I begin with an appreciation of Jon Kabat-Zinn for envisioning Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, a programme addressing stress in our lives. We have all, at some point in our lives, heard of or even suffered from somatic pain and other difficulties. Mindfulness invites us to pause, to notice these experiences and how we meet them.​

8-week program

MBSR is an eight-week programme targeting our stress and our reactions to it. As we explore our thought processes, feelings and emotions, we learn to recognise our reactions when we are on alert. We begin by noticing how our nervous system responds to the all-too- familiar stressful situations and circumstances in our lives.

The connection between body and mind

This course is built around recognising the connection between body and mind.

Through mindful movement and insight meditation, we discover new ways of observing thoughts and emotions, and how they relate to our nervous system’s reactions. Rather than rushing to analyse everything, we allow ourselves a moment to pause and notice what is here.

Practice

Through practice, we learn to recognise our bodily and emotional reactions. As we begin to see more clearly, we discover the gap between reaction and response—a space to pause, to bring awareness to what we are feeling, and to make more thoughtful, mindful choices.

Through this act of awareness, we practise meeting ourselves with less judgement, cultivating non-striving, letting go and acceptance. We make room for gratitude, curiosity, a beginner’s mind and generosity. Nurturing compassion and kindness, we continue cultivating our practice of mindfulness through week eight and beyond, allowing it to unfold one moment at a time.