MINDFULNESS FIRST AID.
(Or what to do when the going gets tough).
There is a saying that the Buddha’s bumper sticker is “Shit Happens”. What this means of course is that it doesn’t matter how good a person you are or how hard you try to be caring and compassionate in the world difficult events are going to happen around you. In moments of stress and difficulty it is very easy to lose our mindfulness and react instinctively – often to our later regret. So here are a few suggestions for practice that may help you in a moment of need: –
1. Practise being aware of what is taking place around you and fully acknowledge your feelings whenever you encounter a difficulty.
2. Practise breathing with difficulties and use coping space strategies (see the 3 minute breathing space page).
3. Practise coming back into the body to give yourself a break from thinking and to acknowledge feelings of tension and stress.
4. Practise being kind to yourself and give yourself a break from time to time. Use self-compassion practices on a regular basis.
