The Attitudinal Foundations of Mindfulness
The seven attitudinal foundations of mindfulness are described by Jon Kabat-Zinn as the “major pillars of mindfulness practice” (Full Catastrophe Living, 2004). Non-judging, patience, beginner’s mind, trust, non-striving, acceptance and letting go are qualities of mind and heart which bring an essential attitudinal approach to practice, and which are naturally developed through practice itself. They can also be cultivated consciously as a way of reinforcing and deepening mindfulness practice and integrating it further in daily life.
This is a six week follow up course to an MBSR/MBCT programme. It consists of six sessions of two hours held at fortnightly intervals to allow time to integrate the practices and themes explored in the course. The course is suitable for anyone who has completed an 8 week MBSR/MBCT course and who wishes to develop and integrate practice further in a structured way.
This 6 week course is an opportunity to deepen and enliven your mindfulness practice through exploring and developing these qualities, and applying them in everyday life. The course sessions involve guided practice and reflections on each of the foundational qualities and the opportunity to explore your experience of them in a supportive group environment through reflection, group dialogue and interpersonal mindfulness practices.
Guidelines and suggestions are given for home practice in between sessions, to assist with reflecting on and exploring these foundational attitudes in your own personal practice, and absorbing them more fully in your life.