by Joe Corrick | Mar 17, 2022 | All Blog Posts
Receiving my course work and books for the Integrating Mindfulness and Compassion Qualification Course, it felt like it was time, I was ready to go, prepared for learning – something which has hit me like a train, although a comforting one.
Not since university have I felt this feeling of butterflies and awareness of deadlines approaching. In just 2 weeks I have experienced so many emotions. I have had 2 sessions with the group who are all lovely people. It has been eye opening to communicate with different people who are developing their understanding of mindfulness from different angles, for different reasons yet all carry a similarity in their being that I haven’t yet put my finger on.
Angie Ward (my teacher) creates a sense of calm and an acceptance which is reassuringly safe to be part of. The coursework is refreshing in a sense that I am genuinely interested in doing the questions justice and want to put my all into getting the most out of the course (this is where I have changed since university).
It feels like the questions, the content and teaching is geared towards supporting the learner to succeed but not in a uniformed fashion, without a definitive right or wrong attitude. The questions so far feel like they have been designed to promote self-learning which in turn will produce interesting and differing perspectives, which I guess will ultimately produce unique teachers – albeit who follow the same fundamental mindfulness ethos, just with a hint of ‘flavour’ to enable mindfulness to continue to grow organically amongst like minded people. This makes me excited.
I have even started reading some books, I must be liking it. As I continue my practice I am beginning to challenge my own understanding of mindfulness and explore the realms of my own preconceived ideas. I want to experience what mindfulness can do for me before I begin to support other people. It feels like I am on a journey.
If you are interested in starting your mindfulness and compassion journey with MindfulnessUK then please visit our website to find out more or give us a call on 01823 697890 or email us at admin@mindfulnessuk.com.
by Joe Corrick | Feb 10, 2022 | All Blog Posts
Having completed the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course I can feel my interest in mindfulness grow, as if a new chapter is starting, looking inwards at the way I treat myself and also how I interact with other people.
My head feels clearer, more simplified but also inquisitive at what’s around the corner in terms of my own learning and development. There is a slight sense of loss, having enjoyed the weekly routine of the MBSR and a creeping sense of self-doubt “can I keep up the practice? Am I doing it right?” The supportive words from Steph (my MBSR teacher) are bouncing around in my head – “there is no judgement, there is no right and no wrong”. This is helping to settle any negative self-talk.
I am about to start the Integrating Mindfulness and Compassion Qualification (IMC) course and I am trying to focus on the positive experience in front of me and not fixate on the self-imposed barriers I present before any new personal challenge.
Self-doubt is something that protects me in some sense and a lot easier to drum up than self-confidence. Deep down I know I will be fine and I am already enjoying the ride. I find myself talking about mindfulness, applying mindfulness and noticing where it fits into my everyday experience.
The really exciting bit for me is to see how I can support others – this is why I want to do the IMC course. I can’t pretend that I have nailed down a rigid routine of practice and I do feel some reluctance to any forced patterns of practice upon myself. This doesn’t mean I don’t prioritise practice, it just means I am still working out what works for me, day to day.
In these early stages of my mindfulness journey I am finding practice is most effective when I check in with myself and ask myself what I need, at that moment, I then schedule in some time in that day to follow the most appropriate meditation from my MBSR course. I intend to find more innovative ways to integrate mindfulness practice into my working day, this way it won’t be marginalised to ‘when I am at home’.
By Joe Corrick, a forest school teacher and manager, supporting kids, parents and staff, both internally and in the council and schools.
