Mindfulness Association

Mindfulness Association Welcome to the Mindfulness Association. In-depth, Mindfulness & Compassion for life. Beginners to MSc

The Mindfulness Association Community Interest Company delivers Mindfulness training at all levels up to Masters Degree Level, and runs a Mindfulness and Compassion teacher training programme with the University of Aberdeen, and the University of the West of Scotland in London. The Mindfulness Association is a non-profit organisation with altruistic aims directed towards sharing the benefits of mi

ndfulness with all of those who are interested and for the benefit of all. We support free mindfulness courses delivered by The Everyone Project Charity. Our objectives are to offer high quality trainings in mindfulness and compassion which help people to establish a regular and effective mindfulness practice and which help people to bring mindfulness into all aspect of their daily lives. We aim to make our trainings accessible to as many people as possible and in particular we try to keep the prices of our courses affordable and to offer our courses at different locations around the UK and in Ireland. Our comprehensive training pathway delivers the teaching of Mindfulness and Compassion with the aim of meeting the growing demand within the UK for mindfulness teachers. All our training adheres to the directives of BAMBA (British Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches). The Mindfulness Association is also working with the University of Aberdeen in the ongoing development and delivery of its Masters Programme in Mindfulness Studies. The aim is to provide students with a high quality Masters level training in Mindfulness, Compassion and Insight which can then be applied by the students in their different professional settings in order to promote physical and mental wellbeing. The board members of the Mindfulness Association are: Rob Nairn, Choden (Sean McGovern) (Director), Heather Regan-Addis (Director), Norton Bertram-Smith (Director) and Vin Harris. The Mindfulness Association offers many of its courses at Samye Ling Tibetan Centre and associated centres throughout the UK, with the aim of supporting their charitable work. To this end the Mindfulness Association is one of the founder members of Samye College.
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Main Image by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

22/04/2026

Today is Earth Day and we are all increasingly aware of the environmental problems that face us as a species. It can be easy to push thoughts of the issues away, to see them as too large to contemplate or that they "are someone elses problem, something I cannot do anything about".

While understandable, this attitude is challenged by this year's theme "Our Power, Our Planet" which encourages us to see ourselves as having agency in the decisions we make. I could try and put this into words but I think Thich Nhat Hanh summarises it brilliantly, so I cede the floor to him:

"The ecosystem and we humans are not two different things. When we kill the ecosystem, we are killing ourselves. We are the ecosystem. The ecosystem is us. We are the planet. The planet is us. Anything harmful we do to the planet, we do to ourselves."

22/04/2026

Happy Earth Day! Read our blog “Mindfulness and Sustainability”
https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/guest-blogs/earth-day-2026-the-power-of-mindful-sustainability/

Today is Earth Day, the yearly call to arms to pay attention to the planet, the environmental damage that is being caused and to think about concrete steps we can take to help preserve our home. The theme of “Our Power, Our Planet” is all about looking at ourselves and what we can do.

We don't own this planet—we’re just renting it for the generations to come. While global environmental issues can feel overwhelming, remember that "the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” and that with that attitude, small changes in our day can be the first steps to a much more profound environmental journey.

Mindfulness teaches us to connect with the moment, to look at our behaviours and to reduce and remove those that cause us or others harm. This is why it is so perfect for helping us navigate the environmental crisis, bring accountability into our behaviours and help us overcome the feelings of helplessness that can easily arise in the face of the challenges ahead.

Environmentalism doesn't have to be a chore; it can be a lifestyle of awareness. Let’s be present for the home we’re just the caretakers of so that future generations can be proud of us and enjoy this rich, wonderful planet.

Read teh blog here https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/guest-blogs/earth-day-2026-the-power-of-mindful-sustainability/

20/04/2026

JOIN OUR FREE DAILY MINDFULNESS SIT – WHY MEDITATING IN A GROUP IS BENEFICIAL

At the Mindfulness Association, part of our commitment is making mindfulness as accessible as possible to as many as possible!

One of the ways that we do this is by offering free online meditation sessions Monday to Friday at 10:00 and 19:00 (UK Time), allowing people to connect with our wider mindfulness community and to get some daily meditation practice in!

Practicing mindfulness in a group can strengthen both the experience and the benefits of meditation. Research has shown that regular mindfulness practice can reduce stress, improve focus, support emotional wellbeing, and help people respond more calmly to challenges. When practiced consistently, mindfulness can also improve sleep, increase self-awareness, and support overall mental health.

Practicing in a group often makes it easier to experience these benefits because it encourages regular participation. Maintaining a meditation routine on your own can be difficult, especially when life becomes busy or motivation dips. Being part of a group provides a gentle structure and sense of community support that helps people be more likely to continue practicing and build mindfulness into their routine.

Group sessions also create a sense of community. Together, the consistency, shared intention, and supportive environment of a group can help people sustain a mindfulness practice and experience its long-term benefits.

So why not join us - https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/free-resources/free-daily-online-mindfulness-meditation/

19/04/2026

Mindfulness Level 1 Course - Start your Mindfulness Journey Here!

4th May – 1st June: Led by Alan Hughes

We are going to be running our Level 1: Being Present Mindfulness, a 4-part online course that can act as an introduction to mindfulness or as a refresher for your practice.

This is an opportunity to deepen your practice, led by compassionate and engaging teachers and to have the opportunity to practice within a welcoming environment, with like-minded people.

WHY DO THIS COURSE?

Regular Mindfulness Practice has many proven benefits:
• Help us work more skilfully with and reduce stress
• Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
• Improve emotional regulation
• Improve sleep, focus and problem-solving skills
• Helps us to respond more compassionately towards ourselves and others.

Doing this course online is a convenient way to connect with the practice in the comfort of familiar surroundings.
• • • • •

This course can be a one off or the beginning of your ongoing training. It can be taken in isolation as a retreat or a refresher for those already with a Mindfulness practice or is a perfect way to begin a Mindfulness journey. After the first part you can choose to continue to complete the course over three further parts.

For more information click here https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/course/mindfulness-level-one-spring-intake/

MSc Studies in Mindfulness – STARTS SEPTEMBER 2026• A Social Sciences degree over 3 years part time• An experiential cou...
18/04/2026

MSc Studies in Mindfulness – STARTS SEPTEMBER 2026

• A Social Sciences degree over 3 years part time
• An experiential course in Mindfulness, Compassion & Insight in your chosen professional context

Our mindfulness courses provide an in-depth, personal, experiential practice of mindfulness that are part of a lifelong journey. We learn how to be present, respond with compassion and see deeply into our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. This three-tiered approach enables you to embody your practice as a way of life. We also provide:

• Mindfulness teacher training
• Compassion teacher training
• Annual mindfulness practice retreats
• The opportunity to study mindfulness in partnership with The University of Aberdeen.
• Weekend workshops for Continued Professional Development for Mindfulness teachers.

This Mindfulness Degree: Studies in Mindfulness, covers our Mindfulness Levels 1 to 3 courses supplemented with an academic exploration of the mindfulness literature and evidence-base.
It enables you to explore how mindfulness practice is applicable to your professional context.

It covers training in research methodology as well as preparation for undertaking a research project or dissertation in the third year.

Teacher training is included, in accordance with the good practice guidelines of the British Association of Mindfulness Based Approaches (BAMBA).

You may be a beginner or have practiced mindfulness with another organisation. Either way this MSc could be just what you are looking for as the next stage of your mindfulness journey.

Click herr to find out more https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/masters-and-research/msc-studies-in-mindfulness/
Or email us for more information at: info@mindfulnessassociation.net

UPCOMING COURSES THAT TAKE MINDFULNESS BEYOND THE BREATHMindfulness is often mistaken for a brief daily ritual—a few min...
17/04/2026

UPCOMING COURSES THAT TAKE MINDFULNESS BEYOND THE BREATH

Mindfulness is often mistaken for a brief daily ritual—a few minutes of breathing before returning to the frantic pace of "real life." In reality, mindfulness is a way of life, an enduring presence that can be applied to every aspect of our existence, from mundane chores to complex professional challenges.

At the MA, we strive to allow people to engage in mindfulness more fully, to move beyond the breath, to take mindfulness off the cushion to help with the gap that can exist between practice and life.

We have three courses coming up that highlight the depth of mindfulness and how it can be applied in different ways:

- The Mindfulness Meets Mystical Poetry course starting on 27th May show how the interaction of mindfulness and poetry can help us experience and understand the depths of our common humanity.

- We also have our latest upcoming Mindful Qigong Course starting on 28th May. This course develops our mindful movement practices and allows the practitioner to become more attuned to and release emotions that may be trapped in the body.

- Our Living Well to Die Well weekend on 30th – 31st May helps us deal mindfully with one of the two inevitabilities of life (can’t do anything about the taxes I am afraid!). This course helps us navigate not only our feelings and fears around death but also helps us learn to live an authentic and engaged life.

For more information on these courses click here https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/mindfulness-courses/all-courses-and-retreats/

If I had to explain what mindfulness is doing for us in one phrase, I would say "it is teaching us to live in the presen...
13/04/2026

If I had to explain what mindfulness is doing for us in one phrase, I would say "it is teaching us to live in the present moment"⁠
⁠
That doesn't sound very exciting when you see it written down. It sounds almost mundane. So why is living in the moment so important?⁠
⁠
Living in the moment is the key to contentment and happiness. When we are stressed or anxious, we are usually ruminating over things that have already happened, or projecting into a future that has not arrived and may not play out the way we fear. ⁠
⁠
Focusing more regularly on the present moment undercuts those habitual patterns that feed stress and unease. This is not denial or positive thinking, but acknowledging thoughts about the past and future for what they are, thoughts and opinions rather than facts, undermining their hold over our mood and behaviour.⁠
⁠
Also, focusing on the present moment allows us to be fully involved in those things that bring us pleasure. The foods we eat, the drinks we imbibe, the smells and sights of life bloom in our awareness, and we can fully enjoy those moments.⁠
⁠
Basically, practice mindfulness, stress less and enjoy more!⁠
⁠

13/04/2026

Meditation for Work-Life Balance

Free Daily Meditations: Why 30 minutes of meditation will transform your working day

If there is a phrase we have all uttered at work at some point, it will have been a variation on the sentence “I am so stressed”. It is seemingly universal.

However, whilst there is always going to be some stress in the workplace, the levels of burnout, anxiety and depression being reported in the workplace are alarming.

The MHFA have highlighted that in the last year an estimated 776,000 workers suffered from work-related stress, depression, or anxiety, representing 46% of all work-related ill health cases and 54% of all working days lost due to ill health.

Looking for proven and sustainable ways of managing and reducing stress is essential for all if we are to navigate and reduce the stressors affecting our professional lives. Mindfulness meditation has proven to reduce stress markers, reduce ruminative thought and help reduce and control depression symptoms.

Whilst not a cure-all, practicing mindfulness is an accessible and proven way for us as individuals to help reduce our stress. So why not take 30 minutes out of your working day to join us for a guided meditation (or even an hour if you want to join for the evening session!).

From Monday to Friday we offer Free Daily Meditations. At 10:30am and 7pm (UTC) we come together to practice mindfulness meditation.
Doing so will enable you to return to work refreshed and with greater focus and productivity

Just click on the link at the time of the sessions to join the practice

12/04/2026

Today we have something that can help you when you’re having “one of those days”.

We all have those days (or more accurately, those moments) when we need some kindness to help us through our challenges and difficulties. Life can be wonderful but it can also be tough, so learning how to support ourselves mindfully and with kindness is so important.

Often though, when we have difficulties, it can be easy to ignore them, push them away or even get onto ourselves for being in the situation we find ourselves in, even if it is not out fault! This is not to criticise – it is human, but to respond this way doesn’t help us, it only serves to deepen our suffering.

Instead, why don’t we show ourselves a bit of kindness and support ourselves through life’s challenges.

This mini meditation helps us cultivate this kindness.
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JOIN US FOR FREE GUIDED MINDFULNESS 10.30am & 7pm Monday - Friday (UK Time) CLICK ON LINK IN BIO TO JOIN

10/04/2026

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Compassion is at the heart of everything we do. The Mindfulness Association is a non-profit Community Interest Company, set up at the request of Rob Nairn to deliver secular mindfulness training. Our altruistic aims are directed towards sharing the benefits of mindfulness with all of those who are interested. We offer high quality trainings in Mindfulness, Compassion and Insight. We help people to establish regular and effective mindfulness practice which brings mindfulness into all aspect of their daily lives. We aim to make our trainings accessible to as many people as possible and in particular we try to keep the prices of our courses affordable and to offer our courses at different locations around the UK and in Ireland. We also offer a comprehensive training pathway towards the teaching of Mindfulness and Compassion with the aim of meeting the growing demand within the UK for mindfulness teachers. Our teacher training pathway has been developed in accordance with new BAMBA teacher training guidelines (British Association for Mindfulness-Based Approaches). The Mindfulness Association works in collaboration with the University of Aberdeen in the ongoing development and delivery of its Masters Programme in Mindfulness Studies. The aim is to provide students with a high quality Masters level training in Mindfulness, Compassion and Insight which can then be applied by the students in order to promote physical and mental wellbeing in their professional setting. The board members of the Mindfulness Association are: Rob Nairn, Sean McGovern (Director), Heather Regan-Addis (Director), Norton Bertram-Smith (Director) and Vin Harris. The Mindfulness Association offers many of its courses at Samye Ling Tibetan Centre and associated centres throughout the UK, with the aim of supporting their charitable work. To this end the Mindfulness Association is one of the founder members of Samye College.