In Person Course – Chyan Cultural Centre, Penryn
Monday mornings: 10.30-12.30pm
Dates: September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7,14,21
Silent day retreat: Sunday October 6th
Course Cost: £200 supporter, £180 standard, £160 concessions
Bursary scheme also available – please enquire stephiej7@gmail.com

The course will run in person and you will receive session handouts each week as well as the audio practices. The group will be a maximum of 16 people. If you know before starting the course you cannot attend 2 or more sessions, then it is better to wait and attend a course in the future.

To apply to join the course, please complete an application form and return to: stephiej7@gmail.com

Mindfulness for Life ( Mindfulness based Cognitive Therapy for Life: MBCT-L) offers the possibility of flourishing and growth as well as working with distress and difficulty in life. In this eight session course, we are recognising that we can cultivate flowers or weeds simply by how we use our attention. It’s not just mindfulness for difficulties but mindfulness for life.

Mindfulness for Life is an in-depth programme created by the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation for anyone looking to change the way they relate to their life through a combination of mindfulness practices and cognitive- behavioural techniques. The eight-session programme serves as a guide in the application of key learning to everyday life, not just to manage the difficulties of life but also in the cultivation of joy, compassion, wisdom and equanimity. Mindfulness has been defined by Jon Kabat-Zinn as:

• paying attention in a particular way

• on purpose, in the present moment, and

• non-judgmentally

Since so much of our lives are spent remembering the past or thinking
about the future, learning to be more present can be challenging and yet
rewarding.

Here is a 5min presentation about the curriculum by Professor Willem
Kuyken.

Some things to consider

Mindfulness practice will teach you how to be more aware and present in each moment with whatever arises. Sometimes this involves facing difficulty or unpleasant events, as they arise in the present. In MBCT-L, we cultivate attitudes of curiosity, non-judging and kindness, recognising that often turning towards difficulty can reduce dissatisfaction and unhappiness. Developing your ability to see unpleasant events as they arise will create a space for you to deal with them before they become
more intense or take over your nervous system.

All guided practices are offered as a choice and nothing is obligatory, we emphasis self-care and staying within our window of tolerance as well as recognising that many of us have traumas that we may not even be aware of ourselves until take a programme like this.

The programme includes:

• Guided instruction in mindfulness meditation

• Gentle stretching and movement, some of which may be done on
  the floor

• Group dialogue and discussions aimed at enhancing awareness in
  everyday life

• Daily home assignments
  

  MBCT-L is not psychotherapy despite the many therapeutic effects of this practice. It is important to differentiate between the two and have realistic expectations. Some mindfulness exercises may not be ideal for those who are dealing with a psychiatric disorder, particularly if it is in an acute phase. If you are in psychiatric treatment or therapy, please consult with your doctor or therapist to know if their support is needed or if this program is right for you at this time, ideally before committing yourself. We would also request that you begin with an intention to honour the confidentiality of all participants and course content and will ask you to continue with this throughout.

Commitment
Mindfulness is essentially a practice, so it will require some commitment
on your behalf. You will be asked to show up, practice on your own from
week to week (from 20minutes up to 40 minutes per day for best results)
and engage with some simple assignments. It is completely
understandable how difficult it is to carve out time to add yet another
thing to a busy life. However, the commitment to practice is essential to
the programme.

Dr Stephanie Jackson
Stephanie has been meditating for over 20 years alongside practising and teaching yoga. In
2012, she began training at Bangor University to teach Mindfulness and gained a Masters in
Mindful Based Approaches. Her research has explored how mindfulness practice affects
self-care decisions made by Healthcare Professionals.
She has been offering both Mindfulness training to Healthcare Professionals alongside
community-based classes since 2014. She also works as a GP in the NHS and as a GP
Educator for Health Education England. She is a member of the British Association of
Mindfulness -based Approaches.