Mindfulness teaching. Learn this life-transforming tool for understanding and experiencing "the present moment"
Through Mindfulness teaching, I share a meditative approach to everyday life that encourages full concentration on, and experience of, what’s happening in the present moment.
Mindfulness is not itself a form of therapy and differs fundamentally from Hypnotherapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy which are the therapy tools I use to address most difficulties. I work on Mindfulness teaching with almost all clients, as it provides something that you can instantly take away and practice by yourself.
A common misconception is that Mindfulness is a form of relaxation. It is in fact a form of “exercise for the brain”. The practice strengthens your mind so that you can become aware of habitual unhelpful or distressing thoughts. This then empowers you to shift into more positive and empowering thinking patterns, and increases your mental and emotional resilience.
How Mindfulness teaching works.
The term ‘Mindfulness’ is now everywhere, though it is sometimes used rather too loosely.
It actually refers to a quality of being ‘present’ and ‘fully engaged’ with those things you are doing at a particular moment. By shutting out distractions and resisting judgements you can be aware of thoughts and feelings without being caught up in them.
My approach to Mindfulness teaching encourages you to use the tool for yourself, ongoing, for ‘mind maintenance’. It gives you control over your thinking, thereby increasing your resilience in the face of unhelpful notions.
As you gain a recognition that “thoughts are just thoughts”, you become better able to separate yourself from the negative effects of those thoughts. This makes it easier to focus on the present moment and gives immediate respite from unhelpful emotions.
I started to concentrate on Mindfulness meditation yesterday and it really helped. After yesterday, I feel more confident in my ability to get better, as opposed to thinking I have to rely on the pills. I will continue to concentrate on this technique today.
Does Mindfulness really help?
“We all have only moments to live”
These were the words of my early Mindfulness teacher! Responding to the quizzical and worried expressions on the faces of his students, he quickly went on to explain: “…and right now, it’s this moment. That moment has gone, and now it’s this moment”.
Practising Mindfulness gives you the opportunity to be fully “present” so that you can live with greater ease. As you become more aware of your physical and mental state in the moment, you improve your adaptability and effectiveness in how you react to difficult situations.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends Mindfulness as a tool with which to prevent depression for people who have had 3 or more bouts in the past.
I have found that clients dealing with a wide range of anxieties, depression and other challenges benefit significantly from learning simple techniques for experiencing life ‘in the present’ and so being able to live more calmly, free from undermining and worrying thoughts.
Conditions that may be helped using Mindfulness.
Teaching Mindfulness is my mind-maintenance ‘going home present’ to clients dealing with a wide range of difficulties.
It’s something to take away from the therapy to use throughout the rest of your life, to retain control of thoughts and feelings which cause difficulty. You can read about all the problems for which I teach mindfulness on my Concerns & Issues pages, but certain conditions benefit from its use in particular.
Depression
By learning to experience and consider life ‘in the present’, many people suffering from depressive conditions are able to acquire a practical and life-changing tool with which to observe and explore their experience without falling prey to its negative influence.
Anxiety and panic
As with depression, Mindfulness is a tool which, once learned, can be used day in and day out to build up permanent mental resilience to the thoughts that trigger anxiety and panic.
Stress
Stress is often caused by exaggerated and irrational responses to stimuli in our day-to-day lives. Practising Mindfulness enables you to experience life in the present and respond without regard for external thoughts or ideas which might otherwise be stressful.
Paul Levrant. Mindfulness teaching alongside CBT and Hypnotherapy.
I started studying Mindfulness and its use as a tool for self-help as far back as 1993, under Master Professor Lui Hsiu-Chi. Having trained as a Hypnotherapist following a long and often stressful career in business, I now frequently coach clients dealing with a wide range of difficulties to use this tool as part of a ‘mind maintenance’ regime on which they will be able to rely for support and reinforcement for life.
There are many studies available that show the effectiveness of Mindfulness in improving various conditions as well as general mental and physical health. You’ll find more information on mindfulness HERE.
Mindfulness teaching in Highate, Radlett and online
With consulting rooms in North London and Hertfordshire (as well as working online on certain issues), I’m available to work with you at times and in locations convenient to your work and personal commitments.
Book a FREE Initial Consultation
I’d be pleased to arrange an initial telephone consultation with you. This will help me to understand your particular situation, and will help you to decide if you’d like to see me for therapy.
This initial consultation is completely free of charge, and without any obligation to proceed.