The word “mindfulness” is a translation of the Indian Pali word sati, which means awareness, and some have translated it to “remembering”, because to be aware of what is happening in the present moment, we need to remember to do so. This means that mindfulness involves “equanimity”, which is the ability to remain calm and non-reactive, whatever our experience may be. This is another way of saying “keep your cool.”
In this practice you’ll explore awareness of breath, body scan and golden glowing light, urge surfing before finishing with a grounding meditation.
Ben has been working with people who use drugs and alcohol as a way of self medicating for Trauma and adverse childhood experiences for the last few years, and has helped many use Mindfulness as a key intervention on the journey to recovery.
Learning how to control our emotions and feelings through the breath, and becoming present in the moment has been a lifeline to people who have struggled with life and the constant curve balls it throws at all. Mindfulness involves paying attention to what is happening in the present, right now, without trying to change anything, overcoming the feeling we are not in control.
A life long alcoholic and drug user himself, Ben discovered Mindfulness whilst serving a life changing prison sentence and has since devoted his work to helping others achieve a life of control and/or abstinence. He now works for the Welsh government in building recovery communities where Peer Led recovery is the primary focus.
Theses mindfulness practices are not solely for those on their recovery journey, mindfulness refers to a way of noticing all the things that the mind gets involved with (including seeing and hearing, smelling, touching, tasting, sensing in the body, and thinking and feeling things), in a calm and non-judgmental way, without needing to change things or react emotionally, allowing one to return to a feeling of calm when all around seems not to be.