ST PETER'S CENTRE FOR MINDFULNESS AND SPIRITUALITY

Testimonies

Thank you very much for running the course. At first I found it hard to work out what it was all about but by the time we got to the third session and especially the last one I began to grasp how mindfulness could influence the way I live. The handouts are really useful and I plan to read them again from time to time as I try to put mindfulness into practice. I feel I am at the beginning of a journey and the course has just opened the gate: there is a long way to go!

As someone quite elderly the course and the concept of mindfulness reawakened

a sense of purpose in my life which I thought had gone forever.

Alison

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Thank you so much for arranging this course.  It was a well thought-out and structured way of taking someone who had no real knowledge of mindfulness (me) from zero to having a much better understanding of it.  The only thing stopping me is more practise which is now up to me to incorporate into my life using your course as an example. As they say,

"Practise Makes Perfect!" Although I suspect that in my case good enough will have to be good enough.

Ela

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Thank you very much for a very informative and engaging course, it was very helpful and I hope the following sessions also continue to help us with our diving into this fascinating world. I have found it a good mixture of theory and practise, where we have learnt a great deal about the theoretical aspect of things, but have also been able to put some of the concepts into practise. I do agree with most of the participants that doing group sessions can be very helpful, not so much for the group aspect of things, but I suspect because of the guidance you provide.

Pablo

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Firstly many thanks for running this – it has helped me in a number of ways   

I came to it without any prior knowledge, either practical or theoretical so there was a lot of new terminology and concepts to grapple with. I found it very useful to have the notes at the end of each session. I also found it useful to have ‘mindfulness’ considered from the teachings of several different faiths and none.  

I thought I was going to find the exercises a bit daunting in such a reactively large group but that wasn’t the case. I found the ‘control of the mind’ exercise very helpful and the ‘gratitude journal’. At the end of the 4 sessions I realise I have really only ‘scratched the surface’ of mindfulness and am far from being able to achieve ‘detachment’ and beyond. As a Christian I found the explanation of Ignatian spirituality resonated particularly and would like to know more about it.

Many thanks again for helping me take some initial steps into ‘mindful’ exploration.

Cathie

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Although I was familiar with the body exercise it was very good to do this in a group and particularly to learn about the Buddhist Tradition and introduction to Ignatius spirituality -  much to assimilate.

Thank you so much for a very helpful course.

Susan

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Firstly thank you so much for the Mindfulness Course which I really enjoyed. I have tried to do the Ignatian exercises in the past and used the body  check when I worked in the hospice as a way of helping very anxious patients or relatives stop for a moment so that they could then think more clearly.

For me it is so good to have a legitimate means of stopping and clearing my mind as a means to prayerful listening. Also as a way of considering difficult or complicated situations. I don't find it easy and look forward to attending another course in the future and shall practise in the meantime although I find it so much easier in a group.

But thank you again and for your enthusiasm.

I think has the potential to introduce people to the Christian faith which is what's needed in my opinion.

Jane

I wanted to improve consciousness with Spirit and achieve internal harmony, inner peace which I have!

Through a fascinating presentation of the Buddhist/Christian inter-weaving.

Heather

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Elise and Vanessa are a symbiotic combination of skills and approach. Jointly they offered such an engaging philosophical, psychological and creative session; quite a feat indeed.

Alongside which were the practical elements which I felt fused very well. 

It was fascinating to be part of a diverse group of people who so quickly connected and communicated. There were some wondrous pieces of writing and it was such a privilege and joy to see people’s confidence grow within such a short space of time. I would very much like to go on another of the workshops;

I think one two-hour session is not enough and would gladly pay to attend several sessions in a row.

JF