Clearing a space
Watch this space for future course dates!
We all can find ways of ignoring thoughts and feelings, or ways of pushing them to the side. In this course, we will try to find ways to pay attention, in a kind and friendly way, to these thoughts and feelings so we can experience some release and clear a space.
From time to time, we all to need to clear a space to allow us to get on with our daily tasks. This can be hard when many things – thoughts, feelings, anxieties, relationships, niggles at the pit of your stomach – all compete for attention. It can feel overwhelming, frustrating and paralysing.
We all can, and do, find ways of ignoring thoughts and feelings or ways of pushing them to the side only to find that they pop into mind when we least want them to – maybe when we sit down to read a book or look at that blank screen or page. We can also find ways to pay attention, in a kind and friendly way, to these thoughts and feelings so we can experience some release.
This group will look at ways we can pay attention to how we feel in a general sense as well as on particular thoughts, feelings and issues without going into them in detail that helps us experience a sense of release or shift.
To begin with, we will use a framework based on ideas from focusing, mindfulness, relaxation and meditation with the following six steps: clearing a space, developing a felt sense, getting a handle which is a phrase, a word or an image that resonates between the this word and the feeling, then asking about it and receiving whatever comes in a friendly manner.
In this way, with a little practice and the help of the group, you can develop your own way of paying attention to your inner world. To help with this process, we will also look at some methods for self-soothing using your imagination and body awareness, creating an oasis for troubled times.
We will not be going into personal difficulties so you will not be asked to discuss personal problems; rather we will be concentrating on how you can feel more attuned to and accepting of feelings and thoughts. You might find you can separate out concerns and get a bit of distance from them – neither too close that you are overwhelmed; nor too far away that you are out of touch with them.
There will be three 75 minute sessions conducted by a SCAS counsellor.
