Session 6: Bringing Mindfulness to Our Relationships

Abstract

In this session, we will take time to review your experiences of “falling down the hole”—having a sustained emotional reaction to something like a cognitive slip-up. This is connected to further cultivation of awareness as a way to track our experience without reacting to it. The discussion of reacting versus responding is broadened to incorporate our experiences with others, and how we communicate with others. We will then discuss different communication styles and for homework, you will be encouraged to track your use of these communication styles, as well as the tendency to respond versus react. Finally, you will continue with Open Monitoring practice and you are invited to track your mindfulness in daily life and to find ways of adding to your mental bank account.