Mindfulness Association

Mindfulness Association Welcome to the Mindfulness Association. In-depth, Mindfulness & Compassion for life. Beginners to MSc

The Mindfulness Association Community Interest Company delivers Mindfulness training at all levels up to Masters Degree Level, and runs a Mindfulness and Compassion teacher training programme with the University of Aberdeen, and the University of the West of Scotland in London. The Mindfulness Association is a non-profit organisation with altruistic aims directed towards sharing the benefits of mindfulness with all of those who are interested and for the benefit of all. We support free mindfulness courses delivered by The Everyone Project Charity. Our objectives are to offer high quality trainings in mindfulness and compassion which help people to establish a regular and effective mindfulness practice and which help people to bring mindfulness into all aspect of their daily lives. We aim to make our trainings accessible to as many people as possible and in particular we try to keep the prices of our courses affordable and to offer our courses at different locations around the UK and in Ireland. Our comprehensive training pathway delivers the teaching of Mindfulness and Compassion with the aim of meeting the growing demand within the UK for mindfulness teachers. All our training adheres to the directives of BAMBA (British Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches). The Mindfulness Association is also working with the University of Aberdeen in the ongoing development and delivery of its Masters Programme in Mindfulness Studies. The aim is to provide students with a high quality Masters level training in Mindfulness, Compassion and Insight which can then be applied by the students in their different professional settings in order to promote physical and mental wellbeing. The board members of the Mindfulness Association are: Rob Nairn, Choden (Sean McGovern) (Director), Heather Regan-Addis (Director), Norton Bertram-Smith (Director) and Vin Harris. The Mindfulness Association offers many of its courses at Samye Ling Tibetan Centre and associated centres throughout the UK, with the aim of supporting their charitable work. To this end the Mindfulness Association is one of the founder members of Samye College.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Main Image by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

17/09/2026

**Join us for the exploration of mindfulness and poetry**

Mystical Poetry Retreat Day – 11th October
With Fay Adams

If you are a fan of mindfulness and poetry, then this is for you!

One of the things mindfulness and awareness teaches us is that sometimes our experience can be difficult to put into words. Sometimes everyday language can feel insufficient, and this is where poetry comes to our aid!

Poetry allows us to explore the human experience through imagery, metaphor and expressive language. And vice versa, mindfulness allows us to more deeply experience poetry!

Mindfulness enables us to attune to a more subtle experience of poetry in the moment. When we listen to ourselves as we listen to a poem, we may encounter surprises, insights and movements within that we didn’t know were possible.

Take some time to allow poetry and mindfulness to open your eyes.

If you would like to attend the retreat day, click here
https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/course/mystical-poetry-practice-day/

And if you would like to read our mindful poetry blogs, click here https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/poetry-and-blogs/mindfulness-poetry/

16/09/2026

Neurodiversity-Informed Mindfulness Teaching Weekend
Online with Elanor Kortland
20th – 22nd November
**For qualified Mindfulness teachers**

This weekend is for mindfulness teachers who wish to deepen their capacity to teach in a way that is inclusive, flexible and responsive to neurodiverse participants.

**Why You Should Join This Training**

Expand Your Reach and Retention: Discover why standard practices miss neurodivergent participants and adapt your teaching to boost engagement.

Strengthen Your Teaching Foundations: Refine your core skills to become a more responsive, flexible, and attuned MBLC teacher.

Master Inclusive Inquiry: Gain practical tools to navigate rejection sensitivity, alexithymia, and varied sensory needs.

Empower Participant Choice: Move beyond one-size-fits-all by offering diverse anchors like movement, sound, or nature.

Build Authentic Practice Spaces: Create a mask-free environment where stimming and diverse communication styles are truly welcomed.

For more information, click here https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/course/neurodiversity-informed-mindfulness/

14/09/2026

Become a Member and join the Mindfulness Association Community!
Try our £10 Introductory Membership!

Maintaining a personal practice is a journey, but it doesn’t have to be a solitary one. When you join our membership, you aren’t just gaining access to resources; you are joining a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to living with heart and presence.

Whether you are just beginning or have been practicing for years, our membership provides the structure and expert guidance needed to sustain and deepen your practice.

Benefits of Membership

There are so many benefits of becoming a mindfulness association member beyond the community that will be supportive as you go through your practise journey.

You have access to daily guided sessions of all is an extensive resource library there are expert masterclasses by our teachers covering all aspects of mindfulness practise and theory. You will also have two free retreat weekends led by our experienced teaching team that help deepen your practice whilst building your sangha!

There are monthly live online teachings with fresh insights and guided sessions with our expert tutors to keep you inspired.

You will also receive a weekly newsletter and “Weekly Digest” featuring new teachings, guided practices, and the latest news.

This and so much more is available for members of the Mindfulness Association.

If you would like more info click here https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/about/mindfulness-association-membership/

13/09/2026

Did you know that when we practice mindfulness, we are physically remodelling our brains?!?

Thanks to neuroplasticity, consistent practice alters the structure of your grey matter to build emotional resilience and mental clarity.

Here is what happens to your brain structure through regular practice of mindfulness:

1. Shrinks the Amygdala
The amygdala acts as the brain's "stress centre," triggering our fight-or-flight response. Mindfulness physically reduces this region, lowering stress, anxiety and helping you stay grounded when life gets chaotic.

2. Thickens the Prefrontal Cortex
This area governs executive function, including decision-making, focus, and emotional regulation. Mindfulness thickens the cortical layer here, which directly sharpens your concentration and problem-solving skills under pressure.

3. Thickens the Hippocampus
Crucial for learning and memory, the hippocampus also governs perspective-taking. Mindfulness thickens this area, boosting your capacity to retain information and helping you view challenging situations from healthier angles.

4. Calms the Default Mode Network
The Default Mode Network (DMN) is active when the mind wanders, often leading to worry and rumination. Mindfulness quiets this network, reducing the frequency exhausting overthinking and anchoring you in the present.

By practicing mindfulness, you are quite literally rewiring your brain for a calmer, more emotionally intelligent and settled life!

12/09/2026

Feeling tense, stressed or disconnected from your body?

What if movement could help you slow down, reconnect and cultivate greater kindness towards yourself?

Join Jacky Seery for a gentle and accessible MINDFUL QIGONG course combining, mindfulness, qigong, tai chi, yoga and compassion practices, starting 10th November.

Together, we’ll explore how mindful movement can help you become more aware of what’s happening in your body — including tension, sensations and emotions — and learn ways to meet these experiences with greater awareness and kindness.

On the course, you’ll explore:

• Gentle Qi Gong, Tai Chi and Yoga movements
• Meridian stretches inspired by Chinese Medicine
• Compassion practices woven into mindful movement
• Mindfulness practices between sitting and movement
• Simple movements you can practise at your desk or in a chair
• How to bring greater awareness to everyday activities such as walking, running, cycling and swimming
• Short, practical sequences you can easily incorporate into everyday life

No previous experience is needed. You don’t have to have completed the previous Mindful Qigong course — everyone is welcome.

This course offers an opportunity to slow down, move gently and reconnect with your body.

Led by Jacky Seery, who brings over 10 years of training in Qi Gong, Yoga and Tai Chi together with her MSc in Mindfulness.

Book your place today - https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/course/mindful-qigong-compassion/

Many people taking up mindfulness struggle with the quiet fear that they are "doing it wrong". Sitting down to meditate ...
10/09/2026

Many people taking up mindfulness struggle with the quiet fear that they are "doing it wrong".

Sitting down to meditate often unleashes a torrent of thoughts and distractions, convincing beginners that they are failing. This self-doubt is frequently fuelled by the illusion that others are naturally better at achieving instant inner peace. Comparing one's own chaotic mental reality to someone else’s curated calm transforms what should be a refuge into another arena for anxiety and self-criticism.

In truth, mindfulness is a deeply personal, non-linear journey rather than a competitive race. There is no finish line to cross, nor is the goal to empty the mind completely; rather, it is about recognising thoughts as they arise and gently returning your focus without judgement. A straying mind is not a failure—it is simply human. Reclaiming this perspective strips away the pressure to perform, allowing the practice to become a genuine vehicle for self-compassion

09/09/2026

MINDFULNESS BASED SPIRITUAL PRACTICE COURSE
with CHODEN and VIN HARRIS
starts 3rd November

Ready to take your meditation practice beyond basic stress relief? 🧠

Mindfulness has earned its place in modern life for good reason—backed by extensive neuroscience and scientific research, it’s a proven tool for lowering stress, sleeping better, and restoring balance. But as neuroscience confirms the profound way mindfulness re-wires the brain, many practitioners are left asking: is there something deeper missing?

That’s where Second Generation Mindfulness begins.Our upcoming course, Mindfulness Based Spiritual Practice (MBSP), sits at the absolute forefront of this wave. It bridges the gap between cutting-edge scientific understanding and the rich depth of traditional wisdom—offering a truly immersive experience without requiring any leaps of faith.

Guided by the Mindfulness Association—pioneers in compassionate, evidence-informed mindfulness training—you’ll learn directly from two of the field's leading experts:

🧘‍♂️ Choden – Tibetan Buddhist monk, author, and University of Aberdeen fellow who co-wrote Mindful Compassion alongside evolutionary psychologist Prof. Paul Gilbert.

🌿 Vin Harris – Co-founder of the Mindfulness Association with decades of experience guiding practitioners to integrate mindfulness into real-life growth.

Whether you want to nourish your long-term spiritual aspirations or simply deepen your daily practice, MBSP offers the expert guidance and depth you’ve been searching for.

Click here for more info https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/course/mindfulness-based-spiritual-practice/ British Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches

07/09/2026

**Join us for the exploration of mindfulness and poetry**

Mystical Poetry Retreat Day – 11th October
With Fay Adams

If you are a fan of mindfulness and poetry, then this is for you!

One of the things mindfulness and awareness teaches us is that sometimes our experience can be difficult to put into words. Sometimes everyday language can feel insufficient, and this is where poetry comes to our aid!

Poetry allows us to explore the human experience through imagery, metaphor and expressive language. And vice versa, mindfulness allows us to more deeply experience poetry!

Mindfulness enables us to attune to a more subtle experience of poetry in the moment. When we listen to ourselves as we listen to a poem, we may encounter surprises, insights and movements within that we didn’t know were possible.

Take some time to allow poetry and mindfulness to open your eyes.

If you would like to attend the retreat day, click here https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/course/mystical-poetry-practice-day/

UPCOMING COURSES - https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/mindfulness-courses/all-courses-and-retreats/Pause. Breathe. R...
06/09/2026

UPCOMING COURSES - https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/mindfulness-courses/all-courses-and-retreats/

Pause. Breathe. Reconnect.

Whether you’re looking to build a steady daily habit or deepen an existing practice, our upcoming mindfulness courses offer a doorway in—no matter where you are on your journey.

Mindfulness isn't one-size-fits-all, which is why our upcoming term explores the practice through so many rich, transformative lenses:

• The 4-Part Pathway: Our Mindfulness Level 1: Begin Here and Mindfulness Level 2: Compassion are steps on our core foundational framework designed to guide you step-by-step from beginner's mind to grounded, everyday awareness.

• Mindful Movement: Reconnect with your body through gentle, intentional motion that releases stored tension and brings you back to the present via our Yoga, Qigong and Meditation weekend

• Compassion: Soften your inner critic and cultivate deep, authentic warmth for yourself and the world around you through our Compassion in Action weekend.

• Poetry & Reflection: Use the power of evocative word and imagery as a contemplation tool to unlock deeper self-awareness through our Mystical Poetry Retreat Day.

• Spiritual Practice: Explore the traditional, contemplative roots of mindfulness to nourish your spirit and connect with something greater via our groundbreaking Mindfulness Based Spiritual Practice course.

Which pathway is calling to you this season?

Click here for all of our upcoming courses - https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/mindfulness-courses/all-courses-and-retreats/

04/09/2026

Our mini meditation, "The Feel of September," is designed as a peaceful, mindful gap in your day—a quiet space to step away from the noise and ground yourself in the beauty of the changing season. Whether you have five minutes during your morning coffee break or need a mid-afternoon reset, take a deep breath with us and give yourself 5 minutes of mindful presence.

If you would like to try more of our mini meditations then here is the full list:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn39xstlQJ4s3c4iD-ytUrMWXEErQy4JP

Also, we offer weekday free live online meditations at 10:00 and 19:00 (UK time). If you would like to join the sit then click below – ALL ARE WELCOME!

https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/free-resources/free-daily-online-mindfulness-meditation/

Address

Edinburgh

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mindfulness Association posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The School

Send a message to Mindfulness Association:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category