Brief synopsis of presentation on the benefits of mindfulness to the Chronic Pain Support group by Bill Bankes-Jones 26th July 2013
Mindfulness is difficult to define well, paying attention, with intention; that intention to being, to see things as they are, so that we can make wise choices, and find the greatest benefit for all, from the situation that we are in, in the moment.
Mindfulness is a state of awareness that enables us to make better choices about how we respond to our experiences even in difficult circumstances.
There is good information to show that it can help us to find more ease in difficult situations; like chronic pain.
The availability of courses to increase our skill in this area is slowly increasing. There is much information on the internet.
This is one of the organisations that run courses: - http://www.breathworks-mindfulness.org.uk/ if you search for mindfulness, you will find many others.
Commonly people learn on an 8 week course. That is, attending one group 2 hour session a week, and completing daily home work. There is evidence to show that this is effective, enough for NICE to recommend its use to prevent recurrent episodes of depression.
Courses are now also run on line.
Many books have been published that can be helpful. Several available from libraries.
Personally, I am certain that the development of some mindfulness skill, has increasingly taken me away from being a victim of life, and moved me towards 'the path of peace', in every moment of life, as it unfolds.
Breathworks was formed by Vidyamala Burch after she sustained a severe spinal injury at sixteen and teaches
people to live well with pain and illness, reduce stress in their lives and teach mindfulness to others.
The Breathworks approach to mindfulness is based on accepting our experiences of pain, illness or strength and not reacting to it. With mindfulness we can clearly perceive thoughts, physical sensations, emotions and events at the moment they occur without reacting in an automatic or habitual.
By developing a new relationship with the condition we find ourselves in, we begin to respond creatively. Experiences don’t overwhem us and we can remain steady through life’s ups and downs.
As promised for those who were interested after Bill’s talk on Mindfulness/Breathworks, the book Linda was talking about is: Mindfulness – A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World by Mark Williams and Danny Penman. RRP £13.99 paperback book. Offers can be found on the internet at Waterstones and Amazon.