Mindfulness Training flicks the switch on struggle

We can all recognize times of struggle: struggle with emotions, unwanted troublesome thoughts or even physical pain. In our search for inner peace we most often get drawn into the stories that the mind wants to spin for us and end up in a terrible struggle. The more we struggle with our thoughts the more we seem to go down – a bit like being caught in quicksand.  The more you struggle trying to get out of the quick sand the more you sink down. The only way is to just float on top.

Mindfulness Training is about learning how to switch off the struggle switch – how to float on top.  Mindfulness Training evolves from Eastern philosophies of Yoga, Buddhism and Taoism and is fast becoming an evidence based therapy and training in the for of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. At the T’ai Shen Centre our Mindfulness Training is based upon a Buddhist approach to living life. Mindfulness helps us live life to the fullest in spite of our problems or pain and helps us tap into our full potential self.

How does it do this? Firstly Mindfulness teaches us to be in the present moment. So much of our thinking – those terrible thoughts – are based in the past or somewhere in the future, anywhere except in the here and now.  When we become sharply focused on the present moment much of the struggle subsides. To be “present” try the 5 Quick Check Ins. Look at five different colours. Hear five different sounds. Feel five different sensations – temperature, clothes against your skin, feet on the ground etc. Try to detect five different smells and finally five different tastes. By the time you have finished this little exercise there is a bit of inner peace and the struggle has subsided a little.

Mindfulness is very much about being the neutral Observer of our thoughts, feelings and sensations. The Observer can step out of the game. Learn to notice your thoughts rather than being pulled in by them.

Mindfulness Training is not about denying your experiences or trying to put up with them (that is struggle in itself!) or trying to get rid of them. It is about accepting them and giving them space while at the same time moving in the direction you want your life to be from your deepest inner values. Scott Peck in his acclaimed book A Road Less Travelled stated: “Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult--once we truly understand and accept it--then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.” The struggle switch is switched off.