I have gained so much from these weeks of MBSR and deepened my practice in ways I had not imagined. Perhaps the most impactful experience for me has been how much more quickly I can become aware of my thoughts and feelings and witness them as parts that are not the "whole of me," but ever changing aspects that can be influenced easily. I can more readily make decisions and take actions based on spaciousness vs. reacting automatically or operating on a constricted "autopilot."
Though I have had a contemplative education at Naropa, years of my own meditation and mindfulness cultivation, this course has reminded me that this will always be "practice" and there is no "perfecting" even with time. This has brought me reassurance and allowed me to give myself permission to sit in meditation with compassion for where I am in that moment and have less judgement about "why I haven't mastered this yet." I am also reminded that tolerating discomfort be it physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual, is the greatest gift to myself, my family and my clients.
I have found the teachings of Tara Brach very powerful and have revisited them many times, each time finding more that speaks to me. I have found the “RAIN" technique very powerful and will continue to embrace this way of being curious and compassionate about my reactions, beliefs, and fears. I have also enjoyed the varied ways to bring mindfulness into my routines . and each day looked forward to just going with whatever strategy felt right, be it yoga, body scanning, sitting meditation, RAIN, loving kindness, or Mountain. I will continue to use these different ways to be awake and alive in my life.
I am so grateful for the culmination of online videos, reading materials, and time to "be" that this course has offered me. I was unsure if I could really make or find time to incorporate this into the packed day of making meals, getting kids to activities, homework, working, cooking, cleaning, and the hectic pace of life. What I found was that I not only looked forward to the "formal" parts of the course, but was much more in the moment and mindful in the busy of life as well. I have had more patience, resilience, and joy in all that I do. My children and husband even joined me on occasion in sitting, breathing, yoga or chanting!
I plan to keep many of the elements of this class in my life and hope to even bring some into my sessions with clients, supervisees, colleagues. Thank you for this profound and accessible resource!
- Deborah T.
"Letter of Learning"
from Deborah T. in Pennsylvania
