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Pioneers in mindful self-compassion bring their special magic to Brighton
The founders of the mindful self-compassion programme, Kristin Neff and Chris Germer, ran a hugely successful and very nourishing two-day wokshop in Brighton, earlier this month. The workshop was supported by mindful self-compassion teachers and mentors from around the UK. Over 100 participants, including people who travelled from beyond the UK, joined the special event. Postponed twice, because of the pandemic, this was the Sussex Mindfulness Centre’s first in-person event in over two years. The workshop included an engaging range of teaching, discussion and practice. We posted on Twitter throughout the two days and share some of the nuggets here. Chris…
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Are there barriers to mindfulness for men?
Around one in eight men face mental health issues including depression, anxiety, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The proportion is probably much higher, as men are less likely than women to seek mental health support, and therefore official figures do not give the full picture. In evolutionary terms, factors that influence human reproductive behaviours mean that male expressions of vulnerability were less attractive to potential mates. Whilst oversimplified here, this social phenomenon resulted in the stronger, more muscular men being perceived as better able to hunt and protect the family or tribe from the sabretooth tiger. Consequently, conditioned social expectations…
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A day of mindful practice or another weekend getting stuff done?
“There is a deep awareness that emerges in the silence and stillness of retreat. As the mind becomes quiet, we begin to hear the calling of the heart.” Tara Brach With our busy lives, juggling work, home and family life, who has time for a day of mindful practice? We often use the weekends to get things done and to prepare ourselves for the coming working week. Perhaps it’s those of us who are caught up in this endless busyness that could most benefit from a day of stillness. A mindful retreat offers the opportunity to consciously set aside the…
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Masterclasses: the foundations and evolving story of mindfulness
The Sussex Mindfulness Centre organises workshops to support the development of mindfulness teachers and people interested in mindfulness and compassion-oriented approaches. The workshops include a mixture of teaching, discussion and experiential practice. Two masterclasses planned for the autumn include: Buddhist foundations of mindfulness, and the history and evolving story of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. Both are led by leaders in their respective fields. Find out more here. Buddhist Foundations of Mindfulness: A day of practice, teaching and discussion Even though many of us deliver entirely secular mindfulness-based programmes, the ideas make more sense when we understand their origins and intentions.…
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Self compassion pioneers set to run workshop in Brighton
Two American mindful self-compassion experts are heading to Sussex this summer for their only UK event this year, giving people the chance to learn to be kinder to themselves and let go of criticism. The Sussex Mindfulness Centre is excited to host the 2022 Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) workshop led by American founders of the programme, Drs Kristin Neff and Chris Germer. The MSC Core Skills programme, to be held in Brighton, is a workshop with talks, guided meditations, experiential exercises, and group discussion. Participants will experience learn practices that evoke compassion for themselves, and the rationale behind them. Dr…
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What is Mindful Culture? Conference 2022
This year’s Sussex Mindfulness Centre conference explores mindfulness culture bringing a clinical and appreciative perspective. The conference talks and workshops explore how organisations can cultivate a mindful culture in a complex and uncertain world. Whether we work in healthcare, education, politics or at grassroots community level, we look at what can support compassion and wellbeing and enhance performance. We also consider how we adapt what we offer to meet the needs of diverse groups? The Sussex Mindfulness Centre offers one of the few annual conferences on mindfulness in Europe. Exploring the emerging issues of the day, it is an important…