Mindfulness-oriented Psychotheraphy

Mindfulness-based Psychotherapy and Spiritual Mentoring

With Ally Stott

Mindfulness has been practiced for over 2,500 years. It originated in the east as part of the wisdom tradition of Buddhism. Over the last 25 years, primarily through the work of Dr Jon Kabat-zinn and colleagues, mindfulness has become integrated in a secular form into western culture; most notably in health care, psychotherapy, schools and businesses.

The practice of mindfulness is body based and has compassion at its heart. It invites us into a closer relationship with all of life as it is happening moment to moment. As we become practiced at paying attention to what is happening within and around us with curiosity rather than judgement, we see more clearly how we are affected by and effect everything that we come into contact with; people, places, events. Rather than experiencing ourselves as separate and isolated, we realise, through our experience, that although our individuality is unique, we exist along with everything else as part of a field of unity. As we begin to engage in life in this way there is a natural orientation towards well-being, balance and compassion.

My work as a mindfulness-based psychotherapist fuses the heart of this ancient healing practice with the wisdom of western depth psychology. As with traditional psychotherapy and counselling, mindfulness oriented sessions include talking about

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the full spectrum of life experiences and our relationship to them. As these experiences are sensitively explored the light of mindfulness guides the way to our ‘inner witness’. This is the aspect of ourself that is not conditioned and effected by our life history and experiences, and that is available to us in each moment, though often obscured by our stresses, anxiety and conditioning. It is sometimes known as our inherent health. Through this process we become more consciously embodied in our human beingness, and we cultivate new ways of seeing and understanding our thoughts, beliefs, relationships and habitual ways of engaging in the world. Rather than avoiding, becoming overwhelmed or switching off when life feels challenging, we become more able to stay present and steady and meet our experiences with clarity, spontaneity, humility and more wisdom.

Spiritual Mentoring

Spiritual Mentoring is engaged with exploring what gives meaning to our life and inquiring into, who am I? It can also be an exploration of our sense of belonging. Our spirituality involves the movement of our heart, and can be that aspect of our self that listens and questions deeply, that seeks that which is seeking us, and that understands through embodied experience the deep underlying unity of life. The expressions of our spirituality are unique to each person and are being expressed continuously throughout our life. For some spirituality is part of a religious framework, for others it is not. The possibilities of what might be explored are manifold, below are some common themes;

Meditation practice
Exploring what blocks our path
Existential and ecological concerns
Exploring ways of praying
Spirituality and daily life
Being with not knowing and uncertainty

The spiritual path is rarely easy. The questions and challenges along the way stretch and surprise us bringing fresh perspectives and new landscapes to explore. We can be supported on our journey by having someone to inquire with, who can listen and provide a safe supportive space in which to reflect, question, doubt and adventure. The journey is as much about letting go as it is about cultivating.

‘The longing you express is the return message’ Jalaluddin Rumi

For further information or to book a session please contact Ally on 07968 691 870 or Allysoilandsoul@gmail.com.

www.Allysott.co.uk