Last hope...

[bohboh]

I think you are all right, i need to stop googling, i have started to focus on Mindf medititation more.

I have started doing this http://www.getsomeheadspace.com/ which has a free version. Anyone else used it?

[Gareth]

I know that there are people on the forum who have used this and had great benefit. All I would say is that if you don't get on with this, there are a variety of ways that you can practise mindfulness.

Keep talking to us and we will help you to the best of our abilities.

[JonW]

Yes, what Gareth said.
I hope none of our comments come across as critical. We all appreciate the truth of the saying that mindfulness is "simple, but not easy." And some take to it easier than others. Others maybe have to apply themselves more. Perhaps that's a matter of timing as much as anything.
Wishing you well,
Jon

[bohboh]

Far from it , its nice to have people in a similar boat to talk to.
I watched this earlier, was nice to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7OGY1Jxp3o

[JonW]

Thanks for that clip, Bohboh.
It made me cry. In a good way. So beautiful.

[Rowantree]

Woops, this post was put in another thread by mistake and it should be here - sorry!

Well now, I can relate to this.
I am 60 and have been struggling with anxiety and depression for decades, on and off. It's got worse during the last 10 years and I don't know why because my life has become easier, after a very difficult time family-wise for various reasons.
I have nothing to complain about; I have much to be thankful for, including a home, enough to eat and an OH who is loving and supportive. I know I should be able to appreciate all I have and that life is short. I want most of all to be able to do this and to live in the moment, but I am waking up with severe anxiety every day and struggle with depression still. I feel such a failure. I have tried the 8 week Mindfulness course several yea\rs ago but once it finished I found it difficult to keep practising and gave up. I have made several attempts to start again, and that's what I am doing now, but like the previous poster I suppose I was hoping it will help take away my painful feelings and I know it won't do that. I am currently 9 months into a therapy programme which is making me feel so dreadful that I have decided to pull the plug on it - it's getting me to do the very things that make me worse - over-analysing my feelings, my motives for everything and my life. What I need is to be able to step back a little and see things in perspective and without such fear but the therapists insist that it's not the best way and that painful feelings are telling us our lives need to change (not a helpful thing to say to someone already tortured with self-doubt). Nevertheless I am working my way through the Headspace programme on my own (currently halfway through Take 15) and also doing short body scan meditations most days. Is there anything else I could do, or is this enough for the time being?
Rowantree

Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Feb 01, 2014 6:32 pm

[bohboh]

I have been doing the headspace app and find it very useful.
Its not an instant fix, after doing it for several weeks, i noticed that my outlook changing. Oddly, it was my family who noticed it working. I was more present, up for doing things, engaging with family, etc. Hearing gave me the motivation to keep going with it.

Stick with it, it does help. It just takes time.

[Steve]

I agree with the suggestions others have made: it is usually far better to learn mindfulness in a class than from a book, the support of the class leader and fellow participants in helping you keep going with the practice, the realisation that many people have a wide range of problems, that others experience many of the same things as you do (whatever their particular challenges) and the mutual support and understanding this can provide is immense. The sharing of experiences in an online community such as this an example of this but face to face is usually even better.

I'm sure a lot can be gained on your own by reading etc (I both read and attended a class) but its very much like trying to learn to drive without getting in a car or without a driving instructor.

Even though I am fortunate enough not to suffer any serious issues, I learn and gain a lot from reading about other's challenges and issues and am grateful to all those who share their problems wit this community.

Steve