Introductory Articles by Chris Walsh
Mindfulness In Action Techniques
These techniques are useful for bring mindfulness into the activities of everyday life.Urge Surfing
In action technique for dealing with urges, cravings and addictions.Initial Problems Practising Mindfulness & Solutions
Why Mindfulness Instructors Need Their Own Regular Practice
The "Just Worrying" Labelling Technique
It turns out that worrying is a quite destructive way of avoiding being mindful that feeds on itself. This technique helps brreak the viscious cycle.The Legend of Nasrudin
This article shows how, hundreds of years ago, the Sufis recognised the difficulties negotiating between the extremes of overly skeptical thinking and magical thinking.
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WHY MINDFULNESS INSTRUCTORS NEED THEIR OWN REGULAR PRACTICE
Mindfulness is an experiential skill
Mindfulness is an experiential skill, like swimming, playing a musical instrument, playing chess or rock climbing. Anyone teaching these skills is in fact a coach. To teach an experiential skill (to coach) requires some mastery of that skill.
Creating an invitational stance
The coach’s experience creates an invitational stance because of the continuity between the experience of the instructor and the student.
Tuning in & Tailoring Teachings
This continuity of experience allows the instructor to tune into the subtleties of the student’s mindfulness experience. The instructor can then tailor their coaching to the specific requirements of the student.
Non Verbal Congruence
Moreover, experiential information is often conveyed non-verbally. This can be done skillfully if the instructor carries the information at an experiential level, within the body. So if instructions about staying non-judgementally with the contents of consciousness are based on the instructor’s own experience, then tone of voice, gesticulations and affective expression will all be congruent. This will enhance the verbal message being conveyed.
Confidence in The Instructor Enhances Modeling
The student needs to know the instructor has skill and experience. They then sense that their instructor embodies a way of practising mindfulness. This makes it easier to learn by modeling, just as a rock climbing student might do with an instructor. An example of where this might manifest would be the ability of the instructor to competently relate to unpleasant affect.
Dr Christopher Walsh
806 Lygon St
North Carlton
Victoria 3054
Ph: 03 9347 4300
Fax: 03 9347 4355
Send email to: info@cwalsh.com.au
Mindfulness In Individual Cognitive Therapy
Taking advantage of the recent acceptance of mindfulness meditation by cognitive therapists, Chris presented this paper to the 28th National Conference for the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy in April 2005.
Dr Chris Walsh: 806 Lygon St, North Carlton, Vic, 3054, Australia
Phone:+61 (0)3 9347 4300 Fax: +61 (0)3 9347 4355
E-mail: info@cwalsh.com.au
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