DOWNLOAD MY CLASSNOTES IN PDF:PP 14 Mindfulness
What is mindfulness? In popular understanding mindfulness is often referred to as “emptying of the mind.” An absolute emptying of the mind may not be possible straightaway, therefore, techniques such as awareness of breathing and body sensation are used as anchors to relax the body while keeping the mind attentive. In the words of a report from the UK-based Mental Health Foundation, “Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to the present moment by using meditation, yoga and breathing techniques. It involves consciously bringing awareness to our thoughts and feelings, without making judgments…” (MHF, 2010, p. 12). Shapiro (2009, p.556) defines mindfulness as “the awareness that arises through intentionally attending in an open, accepting, and discerning way to whatever is arising in the present moment.” Mindful awareness is the outcome of intentional attending (Shapiro & Carlson, 2009). The other common definition is from Jon […]
Mindfulness
Mindful Journaling
Journaling as a psycho-spiritual exercise – Guidelines
Quieten yourself.
Spend a few moments breathing in and out.
As you breathe out, relax the different parts of your body.
Get in touch with your thoughts and feelings at this moment.
When you are ready, begin to write your thoughts and feelings down.
If you find it difficult to begin somewhere, just begin by describing the events of the day or the past few hours.
What people have you met?
What events have you witnessed?
What touched you most during the day?
Were there insights that cropped up in your mind during the day?
How were your quiet moments, including the contemplative practice?
Generally, were you serene and centred (focussed) during the day?
(You might want to follow a particular style of journaling from among the different approaches described in Appendix B).
Consider your diary as a faithful listener and companion.
Consider your diary as a safe space where you can be yourself.
Consider your diary as the […]
Strengths Based Journaling
STRENGTHS BASED JOURNALING
Wisdom
Try to answer the following questions as you write your diary for the day: were there statements that you heard or read from others that rang a bell for you? Were there certain insights deep within you that made some special sense for you?
If there were some difficulties or unpleasant experiences during the course of the last few hours, ask yourself now: how are these experiences challenging your own beliefs about your self, God, world, and other persons? Was there in these experiences any particular insight about the meaning of life for you? Gently and calmly write these lessons down. If you so wish, you could end up writing a poem or a verse.
If you have longer time you could try to answer these questions in writing: how would you want your life to be narrated to your grandchildren. Write a summary of your life. A few days […]
Christian Mindfulness Training
Nairobi, 23 April 2011
This was first of the training that I offered on Christian mindfulness training. It is an outflow from my ongoing PhD project; however, this one day workshop was not part of my research. This training is now becoming one of my passions, as I also integrate elements of this package in other trainings and retreats.
Here is the outline of the contents of the training:
1. ‘Jesus Prayer’ (an ancient Christian Contemplative Practice) in 7 steps, with the help of the Audio CD that I have recently prepared. Click here for more details on the CD.
2. How to journal – as a means to deal with one’s emotions and to grow spiritually.
3. A Labyrinth Walk through a prayer garden at DBYES, Nairobi, getting in touch with oneself, God, and others.
The Holy Saturday training had 29 participants, most […]