Getting Started with MBSR

[DaveAngel]

Hi BS,

I read this, your post on MBSR and Traditional Buddhism and your post on Wing Chun with great interest. We share a few historical similarities. I am from London, I went to college in Swansea and loved my time amongst the Welsh people. I was already into the dance music scene but through myself into that even more there. I've got halfway through the Wing Chun course twice now (once with Simon Lau) and am strongly thinking of going back for a third time

I wanted to ask your advice on how to get started in MBSR. I am the kind of person that likes to learn from others. I do fine with books, but I think I would do better with a class. Perhaps you know of good teachers in here in London from your activity in groups such as these despite being so far away? If not I am sure from all the searching you have already done in life you could offer me some tips. I was looking at this course: http://www.mbsr.co.uk/events.php (Michael Chaskalso or Jane Brendgen). I don't mind paying £295.00, but don't want to throw the money away as I feel I did with TM.

Thanks,
DA

[JonW]

Hello DaveAngel.
I can recommend an excellent teacher in Brighton if you were prepared to make the trek to the seaside. Name of Nick Diggins. I attended his 8-week course earlier this year. I cannot recommend him highly enough.

[JonW]

ps. Nick charges half that amount. £150.
http://mindfulnessforwellbeing.co.uk

[FeeHutch]

I am moving a discussion about starting MBSR here from the Mindfulness and Me section.

[BioSattva]

Hi Dave,

I'm glad you enjoyed the posts. I haven't done the MBSR course myself - yet. I intend to do one as soon as I get back to the UK. Sorry I can't be of any help there - I just use the guided meditations and literature to keep the zen practice I had established previously 'on track', so to speak. I do think I wasted a lot of time messing around with traditional zen stuff before I settled with the MBSR approach - in terms of the basic, formal practice, that is.

There are plenty of people on this forum who will know good enough MBSR courses and teachers, it seems, like JonW, etc. I'm sure the teacher is important, but more important is to do it and get started in my opinion - there are enough resources (including this wonderful forum!) to keep one afloat after the 8 weeks.

All the best,

Bio.

[DaveAngel]

Thanks guys.

Nick does look like a great teacher. Brighton might be a stretch but I'll look into it.

Thanks again!