Mindfulness and meditation practice helps you to accept things as they are. It won’t make your frustration, stress, anxiety, regrets, or even thoughts go away (see video below), but it will teach you how to let go of those feelings and thoughts and not let them affect you so much. It's not about trying to do something – simple awareness and acceptance are the key. It will help you find the stillness and present moment awareness so that you can fully experience the vibrancy of life right now.
When your intention is directed accordingly, meditation and mindfulness practices can also offer the opportunity to deeply explore the reality of life, to find out how things really are. This is a knowledge available to everybody, regardless of background, religion, or age, and involves investigating the meanings of impermanence, non-attachment, and the self. See here for my blog article on the origins of modern-day mindfulness http://outerinneruniverse.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/the-origins-of-modern-day-secular.html 8-week courses
I offer 8-week courses in mindfulness and meditation. See here for more info and upcoming dates. Retreat/practice days I also offer mindfulness retreat days. See here for more info. Regular classes And regular mindfulness meditation classes and drop-in sessions. See here for more info. My classes, courses and retreats all draw strongly on the centuries-old Zen tradition but are not religious. They don't require for you to be anything but inquisitive and interested in finding out how doing nothing, not trying, and relaxing into the moment can work such wonders for your whole being! If you have any questions, maybe I've answered them on my Mindfulness FAQs page. Places are limited, so please book as early as possible to ensure your place. One of the common misconceptions about meditation is that it’s all about clearing your thoughts. In mindfulness meditation, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In this clip, I talk about a nice analogy for how we deal with thoughts in meditation. Video courtesy of the Evolve Centre, South Kensington.
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What people are saying: ![]()
"The course was excellent. Inspiring, reassuring, reaffirming. Made me realise this is exactly what I need, and that it's fundamental principles are in line with my own core values an beliefs.
Mark is a great teacher, very calm, humorous, patient, and enthusiastic"
"The tuition was good, direct, practical, and informal."
"We were given a lot of information and handouts and there was good discussion. I am both excited and a little nervous about continuing the practice alone, but I'm going to be mindful about this and take it one day at a time."
"It was a great mix of theory and practice. A light touch with the more spiritual aspects. Not formal, not intimidating – calm and fun!"
"Before the course I was lacking confidence, with a very weak immune system; highly stressed and unhappy in a lot of aspects of my life. Since doing Mark's course I have grown in my confidence, my memory, my understanding of myself - leading to an inner calm. I have become more patient and able to take a step back and not be anxious at work. I am enjoying being me."
"Great! Intelligent, thorough, but very human."
"I liked the fact that the emphasis was on scientific theory underpinning it all... I definitely think I will return to mindfulness in the future."
"Mark is a really good teacher, I never felt as through I didn't understand a concept. I really liked the use fo scientific studies and thought the combination of Mark's scientific background and Zen Buddhist was really useful and interesting"
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