The Aurora Mindfulness Programme
This programme is based on the Kabat-Zinn, MBSR programme (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction).
The course follows the format of eight two-hour sessions once a week. Members of the course should be prepared to put in at least an hour a day of practice homework, with the aid of the CDs provided.
The main techniques learned are the bodyscan (a deep relaxation), and some gentle yoga and sitting meditation, which is introduced gradually. There are also psycho-educational sessions on perception, stress reacting and responding, and the application of mindfulness interpersonally.
One innovation that the therapist has brought to the programme is the integration of a taster session in Genpo Roshi’s Big Mind process, which, in revealing the ultimately spacious nature of the mind, can allow participants to become more relaxed about their individual foibles!