Diploma in Mindfulness and Well-Being

Course details

The Diploma in Mindfulness Studies at City Colleges is offered as both a theoretical and practical introduction to mindfulness practice and to the rapidly growing field of mindfulness-based approaches used in healthcare, science and in wider society.

The term ‘mindfulness’ relates to a variety of meditative practices involving the deliberate focus of our attention, non-judgmentally, in the present moment as well as to the quality of the awareness that is cultivated in this way.

When mindful awareness is brought to a stressful experience, it allows the possibility of setting aside habitual reactive tendencies, and instead responding to the challenging experience with more clarity and ease. The practice of mindfulness can also bring an increased awareness of the joyful moments of our lives, moments that we often miss when we are lost in thoughts about the past or the future.

Studies have shown that committed participation in a mindfulness programme can result in lasting positive effects on health and well-being.

As mindfulness practice is by nature experiential, the City Colleges Diploma will include participation in the eight week course in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction ( MBSR ), as devised by Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn.

Each three-hour course session will be pided into two components:

• a presentation on a topic related to mindfulness for one hour’s duration
• The MBSR programme, delivered over the ten week duration of the course, with each session lasting two hours.

The MBSR course will introduce participants to different forms of mindfulness practice including sitting meditation, body awareness and gentle mindful movement. Guided CDs are provided. These classes will also include experiential exercises and group dialogue and reflection.

Whilst our coverage of relevant theory is important, the daily mindfulness practice is key to developing a personal insight into and relationship with the practice and the qualities associated with mindfulness. It’s strongly recommended that you can devote 45 minutes a day to the guided formal meditation practice.

Course Outline

The theoretical aspects covered in the City Colleges Diploma in Mindfulness Studies will include:

• The background to mindfulness as it is commonly practiced today – the contemplative traditions and Buddhist psychology and the development of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
• The seven attitudinal foundations of mindfulness – as identified by Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn
• Using the mind to change the brain – mindfulness and brain science, ‘neuroplasticity’ and how meditation changes the brain
• Humans under stress – learned helplessness and burnout
• Mindfulness and compassion
• The four foundations of mindfulness in Buddhist psychology
• Applications of mindfulness 1: Mindfulness and addiction
• Applications of mindfulness 2: Mindful eating and mindfulness for children
• Current research into mindfulness
• Mindfulness and self-care