What’s in our intray

News from OXFORD about mindfulness:Prof Mark Williams from the Oxford Mindfulness Centre part of the Department of Psychiatry has been conversing with the head of the Drukpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Mindfulness is based on ancient Buddhist practices – and is a western adaptation of eastern 

practices.

The clinical term for mindfulness is Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). Researchers have found that those who regularly meditate feel happier and can alter the physical structure of  the brain. Trials showed that after an eight week course of MBCT those who had had three bouts of depression were 44 per cent less likely to suffer another episode.

His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa  projects a common message: Reduce attachments to burning emotions, contain the ego, accept yourself and discover compassion. Mark Williams calls mindfulness ‘secularised spirituality’. ‘Mindfulness is a mode of awareness that is available to us all.’

Mindfulness sounds like a wonderful and powerful nonpharmaceutical tool to become mentally healthy. Worth finding out more.