Just One Thing - change your brain by the way you use it

Post here if you are just starting out with your mindfulness practice. Mindfulness is a really difficult concept to get your head around at first, and it might be that you would benefit from some help from others.
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Metaphysical Me
Posts: 169

Mon Dec 23, 2013 5:01 pm  

I don't mind either way - I'm just getting a head-start on "JOT" for my New Year's resolutions. :shock:

Seeing as it's probably mindfuller for you guys to finish the other book in peace first, why not go with a Jan 5th start for the new book...
I've been practising formal meditation for 15 years.
*~*~*~* I love keeping beginner's mind. *~*~*~*
Not a fan of mindfulness being taken tooo seriously.

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Metaphysical Me
Posts: 169

Tue Dec 24, 2013 1:43 pm  

Wow, just read a really powerful article about "being on your own side" (JOT's task for Week 1). I love that JOT is starting with this. It feels like this is at the heart of what my mid-life crisis is about.

"... My old career was lovely and interesting, but I was in it because I was being more loyal to my fears than to my dreams.

(I know. Ouch. It felt like an ouch when I first said those words to myself too.)

Whenever I am telling this story and I say, “I was being more loyal to my fears than to my dreams,” people perk up. They interrupt me and repeat the phrase, turning over each word. Or they write it down. Or they gasp and drop their pens. There’s some kind of “oh sh*t” moment.

Apparently I’m not the only one who lived this way: more loyal to my fears than to my dreams."


The rest of the article:

http://www.taramohr.com/2011/11/darling-we-went-for-it/
I've been practising formal meditation for 15 years.
*~*~*~* I love keeping beginner's mind. *~*~*~*
Not a fan of mindfulness being taken tooo seriously.

JonW
Team Member
Posts: 2897
Practice Mindfulness Since: 08 Dec 2012
Location: In a field, somewhere

Tue Dec 24, 2013 6:33 pm  

Personally speaking, I've got a few parties lined up between Xmas and New Year and may not be in a fit state to use my brain, let alone change it, during that period.
Early January would be better for me.
Cheers!
Jon, Hove
Jon leads the Everyday Mindfulness group meditation on Zoom every Monday/Friday, 6pm London-time. FREE.
Follow this link to join the WhatsApp group and receive notifications: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K5j5deTvIHVD7z71H3RIIk


JonW
Team Member
Posts: 2897
Practice Mindfulness Since: 08 Dec 2012
Location: In a field, somewhere

Tue Dec 24, 2013 9:15 pm  

Hi Yrivera,
Welcome to Everyday Mindfulness.
All good things,
Jon
Jon leads the Everyday Mindfulness group meditation on Zoom every Monday/Friday, 6pm London-time. FREE.
Follow this link to join the WhatsApp group and receive notifications: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K5j5deTvIHVD7z71H3RIIk

Christobel
Posts: 4

Wed Dec 25, 2013 10:47 am  

I would like to start the year off being present.
Thank you

:P


Steve wrote:Dear all

As some interest has been expressed in working through another book (following on from 'How to Train an Elephant'), I thought I'd start this post for anyone who'd like to work through Rick Hansons book "Just One Thing" nect year.

One reviewer says: You can change your brain by how you use it. In this lovely book the author has distilled a mixture of neuroscience, psychology and mindfulness into 52 simple yet powerful daily mental practices.

My suggestion is that we work through the chapters one week at a time starting in January 2014 (so we've all got time to get a copy of the book) or put one on our Christmas list!

Anyone who's interested, please just post on here to say 'hi'.

Steve

PS The 'How to train an elephant' post does not need to stop - anyone who wants to carry on with it (or work through that book for the first time next year) is very welcome to do so (and, of course, we've still got a few weeks to complete this by the end of 2013)

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Steve
Posts: 277
Location: Oxford, UK

Wed Dec 25, 2013 11:54 am  

Why don't we start on 29 Dec as arranged but spend 2 weeks on the first chapter while we get everyone on board (and invite more to take part)?

Happy Xmas eveeryone!
Steve (from phone)

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FeeHutch
Posts: 1010
Practice Mindfulness Since: 01 Mar 2012
Location: Steel City
Contact:

Wed Dec 25, 2013 1:46 pm  

OK with me. I will be waiting till the 5th though but a great way to make sure we all end up in the same place in the next couple of weeks :)
“Being mindful means that we take in the present moment as it is rather than as we would like it to be.”
Mark Williams

http://adlibbed.blogspot.co.uk/p/mindfulness-me-enjoy-silence.html
Find me on twitter - @feehutch

Shum
Posts: 2

Thu Dec 26, 2013 3:25 am  

Brothers and Sisters ... Count Me In ... Yearlong Journey

My name is Shum; I am your brother.

I have ordered the One thing and hope to have it by 28 December and start the gift of new year on 29 December for the first time.

I found the worksheet very helpful.

I thank you for all these resources and more importantly for this fraternity team.

For years in my adult conscious living and some practice of meditation I believed in the "need of only one thing" (Luke 10:42). I have seen its effects. Now, I am positioned for a yearlong focus on it.

Thank you,

Shum
There is need of only one thing (Luke 10:42)

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Metaphysical Me
Posts: 169

Thu Dec 26, 2013 9:17 am  

Hi Shum :)

Welcome on board!
I've been practising formal meditation for 15 years.
*~*~*~* I love keeping beginner's mind. *~*~*~*
Not a fan of mindfulness being taken tooo seriously.

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