Team member Philippa Bassett shares her recent experience of the Mindfulness and Meditation Training for Teaching course and how mindfulness is helping her to navigate these challenging times.
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As part of the team at The Forest Bathing Institute, I have obviously attended several forest bathing walks over the last year or so. During the 3-hour gentle meander into the ancient woodland areas, I have very much enjoyed the feeling of being connected with the forest and more fully appreciating the natural environment, with its habitat, bird song and amazing fauna and flora. Indeed, I have found taking time out to do forest bathing has left me feeling very relaxed, tired and reflective, yet also energised, creative and inspired!
So, when I was asked if I would like to attend The Forest Bathing Institute’s Mindfulness and Meditation Training for Teaching, 3-day programme, a prelude to training with the Institute to become a Forest Bathing Guide, I thought to myself, hey why not? Hopefully, I thought, I’d learn some little pearls of wisdom that might help me to stay calm and centred through the challenges of daily life.
Personally, I have never attended a formal training programme on how to be ‘mindful’ and to ‘meditate’. In fact, over the years, I have found it very difficult to switch off my chattering mind, which buzzes around constantly, hopping from one random thought to another. So when I explored the course in more depth, and thought, well, if I feel so relaxed post forest bathing, perhaps if I can learn some mindfulness techniques, it might help me to be more calm, focussed and at one in my daily life.
The 3-day course which is accredited by The Federation of Holistic Therapists proved to be incredibly informative, engaging and an energising experience.
Underpinned by the history and theory relating to mindfulness, it was incredible to study its origins which encompass yogic tradition and Buddhist practice. Many religions also have mindfulness at their core, in the form of prayers being recited, with the focus on bringing the attention back to the present moment.
Indeed, I also learned that the Modern Mindfulness Movement was initiated in the 20th century by Jon Kabat-Zinn, who was a developer of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme, aimed at helping people suffering from pain and other conditions, found to be too challenging to treat in hospital. MBSR is now a widely adopted practice across the NHS, schools, prisons and other health providing institutions around the world.
I also now appreciate the difference between mindfulness, which is more of an umbrella term that includes meditation practices such as yoga, Tai Chi, Transcendental Meditation, using Mantras and various breathing techniques – all with the purpose of helping to focus on one thing (which could be breathing or a mantra) to bring the mind into being centred and present.
Somewhat surprisingly, yet really interesting, was the scientific studies conducted into those people who have a regular mindfulness and meditation practice. Research studies have revealed that certain areas of the brain, especially the pre-frontal cortex (the seat of executive functions including language, logical thinking, ration and reasoning) increases in capability, to yield more rational reasoning when a steady, regular meditation and mindfulness practice is part of someone’s daily routine. So, for example, in a stressful situation, reactions have proven to be more measured and considered when regular mindfulness is practised, rather than a more instinctive, potentially aggressive reaction, when no mindfulness is practised.
Integral to the programme were opportunities to practice meditation techniques, and lead guided meditations working in pairs with the other students on the course. Something which is quite out of my comfort zone!
What I did notice however, over the course of the 3-day programme, is that my confidence increased, and I actually started to enjoy giving a guided meditation using various techniques learned along the way. Fellow feedback from the other participants felt good, as my guided meditations were helping them to relax and become calmer, plus they revealed that they enjoyed the experience.
So, a week on, with the changing situation across the UK because of the corona virus pandemic, my new found skills are now becoming part of my daily life, and are helping me to stay grounded, grateful for the course and the new friendships gained over the three days. The timing of the course for me was spot on!
Finally, I would highly recommend the course to everyone, as it provides such useful skills to help stay focused, calmer and manage any stress and anxiety, which currently is at higher than normal levels in society.
If you’re interested in finding out more, you can check out the Mindfulness and Meditation Training for Teaching here.
In conclusion, I’d like to share these thoughts which came to mind, post the course:
‘Life is a journey, which meanders like a river, gently flowing through the winding valleys, until it arrives at the mouth of the river, where it joins a melting pot of other streams and tributaries …. flowing onwards, into a more expansive ocean, where infinite possibilities await.’
Philippa Bassett, TFBI, PR & Communications Manager