Often misinterpreted for clearing the mind or relaxing, mindfulness involves nonjudgment, curiosity, and intentional focus of attention. As a result of increased attentional control, reduction in unhelpful evaluation, and blood flow changes in the brain, regular practitioners often report an increase in feelings of calm, contentment, clarity, and productive focus. If the thought “I’m not good at mindfulness meditation” rises, we encourage you to greet that judgment with curiosity and when you’re ready, gently bring your focus back to the breath or body part where you were anchoring attention. Repeat this practice for the duration of the exercise.
Mindfulness Based Therapies are based on age old techniques that have been used across the globe and have been combined with CBT and scientifically studied. As a compliment to CBT, mindfulness training enhances awareness of feelings, thoughts, and behaviors as they occur, while emphasizing acceptance of individual experiences.
Mindfulness has been described as “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn, 1994, p.4). Because much of life stress stems from worrying about past or future events, present focused training is a powerful method by which to handle discomfort caused by unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Mindfulness based therapy is the primary pain management treatment at the center, although it is also used for problems varying from work stress to extreme worry. The center’s mindfulness based treatments include techniques such as mindfulness based meditation and brief daily mindfulness exercises that are incorporated into daily living.
Goals of Mindfulness Training:
1) Gain attentional control and discontinue living “automatically”. Increase your ability to shift attention, rather than allowing emotion to determine your focus.
2) Cultivate a nonjudgmental and more objective perspective of emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations. You as a whole are much more than thoughts and emotions.
3) Increase ability to live in the present rather than focusing on the past or the future. Live life to the fullest by focusing attention on current experiences in the here and now.