Mindfulness
- “The definition of Mindfulness is the capacity to be aware, in the present, moment to moment, on purpose, in a Non-Judgmental, Curious, and Receptive way.” Jon Kabat Zinn. Zinn also writes: “Mindfulness is cultivated by assuming the stance of an impartial witness to your own experience. To do this requires that you become aware of the constant stream of judging and reacting to inner and outer experience that we are all normally caught up in, and learn to step back from it.”
- Mindfulness Meditation is both a practice and a skill. Judith believes that anyone can learn Mindfulness with the right instruction, and it is a great joy for her to see people learn this life changing skill. In these classes she will give you various options, practical skills, and ways of practicing Mindfulness in your daily life.
- But Mindfulness it is more than just mechanics, as the word “skill” might imply. This approach, when practiced, comes from the 2600 year old Buddhist tradition, which teaches practical methods to live a more fulfilling and easeful life, while suffering less. Like Yoga, one does not have to have a particular belief system to utilize this approach.
- Mindfulness meditation has been extensively studied by Neuro-scientific research over the past 20 years. In the past 10 years in particular, the concept of Neuroplasticity has greatly enriched and changed the process of therapy. (See Treatment Philosophy.)
- Practicing Mindfulness creates a calm, balanced inner environment. This environment encourages what M.B.C.T. (Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy) calls the Being Mode: A mind state that is focused in the Present, and is oriented towards less inner struggling with “The way things are”.
This is very different than the Doing Mode, the mode in which most of us operate from, most of the time. The Doing Mode is a mind state that is almost always focused on the past (rumination) or the future (worrying). The Doing Mode is very useful for making changes and getting things done, but, when over-relied upon, can lead to over-controlling, over-managing, and the stress of resisting or avoiding what we are faced with in life.
The Being mode allows one to relax, rest, recharge, as well as giving rise to many other very Beneficial States of Mind. (See Qualities of Mindful Awareness)
- Contemplative-based Practices are Inwardly Focused and Reflective practices which help to develop, stabilize and enhance positive emotional states. They usually focus on Self-Nurturing, Self-compassion, Self-confidence, and the ability to comfort and care for oneself, even if one has had experiences which have made this seem difficult and even, in some cases, seemingly impossible.
These practices or therapy techniques originate largely in the Buddhist tradition, but can call on other contemplative practices as well. They have been recently empirically studied by Neuro-scientific Investigation. They are not religious in nature, but do borrow from religious, or spiritual methods of easing suffering and developing a Meta-Cognitive, or a larger view of understanding oneself, relationships and the world.
- In the Trauma Therapy world in general, and particularly in E.M.D.R. this has been called Resource Development. Resource development combines various therapy techniques (hypnotherapy, visualizations, etc.) and the contemplative focus of Compassion to build a healthy, productive sense of self where one may have previously felt lacking.
Judith sees the overall process of Resource Development and Mindfulness as much more than an acquisition of techniques. It is an overall process of discovery of both innate but hidden or lost Qualities, and the internalization of Qualities that one wants to absorb and ripen.
- This process of Discovery is both step-by-step and also Holographic and Meta-cognitive; both sequential but also intuitive and imaginative.
Judith’s individual work along with the classes and groups she offers are steeped in the rich interplay of Mindfulness and Contemplative (Resource) work. Together they help people who suffer from Trauma, Grief, Low Self Esteem, Relationship problems, and just finding your way through the world in a healthy, loving and productive way to re-establish a sense of self-worth and a sense of love and purpose in the world.
Please see Judith’s Calendar for updated classes for the Fall and Winter 2016-2017.
Please see Judith’s Course Description page for an in-depth explanation of the classes.
Please see the Qualities of Mindful Awareness page for more information on this Process.