfulness - people ask ohhh meditation/relaxation etc. No.

The term Mindfulness should explain it all - I just say to people it's about being 'mindful' or basically aware of what is happening right now - in this moment. It's about learning to let go of not only yesterday but something that may have happened an hour ago - it's the past - you can't change it.

Tomorrow is something we all worry about - but when you can yourself into that mindset that it's out of your control it's freeing yourself from something - once again - you can't control.

My husband, during bad times brings up his past abuse from priests - I have to restrain because obviously it's something he needs to talk about but it was 50 years ago. I have suggested to him don't let your past rule your future.

Christmas has always been a bad time for him - no good memories - but the one just past he decorated the whole christmas tree and had a wonderful christmas. I praised, hugged him etc but then asked him why now? He said you never gave me a chance before. I had been protecting him, inadvertantly, from experiencing or having to be involved in something that he only had bad memories of.

Anyway, that's getting off the topic but a big yes to mindfulness. I am going to make myself a coffee and enjoy the aroma, warmth and feeling it gives me

[Claired]

Hi, I've heard the problem described as "monkey brain" by a neurologist - am familiar with it. Mindfulness works when monkey brain hits you and you find yourself anxious, stressed, critical etc. Not only does mindfulness appear to help a majority of the respondents at this forum it also has scientific eveidence to suggest that it changes the grey matter in the brain. It has been observed to trigger the Amygdala which regulates flight or flight response

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@Crystal wrote:

Hi Kristen,

Yes I am aware of mindfulness and whenever I get a prompt or a reminder (like your post) I am reminded of useful it is for me.  What I find difficult is for it to be a habit in my routine rather than something I rember every now and then.

It is an important strategy for me to quieten the loud negative monkey chatter - that is to acknowledge they are there withoutletting them take prominance, taking time to be in the moment, breath - kind of a simplified meditation I guess ........ (visualising the monkeys with socks in their month also helps but I do not think that is part of the mindfulness strategy)

A friend lent me a book once that had a CD included but sorry I can not remember the name of it

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[Claired]

If you're interested check out this blog
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12793/how-meditation-changes-your-brain-a-neuroscientist-explains.htm...

[kristin]

Thanks for sharing that @Claired it was indeed interesting. 

I also found this one today - which is particularly of interest to me as a survivor of childhood abuse and neglect. I had the rather surreal feeling of reading a scientific study conclusion which (briefly) encapsulates my own life experience.

Kind regards,

Kristin

[Claired]

Awesome article. Actually I'm organising a workshop on trauma, effects on brain and experiential issues explained. I've got an awesome facilitator from Heal for Life. They also do healing retreats for survivors of abuse http://healforlife.com.au/. Maybe you will meet someone who needs it one day.

Do you agree we all have childhood issues to heal from, not just "survivors"?

Also. I love the way you've linked the article you shared Kristin. Its linked to a single word (this). Is that easy to do?

[Appleblossom]

I was not aware of the new therapy fashion of mindfulness til I joined this site 3 weeks ago.  As my interest in mindfulness, meditation and Buddhism came from me being on the fringes of society in the 70s, though not quite hippy.  I found it sad and amusing how it has become mainstream now and a prescription by MH services. My mother though mediation and counsellors were a sign of my being a bad or disloyal person.

Somehow I am usually on the side that gets "talked down to"

Dont get me wrong I have found mindfulness beneficial, and worked on staying tuned into my natural environment. Church-goers thought of it as being in touch with God's Grandeur.

I feel like I have been forced to do many interpretive and spiritual dances; understanding christianity, sifting through hinduism or buddhism to distill the goodness. but not be forced to take on a whole platform of beliefs that evolved in an exotic culture.

I am also smarting a bit with the feeling that I am a bit like my father ..an uncle said he was ahead of his time .. another said he was sad cause he missed the boat. Wish someone was on my life who saw simialr things to me at the same time.  I just have to keep being hopeful.

[Claired]

I think its great that you have carried mindfulness with you for so long. You must be a powerhouse of knowledge about the spiritual side