Modern life is stressful and much of our downtime is spent trying to switch off our busy minds and fabricate positive mood states; we may put on yet another boxset, eat some more chocolate or pour another glass of wine. This approach never keeps us happy for very long.

Mindfulness is not about surrounding ourselves in a tranquil environment in an attempt to create inner peace or some kind of special, spiritual state. Mindfulness is about being with what is and to that end we can practice anywhere, in any clothing and in any position that allows us to be alert and comfortable.  As you will come to learn through practice, mindfulness is not about getting rid of thoughts or only keeping the good ones. In mindfulness meditation we practice not getting involved with our thoughts, bodily sensations or feelings. Less reactive to what is happening within and around us, we can build inner resilience and a freedom that comes with having the ability to deliberately respond to our world, instead of habitually reacting to it.