Beginner

[Lorna5]

I am a beginner to mindfulness I am currently reading "Full Catastrophe Living" and have some guided meditation downloads that I have been using on a daily basis for about 4 weeks I hope to be able to join a course at the beginning of Sept health permitting. I have a very stressful full time job and various health issues which means I have varying degrees of pain everyday hence mindfulness which was suggested to me by my nhs counsellor.
My question is what can I do to stop my mind wandering? As soon as I become aware I return to breath but it does it so often I wonder if I am getting the best out of my meditation, I do feel peaceful after meditation so I know it is helping me but wonder is this enough?

[Vixine]

You are doing all you need to do! We don't stop our minds from wandering, we just notice as soon as we can and go back to the breath. Sometimes it feels like you aren't doing it 'right' and it isn't working when your mind keeps wandering, but that is not the case. I get caught up in this sometimes too, and feel discouraged, but I have to remind myself it is normal and part of the process. Each time you notice and bring yourself back, you are being mindful. The more times it happens, the more you get to practice!

[JonW]

What Vixine said. Brilliantly put.
The mind will continue to wander. Even those who have been doing mindfulness for years will admit that their minds continue to wander. But increasingly we get less caught up in those thoughts.
Quite a few people on this forum have followed the Mark Williams/Danny Penman book which takes you through the 8-week course. I found that hugely beneficial. I also did the 8-week course in a group with a teacher and that gave my practice even more grounding.
Wishing you all good things, Jon

[FeeHutch]

Hello and welcome to our community
Minds wonder, that is what they do. Noticing and being gentle not angry with yourself as you become aware of that was one of the first parts of mindfulness I got to grips with. I have to remind myself of it even now and be aware of not striving for a certain experience when meditating and defining that as good.

We are all here with you and hopefully you will find companionship for the journey

[Lorna5]

Thank you so much for all your replies I am currently using a breathworks body scan cd and another mindfulness of breath download to help me, hoping to start yoga soon too ive found a class for people with health problems but need to give myself the final push to get there.

[JonW]

It sounds like you're warming nicely to mindfulness, Lorna5.
Though I gained so much from following the 8-week course in the Mark Williams/Danny Penman book, it was attending a course that made all the difference for me at the start, gave me such a good grounding, and I was blessed to have a great teacher in Nick Diggins.
Hope the course happens for you.
In the meantime, don't hesitate to ask us any questions. We're a friendly bunch here and will always do our best to help out in any way.
Good things, Jon