Mindfulness is the awareness that emerges when we pay attention in a particular way: in the present moment with curiosity and kindness.

Mindfulness for life (MBCT-L) is an 8-week, 9 session evidence-based course that can support in both coping better with difficulties and in savouring life.

Themes include gathering the scattered mind, responding skillfully to thoughts and emotions, and taking better care of yourself.

Dates: Thursday 1^st October-Thursday 19^th November from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm each week and a day of practice on Saturday 14^th November from 10 am until 4 pm.

Where- St. Mary’s Centre. Stoke Newington Church St. N16 9ES.
Suitably sized for physical distancing and social connection*.

Facilitated by– Andy Phee is an experienced mindfulness teacher, teacher trainer and teaching partner of Oxford Mindfulness Centre.

Cost- £270. Please enquire about concessions.

More Info/Reserve a Place– Please contact Andy

* course will move online if necessary, to comply with pandemic related guidance

Today marks the winter solstice. I’ve been struck by how much I have been resisting the grey, cloudy days, the mid-afternoon darkness and the cold evenings and wishing it was sunny and warm or that I was somewhere tropical and balmy .

When I started exploring this in mindfulness practice and brought more of a beginners mind to winter nights, a new intention arose to welcome the darkness and to bring curiosity and gratitude to the effects of this axial tilt of the earth around the sun.

Now I am noticing more spaciousness and ease after a topsy turvy and very busy few months.

How does the winter solstice and the season relate to our inner world and to working mindfully with our sadness and loss in life as well as our strengths and joys? The poet Wendell Berry suggests

To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.
To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.

The songwriter Cindy Mangsen offers words, imagery and encouragement that reflects our willingness in mindfulness practice to be with the cycles of our lives and of the natural world.

She who can love both sun and moon

Joyful in both seed and bloom

Sound and silence, dark and light

Has nothing to fear from the long winter’s night

Wishing you peace and joy over the holidays and in the coming year.

Andy