Mindfulness training teaches us how to settle our minds. While the mind is unsettled, it is distracted, often missing out on what is happening in the present, and drawing us repeatedly into thoughts about the future (such as planning or worrying) or mulling over the past. But this thinking mind doesn’t create the security we wish for, and often perpetuates anxiety, regret or other negative states. We cannot control our thoughts, but we can work with bringing an attitude of kindness and acceptance towards ourselves, and with learning to be in the present moment more and more, both in sitting meditation and in mindful movement and every day life. This progressive training results in a deepening awareness and compassion. We also learn techniques to deal with difficult situations and emotional states, and that help us to become more resilient to the ups and downs of everyday life.

This course was developed by Rob Nairn (who has explored and taught mindfulness over the last forty years) and a group of Mindfulness Africa trainers. Facilitators go through a four year training period.