My 8-week Mindful Journey

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Part 1: Midway Through the MBSR Journey

Embarking on an 8-week adventure with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has been eye-opening. 

Led by the mindfulness expert, Hashim Hashim, MBSR was all about learning to be present in the moment, finding resilience in the face of stress, and navigating life with a clearer mind and powerful tools.

Half way through the course, in our fourth session, we delved deeper into self-care and engaged in intentional experiential exercises.

Reflecting on stress and its cognitive and physiological symptoms, the session fostered a sense of engagement and attunement to our well-being.

Here's a snapshot of what I've learned in these initial 4 weeks:

🌟 Learnings from the First 4 Weeks:

  • Successfully incorporated daily meditation into my routine.
  • Became mindful of thoughts and feelings as they arise.
  • Identified and broke free from autopilot mode.
  • Initiated a gratitude journaling practice.
  • Started journaling my unpleasant experiences.
  • Engaged in daily reflections.
  • Practiced deep breathing techniques.
  • Experienced guided body scans for increased awareness.
  • Realized that my previous yoga practice lacked mindfulness.

Part 2: Reflecting on the Complete MBSR Journey

Completing the 8 week transformative journey exceeded my expectations, teaching me the invaluable skill of being present and cultivating mindfulness in all aspects of my life.

I initially joined to build the habit of mindfulness and meditation, yet this course guided me towards profound insights.

🙌 Highlights of the 8-Week Journey:

  • Discovered new approaches to navigate life's challenges.
  • Learned to find calm and clarity amid stress.
  • Became more present, finding joy in simple things.
  • Attuned to sounds during walks, fostering presence.
  • Improved self-awareness, connecting with every muscle.
  • Increased awareness of my body and its signals.
  • Enhanced presence in conversations.

🧘‍♂️ The silent retreat, once a challenge, became a precious gift.

Disconnecting from life's distractions allowed me to connect with myself, away from anyone and anything.

Take home message: 

I totally recommend this course to anyone eager to unlock a new level of presence and discover fresh approaches to life with clarity and purpose. The impact is transformative and well worth the journey! 🌿

If you find yourself struggling to notice or cope with difficult emotions, don't hesitate to reach out and send me a message or an email on kindmindbydana@gmail.com 😊

Yours truly,

Dana Berri

Kindness is not just a virtue, it's a way of life. 

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