Do I need to learn mindfulness from a teacher?

Sir Anthony suggests that we should recognise that we’ve spent a lot of our lives Mindful. He explains that it is just a natural state of being. He talks about athletes being Mindful when they perform. He also talks about Mindfulness being giving up the past and the future and living in the present. Sir Anthony suggests Apps or groups are ways of learning and he himself joined a group 40 years ago.

Sir Anthony says that it can help but we are all different and it may not be appropriate for everyone. He talks about how the guide could even rotate around a group - which he suggests may be effective.

Sir Anthony explains that there are many ways to get to the ‘still point’ - the point where we are fully self-aware. He says different people find different ways of getting there. He talks about people using music, or calligraphy or even walking as a device to get to a Mindful state.

Sir Anthony shares how Mindfulness has helped his wife when she was being cared for at the Royal Marsden Hospital. He shares how staff who were Mindful helped his wife far more than those who were not.

Sir Anthony explains that it’s hard to make considered choices without being Mindful. He using the example of making decision from a calm state and likens it to be a calm surface of a body of water rather than a surface splashing around.

Sir Anthony explains that Mindfulness has to be right for everyone as Mindfulness as an end is about truly in touch with our thought and bodies and relationships. To be full awake. He does say that it may not necessarily be the right time to embark on the journey.