3-Stage Breathing Space - Responsive

The 3-Stage Breathing Space meditation is ideal for bringing your meditation practice into your daily life, and this ‘responsive’ version is intended for those challenging moments. As this is a mindfulness practice, the intention is not to avoid the difficult thoughts, feelings or sensations, but to bring your mindfulness skills into this moment; shifting out of autopilot and really being present. Once you have become familiar with the structure of this meditation (and the standard 3-Stage breathing space, which has the same basic structure), try to practice it by guiding yourself through it several times a day. You can spend as long as you wish on each stage, from a few breaths to a few minutes or more. Then you’ll be able to use this mini meditation at anytime you find it helpful to bring a mindful moment into your day. This practice is taught on the Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy course, and I’ve found many participants find this version particularly helpful.