Resources
There are lots of resources you can use, that can assist with developing meditation and general mindfulness practice. At our Wednesday sessions we often enjoy hearing a poem after our group meditation. When we have guided sessions we sometimes use music to help create a calming atmosphere. Many of us enjoy reading about mindfulness, or learning more through videos. The Monday group typically use audio tracks to provide a guided mindfulness experience.
You don't need resources to be mindful, but they are often nice to have. We will use this page to share a few that we have enjoyed and you may also like:
You don't need resources to be mindful, but they are often nice to have. We will use this page to share a few that we have enjoyed and you may also like:
A special Mindful Thanet poem
Listen to a special new 'Introduction to Mindfulness' poem, written and read by Lorraine William of Mindful Thanet here.
You can listen to this and then sit quietly for a while, choosing to reflect on the words, or to practice focusing your attention on your breath, or any other aspect of the moment you find yourself in.
This poem is an introduction to the benefits of mindfulness and the principles of honouring the present moment - and shifting your attention to different aspects of the moment.
Please note: currently the poem plays in Google Music Player so you may need to sign in to a google account to be able to listen to it.
It takes just under 4 minutes to listen to the whole thing. If listening to poetry isn't something you normally do, give it a go!
We'd love to hear any feedback on how this poem works for you. Please send any comments here.
You can listen to this and then sit quietly for a while, choosing to reflect on the words, or to practice focusing your attention on your breath, or any other aspect of the moment you find yourself in.
This poem is an introduction to the benefits of mindfulness and the principles of honouring the present moment - and shifting your attention to different aspects of the moment.
Please note: currently the poem plays in Google Music Player so you may need to sign in to a google account to be able to listen to it.
It takes just under 4 minutes to listen to the whole thing. If listening to poetry isn't something you normally do, give it a go!
We'd love to hear any feedback on how this poem works for you. Please send any comments here.
Guided meditation audio tracks
You can download free guided meditations from this wonderful site "The Free Mindfulness Project"
Meditation Apps
You can download an app which will time your meditation session and includes a beautiful gong sound here.
The most well known meditation app in recent years is Headspace - available to download here.
The most well known meditation app in recent years is Headspace - available to download here.
Very short video by a fantastic monk - "you can meditate anywhere, anytime"
We love this short, clear and very empowering video by Tibetan Buddhist Master, Mingyur Rinpoche talking about short practical meditation practices you can do in seconds or a few minutes to master your "monkey mind". Have a watch - then give it a go!
Music
Artist, Rachel Ella Taylor, led our session on April 9th 2014, using RELAXATION MUSIC FOR STRESS RELIEF AND HEALING MEDITATION by Mohajatok Shahid Al Bokhari it is beautiful and very soothing. Visit Bokhari's youtube channel.
More Poetry
We typically share a poem after our sessions on Wednesday. This is one of our favourites,
by Thich Naht Hanh, who provides a wealth of mindfulness resources via his site parallax.org. . It is a wonderful reflection on mindful breathing. You might like to read it before sitting down to meditate, to help put you in a mindful frame of mind.
by Thich Naht Hanh, who provides a wealth of mindfulness resources via his site parallax.org. . It is a wonderful reflection on mindful breathing. You might like to read it before sitting down to meditate, to help put you in a mindful frame of mind.
Breathing In by Thich Nhat Hanh
Breathing in, I know I am breathing in.
Breathing out, I know I am breathing out.
Breathing in, I see myself as a flower.
Breathing out, I feel fresh.
Breathing in, I see myself as a mountain
Breathing out, I feel solid.
Breathing in, I feel myself as still water.
Breathing out, I reflect things as they are.
Breathing in, I see myself as space.
Breathing out, I feel free.
Breathing in, I know that I am breathing in.
Breathing out, I know that I am breathing out.
As my in-breath grows deep,
My out breath grows slow.
Breathing in makes me calm.
Breathing out brings me ease.
With the in-breath, I smile,
With the out-breath I release.
Dwelling in the present moment,
I know this is a wonderful moment.
Feelings come and go, like clouds in a windy sky
Conscious breathing is my anchor.
Breathing out, I know I am breathing out.
Breathing in, I see myself as a flower.
Breathing out, I feel fresh.
Breathing in, I see myself as a mountain
Breathing out, I feel solid.
Breathing in, I feel myself as still water.
Breathing out, I reflect things as they are.
Breathing in, I see myself as space.
Breathing out, I feel free.
Breathing in, I know that I am breathing in.
Breathing out, I know that I am breathing out.
As my in-breath grows deep,
My out breath grows slow.
Breathing in makes me calm.
Breathing out brings me ease.
With the in-breath, I smile,
With the out-breath I release.
Dwelling in the present moment,
I know this is a wonderful moment.
Feelings come and go, like clouds in a windy sky
Conscious breathing is my anchor.
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BooksThere are lots of great books to choose from about meditation and mindfulness. We may one day get some kind of payment from Amazon if you choose to buy any that we list on here and we will use any income generated in this way to continue to promote mindfulness in Thanet. If you'd like to suggest a book for inclusion on this page please let us know.
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle is a classic read and demonstrates how to live a healthier and happier life by living in the present moment. The Meditation Manifesto, is written by Dr. Jonty Heaveredge and Ed Halliwell and presents a compelling scientifically validated case for how doing less and noticing more can help us thrive in a stressed our world. Ed recently spoke at the Margate literary festival, Margate Bookie, in August 2016. His latest book is Into the Heart of Mindfulness and he has also written Mindfulness, How to Live Well by Paying Attention, both of which have received very positive reviews across the board. Meditation Week by week, 52 meditations to help you grow in peace and awareness, is a nice little book with a different meditation technique for you to explore every week of the year! It's nice to dip into for ideas and inspiration and shows what a myriad of ways there are to approach meditation. Keep your practice fresh if it's starting to feel a little stale. This is also a lovely little gift for anyone new to meditation. ResearchIn recent years academic research interest in meditation has grown exponentially and many studies have demonstrated powerful physical, social and mental health benefits.
You may find this paper from UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) researchers, Greg Flaxman and Lisa Flook, summarising research findings of interest: "Current literature points towards the potential for mindfulness to affect the structure and neural patterns present in the brain....not only during mindfulness practice but during the daily life of practitioners...." This 2016 paper by The Mindfulness Initiative makes a strong case for mindfulness improving workplace performance. |
