Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the importance of the attitudinal component of mindfulness. Mindfulness is more than just mechanically paying attention in the present moment. Mind you, the awareness and self-regulation of attention that comes through training the mind to be in the present moment is worth developing. It is great for focus and sustained concentration. … Read more
During the summer school vacation the WAIS youth high board diving squad trains at the same time as I swim in the morning. From the 50m pool where I do laps, I can see them training on the high springboards. I am struck by the similarities between training to become an elite diver and training … Read more
Perth’s temperature hit 44.4° C yesterday (111.92° F). I work from a home office and we don’t have air conditioning in our house. I have a pedestal fan I can put in my office and a spray bottle I fill with water. It was uncomfortable – no denying it. As happens with such temperature, my … Read more
Between Christmas and New Year I did a flying visit to Thailand to be at the wedding of Ginger and Laetitia who live in a village outside Mae Rim. It was a beautiful wedding with friends and family from many countries present. I also went to spend time with Ouyporn Khuankaew – a feminist, activist, … Read more
Most of us feel the pressure of this time of the year – more events, parties, drinking, food – less time. Here’s a reminder of some things to help keep us sane during this time: take regular 3-minute breathing spaces – bringing attention into the body… feeling the physical sensations present… connecting with the breath… … Read more
Before introducing this amazing advert I want to reflect on breathing for a few moments. The breath is such a great friend. By bringing our attention to the breath we necessarily bring our attention to the present moment. This is a very useful skill to develop, as at times our thoughts about the past and … Read more
Our 10 week community course held at City West Lotteries House has just completed. (The photo shows some of us celebrating after the last class.) Each week I gave the participants small tasters of some of the neuroscience and other research that is being done into Mindfulness and other forms of meditation. Here is a … Read more
Not everyone has the same view of living a long life as I do. Had my grandfather been born three months earlier, he would have lived in three centuries – the 19th, 20th and 21st century. Instead, born in March 1901, when he died at 110 in 2011 he had only lived in the 20th … Read more
Mindfulness is not about religion. Or is it? Look at what Abraham Lincoln and the Dalai Lama say about their religion: Abraham Lincoln: “When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad… that’s my religion” The Dalai Lama: “My religion is simple..my religion is kindness” Mindfulness involves heartfulness: kindness we … Read more
At a recent follow-up session with participants from a Mindfulness workshop, one of the participants provided feedback on her experience washing the dishes mindfully. She had chosen this as a daily task that she would do mindfully – she would really be present and attend to what she was doing. Rather than spending the time … Read more