Mindfulness Waikato

03/09/2023

On September 23rd we held our final Mindfulness Waikato retreat with 7 lovely participants, and a very friendly cat, who joined not only our outdoors walking meditation, but also some of our quieter indoor sitting practices. We're not sure if the cat lives at our wonderful Waldorf school venue, or perhaps with neighbours nearby, but we all enjoyed having him or her there! And we were sustained by an absolutely delicious lunch catered for us by the River Kitchen. Our thanks also go to The Psychology Centre who have supported us over the past decade or more to offer our mindfulness programmes. Although we have loved doing so, and supporting our participants to explore mindfulness, we have decided that now is the time for us to move on as well. Thank you to everyone who has travelled the road with us; we wish you well as you continue on, Philippa and Jeannette.

18/04/2022

And continuing our exploration theme, remembering that we are part of a wider world also facing multiple challenges, with as much equanimity as we can ... one step at a time ... :)

18/04/2022

Hello again Mindfulness Waikato friends, although it looks as if the Covid numbers are heading down, it still seems a bit too soon to decide our next steps, so while we wait a little longer, here's another JOT from psychologist, mindfulness practitioner, and teacher Rick Hanson. These ideas and practices can help us to maintain mindful focus, especially in these times of multiple challenges to our attention. We hope that you enjoy exploring them, Philippa & Jeannette :)

Controlling your attention - being able to place it where you want it and keep it there, being able to pull it away from what's bothersome or pointless.

06/12/2021

Our Christmas wishes post was going to be the last one for this year, but this one (in which Rick Hanson takes inspiration from Aotearoa / New Zealand) is too good to miss!

What can you do when you're shaken? Find your ground. It's clear that we all need a place to stand. A physical place to be sure - hearth and home, land and sea, a bed to curl up in - but also psychological or spiritual places, such as feeling loved, a calm clear center inside

22/11/2021

Hi Mindfulness Waikato friends, in this constantly changing world it can be difficult to maintain our equanimity. But, right now, we can rely on the anchor of our own breathing to help us face this moment, and the next, and the next ... and like the rising moon about to be eclipsed, we can still shine through the darkness!

11/10/2021

Once again, Rick Hanson suggests mindful ways we might let go of the things that weigh us down, and so increase our resilience.

Are you lugging around a needless burden? Carrying an unnecessary load can be stressful and harmful. Instead, it's OK to drop the load and let go of repetitive preoccupations.

05/10/2021

Hello again Mindfulness Waikato friends, despite virus-induced changes to our plans we are still here! And while we wait (perhaps patiently, perhaps not) for some clarity, these words of 14th century mystic Julian of Norwich may remind us in difficult times to stop and take a few moments to focus on the anchor of our own breathing, so that we may respond mindfully to the challenges we are all facing.

21/07/2021

Rick Hanson's Just One Thing musings are always amazing!

Be amazed just thinking we are walking and talking on a big rock circling a bigger burning ball of gas we should be amazed.

18/02/2021

Given the recent ups and downs in lockdown levels, this post from Rick Hanson seems just ideal as a reminder to take a breathing space when and if we start to feel overwhelmed!

These tips can help you move from the Red Zone (reactive mode) of the brain towards the Green Zone (responsive mode) in times of stress.

20/08/2020

We've posted Rick Hanson's Just One Thing newsletters before - this is one of his latest wise, succinct, mindful offerings. Hope you enjoy reading it!

Breathing brings you home. Speed up the breath and there's new energy. Slow it down and you calm. In the breath you are home in this moment, this Now.

16/04/2020

Rick Hanson has some thoughts on the big things of life - like the current challenges that most of us are facing daily, especially now.

In every life, reminders arrive about what's really important. While it's good advice not to sweat the small stuff, we also need to nurture the large stuff.

28/03/2020

Hi to all Mindfulness Waikato friends, today I received a courier delivery, a packet of tulip bulbs ordered in late spring, while on holiday in the South Island. I'd pretty much forgotten all about their imminent arrival, and when I did think of it, it was that they may be months away, not being an essential item in the midst of the current health crisis. And yet they have already provided an essential boost to my present well-being, both in evoking memories of the fields of flowers at Edendale, and in anticipation of their flowering in the spring. And guess what - the tulip emoji here signifies feeling hopeful! Noticing the good in life (even now) is an essential factor in our resilience. If you'd like to learn more about resilience, I suggest looking at Dr Rick Hanson's page (Rick Hanson, Ph.D.) and also searching for his Being Well podcast, (coping with) Fear in the time of coronavirus. Stay safe and well, Philippa