Hello...and feeling let down!

[JonW]

And though Mr. Buddha is too modest to mention it, he has published a most excellent book about mindfulness that I would highly recommend.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Happiness-How-H ... ppy+buddha

[larorra]

all the kind folks in the forum seem to have summed it all up, and I hope that the replies have been of help to you. All I can add is from a personal note, mindfulness has helped me cope with stress better after a 5 month period off work and I do deal with it better nowadays, but having mindfulness in my life doesnt mean that i dont have bad days and theres days when I think I could have handled a situation better, we are all human after all and will make mistakes and negative thoughts will creep in but on the whole I deal with stuff alot better now. This summer I havent practiced as much as I did in the winter, its been a whole lot more "informal" outdoors and walking etc but I am getting back on track now and will probably repaeat the 8 week course in the Autumn. Good luck to you with your issues and your practice.