Finding Peace
course information

What will you learn?

Finding Peace in a Frantic World  is an 8 -week skills-based course rather than group therapy. The sessions are shorter than the MBCT-L course at 90 minutes in each session, with shorter recommended home practice meditations.

What you will learn?

• How to ‘stabilise attention’: to recognise mind-wandering and ‘autopilot’, and how to bring the attention back to where we want it to be – with interest, patience, and care.

• Learning more about two different ways of being (through direct experience) and knowing: (through thinking).

• Understanding more about how the mind creates meaning.

• Learning to recognise our patterns of reactivity and how trying to get rid of distress may actually keep us stuck.

• Bringing a sense of care and kindness to ourselves in those moments of distress and reactivity.

• Using mindfulness to respond skilfully, in contrast to reacting – in ways that support the wellbeing of ourselves and of others around us.

• To ‘step back’ a little from our direct experience so that we can see it more clearly, and so choose a kinder response.

• Building what we have learnt into our everyday lives.

 

What happens during sessions?

Each session builds upon the skills and understanding developed in previous sessions so it’s important to attend all the sessions, if possible.

Each session includes guided and structured meditation practices and space for discussion about your experiences and any learnings. There will also be time to review the previous week’s home practice.

To support your learning, you’ll also be set practices to do between the sessions, including both recommended guided practices and also ways to cultivate new habits of mindfulness in everyday life.

You’ll have access to audio guided practices and written material.

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What does home practice involve?

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Jackie will provide recordings for the main meditation practices and ask you to practice up to 20 minutes each day. You may need to have a think about how you will fit this into your life. It might be helpful to talk with family or friends about what is involved. If you find this difficult, experiment with practising at different times of the day, and remember to keep an open mind as best you can. You may notice that your experience changes from day to day or week to week. Jackie is available to discuss any difficulties you are having with home practice.

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Who are the teachers?

Jackie holds the Oxford Mindfulness Centre’s Certificate of Competence to Teach MBCT-L and is listed on the British Association of Mindfulness Based Approaches (BAMBA). This means that she meets the UK Good Practice Guidelines for Mindfulness-Based Teachers; i.e., she is suitably trained, committed to continuous professional development, holds appropriate insurance and is receiving supervision for her teaching.

 

What are the challenges?

• At first, practising meditation may feel strange or unfamiliar. As best you can, keep an open mind.

• It is not obvious at the outset which practices will be most helpful and you may not see benefits immediately. Practise gentle persistence, and remember that people respond differently.

• The amount of practice can feel daunting. However, consistent practice may increase the likelihood of benefitting from the course.

• Some people feel apprehensive about being in a group. However, learning from others and seeing that you are not alone can be very beneficial.

• You may face emotional issues that you would prefer to avoid. Difficulties that arise can be informative and the course will teach you skilful ways of responding to them.

• You may find yourself wanting to give up at times. This is common. Please speak to Jackie about any issues that are making things difficult for you.

 

Practicalities

• Try to attend every session, as they build on each other. Let the teacher know if you have to miss a session. Jackie will help you catch up with what you’ve missed.

• If you miss a session, it may feel difficult to come back. Come anyway!

• Wear comfortable clothes and dress in layers. Sessions may include sitting meditation, lying on the floor (if you choose), simple stretches, and gentle walking.

• Yoga mats to lie on and blankets might be helpful for some of the meditations

 

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