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FEATURE STORY
It’s common for people to spend time thinking about what is not going on around them. We’re usually thinking about what happened in the past, or about what might happen in the future — things which may never happen at all. Although this ability to think, reason and plan is a remarkable characteristic of the human brain, it may have an emotional cost. Often thinking about the past turns into ruminating, playing the “what if I had … ” tape over and over again in our minds. Thinking about the future often turns to constant worry about things that may not occur. While these thought patterns are perfectly normal, they prevent us from being in the present moment, the only time in which we can be alive. Living in the past or future, and not being aware of what’s happening in the present moment, can also lead to chronic stress, leading to emotional and physical consequences to our health and well being.
So what is mindfulness and how can it help us live in the present moment to experience — more fully and with more ease — life, work and people important to us? It doesn’t work to just say “I’m going to change how I think now,” or “I’m not going to be as stressed now.” It takes practice and training to change your brain. There are many ways to cultivate mindfulness including meditation, learning to recognize physical symptoms of stress in our body, and learning to be aware of when thoughts running through our head aren’t helpful.
Jon Kabat-Zinn, of the University of Massachusetts Medical School Center for Mindfulness, developed an 8-week course, “Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction” teaching all of these approaches. Using a qualified, trained facilitator, participants learn, practice and discuss how these approaches can make a difference in their lives. Jo Marchant, PhD, has written a book titled “Cure,” investigating the healing power of the mind. He reports “mindfulness meditation” is one of the best-studied types of meditation and has benefits for health.
“There have been hundreds of studies on mindfulness now and there’s very good evidence that it reduces stress and anxiety,” he said, “and reduces symptoms such as chronic pain and fatigue.”
To learn more about MBSR, there is an information session on April 19 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Downtown Yoga, 283 Water St., Augusta, or one may call 446-2236.
