What are some of the learnings that resonated with you during this weekend's teaching?

Have any questions arisen for anyone around any aspect of the teaching?

Carmel

The case studies are like gold in creating "go to" references that will enable the competent dealing of real life scenarios

Mark

Going through the case histories ,the similarities and all the time looking to our Mindfulness tool box ,

Compassion with Margaret was very interesting and it highlighted the importance of self compassion for me ,

Thank you all 🙏💕

The whole weekend was spent growing our toolbox to allow us to practice and live at a higher vibration.  To be that light that truly changes things and quietens my mind to be alert to all that prevents me being our true self.  This will allow me to hear the nudges and messages that will come to guide me.  Martina your story of letting go of what is not working to allow new life to come and grow will stay with me.   This toolbox contains all we need to address different life issues. 

After the weekend I have revised and updated my flow activity list, paying more attention to what I love and revisiting my positivity time line to help the ongoing task of connecting with the positive.  I am going to revisit character strengths next.  We were reminded that everything is about deepening our attention and a suggestion was given that we could do a day, days or even weeks of being intentional about going deeper in all that we do.  Paying attention to present moment to lesson power of past/future worries.  Pausing, questioning and not believing all that I am thinking is part of my hourly check in with the help of the chime.  This has been my intention since the weekend and of course I have been constantly bringing myself back to that intention since. 

The class on compassion was lovely.  Being reminded of the difference between empathy and compassion was helpful - Empathy is the awareness of and sharing in the feelings of others and compassion is directing love to oneself and others.  Directly love to myself includes seeing how we treat/talk to ourselves and asking the useful question ‘is this making sense?’ 

These are my thoughts so far and hope not too long. 

I really found it magical this weekend and even though my wifi came in and out. I am at stage where i feel more relaxed at presenting the weeks presenttion and relaise it is so impirtant to be ourselves in it. The information is the same and i found i like to bring some time for relfection and like others said open up experience to group and ask quesitons is important in the delivery. thank for lovely session on self compassion and it cannot be sadi enough how the self talk can be so damaging. I loved the part where Annmarie mentioned to use QUACK quack as a way of humour to over come the harsh innner critic we some times have.

Thank you all

Mark

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHqxCgkpHWY/?igsh=MWpxYWJyOWRtaWV4bg==

I get it now, and its funny, everytime i walk up the stairs in my home and down the stairs, i come into the present moment of feeling the steps and ground beneath my feet. So the staircase is an automatic trigger for me to come into the present moment. Also brushing my teeth is now a trigger also for me. And my mindful walk with my mothers dog every morning for my mindful walk. But the understanding around this for me has sunk in for me deeper and now to increase all the other areas like eating, drinking and cooking. Might take a while for things to settle in my understanding, but then when it does, its fabulous. Positive emotion.

Anyway, we practiced the 'The Mindful Body' for a minute with our eyes closed in silence and then went on to practice Mindful Breathing (Kids version). It was lovely. We have commited to do this at least 5 days a week. Only takes 7 minutes. Emma went with with a little moving around on the chair, however in seeing her dad going with the process as I read the instructions she did remain still mostly. Amazed, as she is normally all over the chair in movement. So really looking forward to seeing how this goes over the next few weeks and months with an open and non judgemental mind. Curious, beginners mind and delighted to have these tools at hand.

I really enjoyed the self-compassion part which is an area I definitely need to work on more but throughout the week I found myself offering words of encouragement and self-compassion to myself to steer away from negative self talk. It's a work in progress but my awareness is greater now. Hope you are all having a wonderful week.

My informal practice has greatly increased of late..bizarrely, due to severe back pain. I am very aware of my body at all times and all the different sensations. Things I used to do habitually now have to be modified due to restricted movement. It normally takes me minutes to get dressed. At the moment it takes me ages...with very much a beginners mind to see how my body cooperates! I am using visualisation and distraction techniques like counting my blessings on my fingers at times when the pain is really bad. I keep visualising myself before my back injury at work and enjoy the memory of being pain free and feel the gratitude. I am trying to be self compassionate and kind to myself at the moment as day to day is challenging. The positivity Toolkit provides me with practical ways to keep away from unhelpful thinking styles. Revisiting my Flow Activities was lovely...I am trying to do them more. Being off work has given me more time on my hands, therefore my flow activities are important at the moment to keep me occupied. P

This week I am planning on doing two days back to back. Easier This way for me I think.

Learnings. People have commented on my behaviour on the planned day of MFN attention. Your more relaxed. Calmer. Quieter.

I found this powerful as I wasn't aware myself of being different.

I am now super aware of times that I am not being mindful or gettingcaught in a negative thought cycle.

Aisling x

I have intentionally put away my phone for periods of time every day and my intention is not to look at news items at the beginning of the day. One morning I slipped and read news reports. In my meditation later I noticed these same news items were playing out in my mind again. What can be playing in my mind when my observation is not awake?

Im also trying to increase my formal and informal mindful practice during the day .

I enjoyed the body scan this morning and felt very relaxed after it . Whilst queuing today I took the opportunity to really take in my surroundings and the people ahead of me .

I hope youve all had a lovely Mothers Day .

Have a good week everyone,

Catherine

I was getting Jude to do VAGKO but not calling it that, just getting him to be present to what he could see, hear, smell and touch. It was a really lovely trek.

The loop ends at farmer Harry's house where him and his wife have opened their door to walkers. He always has tea/coffee and their latest baking (rhubarb, apple tart or brownie's - all with cream, of course) ready to serve up to walkers. He loves the chats, the stories and the questions that people have for him. It's by donation and this Loop Walk just wouldn't be the same if you didn't pop in to Harry afterwards.

I was so happy arriving home because I really feel I put our course into practice and lived it fully.

At what week/stage of the course would the following be implemented and explained in detail?

How the Nervous System responds to Trauma (image)

Fight or Flight Response

Stress Responding Vs Reacting

The Introduction to Neuroscience (amygdala, hippocampus, the prefrontal cortex)

I was thinking of doing a section in week 6 explaining above before moving into Worry can sabotage mindfulness practice etc?

Any suggestions on this?

Thanks

Noel

yesterday was the first time I was out walking since I had been sick and I really had missed this . It was such a lovely day and just getting in all the VAKGO senses. I felt so good after doing same. Looking forward to getting out more this week and doing some more mindfulness.

Thank you

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Although some days are more mindful than others my overall intention to be mindful is really present.The teachings are certainly getting embedded more and more.This is allowing not just for better wellbeing but is also inspiring growth in areas like empathy and compassion,

Mindfulness is exactly like "Pringles " once you pop you cant stop"

Mark

We had a discussion in the WhatsApp group, and many people would love to meet up on the last day of the course. For those who can’t attend in person, would it be possible to arrange a Zoom session like in previous years?

Would you be able to post this on the discussion board to see if everyone is okay with meeting at Marino Institute of Education? We were also thinking of going for lunch or dinner afterward. Since we’re a big group, you would have a better idea of the day's timelines to help coordinate this.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Kind regards,
Deirdre

I think I am finally understanding the power of non-striving, of non-doing and just letting things be just as they are. Perhaps this is coming from having more self-compassion and positive self-talk.

I guess as your awareness and your practice deepens it all just clicks and comes together. Feeling very grateful for the calmness in my mind and inner peace.

I took this photo in Trim beside the river. For the last two days, I’ve been sitting there to meditate, and it’s been such a powerful experience. Being outdoors while meditating brought a whole new energy to it — peaceful, grounding, and freeing. I genuinely felt like a different person afterwards.

I find time beside the water always energises me and soothes away any worries.

Is there other concepts to include here ?

Thanks

Mark

I was away with family abroad for last few days as my sister is getting married this summer . She decided to do hen party in Spain and I found myself naturally including the mindfulness informally and formally. I made a habit to include my formal meditaiton in evening before bed time . I noticed in awareness simple things using my senses while away. The smell of food was obviously amazing as i love the spanish seafood. I noticed i ate my meal much slower and enjoyed it using my taste sense . But also the sounds of birds outside and the people chatting . The sight of the beuatiful summer colurs and flowers in small streets was captivating. Even though my wind did begin to wander i notcied it and used my senses to nring me back and awareness of my feet on ground whilst walking in company.

At times the conversation did go negative as this is life but i recognised this and did not add to the stories or even perhaps jump or make judgment. Lots more practice and plan is to get better every day and holidays time inlcuded xx

I have just watched the beginning of this. It's a hard watch so far but I feel for those who will teach to adolescents/parents it's a very contemporary topic right now.

I know from experience in Counselling of the negative effects (sometimes later on in life) from early/ use of cannibas.

For some of my clients weed use has had a devastating effect. There is a disclaimer on the video that it is not suitable for viewers under 18 y/o.

I have a few questions below on subject field above?

Hope all is good. I think above are related or can you explain in simple terms how we use in cbt and positive psychology.

Habit releasers like the changing of the seats is like waking up the mind and getting out of autopilot and pattern interrupts is something you do when you’re doing a negative habit like biting nails then before doing it your interrupting the pattern/habit grabbing a nail file for example.

Is habit releasers used in cbt and positive psychology and also pattern interrupts?

Saved Programs:

If 95% of our saved programs are from out unconscious mind then from your personal and professional experience how long does it take to unwire and unfire a saved software thought program and fire and wire a new one. People could have programs saved for decades so Im just curious if there is a researched answer to show how long it can take, I know everyone is unique and how long is a piece of string but just am curious to see if there is science on duration or your own experience on it. Also staying in the 5% or 1% conscious mind as much as possible shows that it’s challenging to implement but mindfulness and cbt and pp is the key to unlock it!

Thank you 🙏 😊

I really enjoyed listening to a video that was posted on the whats app group - JKZ talking about the foundational attitudes . I could listen to him all day . His voice is so relaxing .

decision to have no

This message is so powerful. Clouds are like thoughts and vice versa. We only get pure clarity when we can observe our thoughts in this way. Our true self is always available to us when we can choose one thought over the other and hop off that negative train of thought in a timely manner. Mindfulness gives us this power over the thought process.

Dr. Carlson in his book Stop thinking and Start Living advises us to choose our thoughts wisely in order to achieve healthy psychological functioning. This is a mental state from which we can live our lives free from the negativity bias and conditioned thinking.

Disconnected these last few weeks from social media platforms and needed just to reconnect more with nature and within

Embracing the present moment as much as I can-having so much gratitude in my heart right now for all that I Have in my life!!!

Was away these last 10 days-it was so empowering to step out, back and away from every day life...not a care in the world-the weather was awful-it didnt matter-it was truly a state of mind-I loved all of it-the good, the bad, the ugly

creating space really allowed what needed to be to come to the fore to be acknowledged and released with love

my mindful practise continues to grow and I am grateful for all the tools that I get to put to the test!

Every day is a school day, being in the present moment is such a beautiful gift

I am just back from a holiday in Lanzarote.  Feeling grateful for time to spend relaxing, walking, meditating and being in the moment.  We spent a bit of time exploring the life and work of artist Cezar Manrique.  He was a really inspirational backdrop to the holiday.  He reminded me of our own John O’Donoghue or Mary Oliver who found such beauty and mystery in the ordinary every day people and nature.  Anything he created he wanted it to blend in/work with the environment or to bring out the natural beauty of the landscape. There was lots to learn from him.   It was obvious that he was deeply connected to his intention. The life in him was described like the lava of the volcanos of Lanzarote - bubbling up and pouring out of him.

I have found recent weeks extremely difficult and I must say a challange trying to stay mindful,remain in gratitude and stay in the present without becoming over shadowed by grief and yet live life and be present to those around me.

A teenager I supported for many years took her own life a few weeks back and I am finding this most difficult .She had made contact only 2 days previous and clearly was very low and finding life most difficult.

I was left feeling many feelings and thinking many thoughts but I am now only in the place of showing self compassion.

Finding peace within myself and acceptance that I did my utmost to support her life's journey but I was hit with the realisation that when we are hit with something of great difficulty mindfulness in its entirity is most difficult.

I felt fake,I felt shadowed by a force bigger than me and i felt the need to mask on and to be all we need to be in the roles we play asmother,collegue,friend and keyworker to existing children I work with .

It is a joy to read all your inputs,reflections and thoughts so thankyou 🤗

I am so grateful I had the knowledge of how the brain works and all I have learned has massively help me in getting through this. its strange how you feel when left alone with just you and your thoughts and how the mind can become your own form of strength, I always say to people you cant serve two masters at the same time, You either serve Faith or Fear , I choose Faith and fully surrendered to the powers to be that all is well and out of this only good can come, Some days I would feel myself slipping and thinking what if this ,what if that and quickly I changed the thought and got back on track, Spent a lot of time in nature and meditation and just staying connected to myself, Life can be so much more if we just go with the flow and learn what is really important and what is best for us and how we should all learn that every day is a miracle and there is so much happening around us that we miss due to running around like crazy, Been in the here and now has become so important to me , Life is what we make of it but i feel its sad that something has to happen for us to really see that, Why wait be so Grateful everyday for all the little things, Roy had said when he was in hospital I would love to be at the beach today and have a bag of chips, at the stage he was 3 weeks in Hospital, When he was able to come home we drove from the Hospital to the beach and shared a bag of chips, He was so happy and full of Gratitude He had tears in his eyes, in the past Roy could of went to the beach any day but was always to busy and now he goes every day for a walk, He sees beauty in the smallest of things now, things that he would of missed before, Why wait for something like this to happen to change, I hope all you are well and enjoying life. Chat soon xxx

He gave me this...

if birds could talk and you asked them what time of day it is they would just say "the time is now".

The senses were tickled from all directions. Back home now and feeling relaxed and recharged

2. Margaret Forde is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Join Zoom Meeting Saturday 2pm to 5pm Meeting ID: 515 560 4465 

Password: 316000

Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5155604465?pwd=WVNtZUhvY3lXSCsrWXFxa3pYaHZYdz09

3. Annmarie Kennedy is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
   
   Topic: Annmarie Kennedy's Zoom Meeting
   Time: Sunday Apr 27, 2025 09:00 AM to 3pm
   Join Zoom Meeting
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_____________________________________________

Albert Einstein quote from the book Coming To Our Senses by JKZ

Wow....