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This course is designed to be practical and fun. It draws on the work of neuroscientist Rick Hanson whose specialist area is the science of happiness and James Baraz, a leading expert on mindfulness and author of the book, Awakening Joy.
There will be a mixture of formal and informal practices. Often we approach our mindfulness practice with too much effort... striving to achieve something or resisting our experience in some way. So if you like the idea of not working too hard, you might like to come along!
Many people (like me sometimes!) find that the busyness of life robs them of the opportunity for a greater sense of enjoyment. Life then risks becoming more automatic, routine and dull.
Over the four weeks we will explore a variety of different themes which will help to reorient our minds away from dissatisfaction and distraction and toward the contentment and delight that is abundantly available in our everyday lives. The course is suitable if you've practiced lots of meditation before or if you are completely new to it!
Like most people I was initially drawn to meditation because of suffering in my life. Eighteen years ago I was working as a newly qualified solicitor. It was a stressful job and I experienced acute anxiety. I learned how to meditate and it helped. I was able to stop and breathe. The inner pressure was more bearable. Over the years it completely changed my life for the better, to the point where I ultimately changed career in order to teach mindfulness and compassion full time and share the benefits with others.
In the beginning, if someone asked me why I meditate, I would probably emphasise how it helped me to “reduce stress” in my life. That felt like a socially acceptable thing to say. We are interested in managing stress. There is something stoic about it. We endure stress because we are so busy. We manage it and we persevere. I would have been very hesitant to tell the same person how meditation made me more “joyful”. At the time, the word “joy” felt self-indulgent and dare I say, a bit “happy clappy” to me. It didn’t feel socially acceptable to say that I just wanted to be happy… that life sometimes felt a bit grim and grey and relentless and I needed a counterbalance.
I think that this attitude still prevails to a certain extent and it’s a pity. What is the point of life if not to experience moments of deep connection and meaning? The good news is that copious research has shown that joy, happiness and gratitude are states of mind that can be practiced and cultivated. Neuroscience has shown that our brains have a “negativity bias” - we are hardwired to notice and remember unpleasant experiences and disregard pleasant experiences. If we are aware and we have the right intention we can bring this into balance.
Cultivating joy and wellbeing doesn’t mean that we look at life through rose tinted lenses. Without glossing over or ignoring the challenges of life which we are always faced with, we can discover that that happiness, joy and contentment is always available in the present moment. In fact, when we are able to nourish ourselves in this way, we are less likely to burn out and more able to skillfully respond to suffering in the world. It’s not a selfish pursuit!
MBSR Teacher (Institute For Mindfulness Based Approaches); MSC Teacher (Centre for Mindful Self Compassion); Mindfulness Based Compassionate Living teacher; Yoga teacher (2000 hours Yoga Alliance)
Barry has trained in a variety of complementary techniques – Mindfulness and Compassion (MBSR, MBCL, MSC and Awakening Joy), Psychotherapy and Yoga
He works with groups and with people on a one to one basis.
He has practiced meditation for over fifteen years. He is a member and former chairperson of the Mindfulness Teachers Association of Ireland and currently sits on the supervision subcommittee. He has trained as a mindfulness supervisor and in the use of MBI:TAC with the Mindfulness Network (University of Bangor).
Barry worked for over ten years as a corporate lawyer and has significant experience facilitating mindfulness and compassion training for organisations in a variety of contexts.
In 2017, he founded Mindfulness for Law (www.mindfulnessforlaw.ie) with the intention of bringing the benefits of mindfulness training to the legal profession. He has facilitated workshops and courses in many law firms and he works as a facilitator and student counsellor with the Law Society of Ireland.
In 2016, he co-founded Nature in Mind (natureinmind.ie), an educational organisation which aims to help people improve their health and well-being through mindfully connecting with the natural world.
