“Ten Thousand Flowers in Spring” by Wu-Men

Ten thousand flowers in spring, the moon in autumn,
a cool breeze in summer, snow in winter.
If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things,
this is the best season of your life.

This poem by Wu–Men (a classic Zen poet who lived from 1183-1260 in China) is a wonderful metaphor on how our mind can find some peace when we let go of the constant inner chatter. Throughout the last couple of years and especially through 2020 and the pandemic, I have found myself blending Mindfulness and Art Therapy more and more in my practice. Each counselling session starts with grounding, breathing exercises, followed by drawing images and presentations of thoughts and images that we see in our minds. I continue to support my clients to train the brain to focus on clarity, renewal, calm, resilience and joy, so they can live the more centred and compassionate life most of us want.

Mindfulness helps you to pay attention to the thoughts that are useful to you for living in accordance with your values and letting go of the focus on thoughts that are unhelpful.

Would you like to become more mindful?

Here are 3 things to consider about your thoughts:

• Become aware of your thoughts; notice if they are healthy thoughts or if they are
  unhealthy. This process helps us to detach from the thought and also to see it as what it is, just a thought.

• Be mindful of your thoughts. Being able to notice when we are lost in thoughts, and knowing how to come back to a focusing point which is your or anchor, is very important.

• Observe and investigate your beliefs. You don’t have to believe your thoughts, they are just thoughts! But it’s important to enquire about the thought. Ask yourself: what is my core belief around this thought?

Practise these three steps and you’re on the way to a more mindful YOU!

And if you need help, I am here for you.