MindfulPlayUK

“Kagyu Samye Ling Buddhist Monastery and Tibetan Centre” by Karen Grayburn. Nestled amidst the rolling hills and serene beauty of Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland lies Samye Ling, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery that has become a haven for spiritual seekers from around the globe. Recently, I had the privilege of attending a retreat  at this tranquil sanctuary  which was the culmination of a year’s (or in my case, two) study of Wisdom, facilitated by two of the co-founding teachers of the Mindfulness Association. The year-long study delves into the profound depths of Wisdom, exploring its nature, its cultivation, and its transformative power. Through a combination of guided meditations, insightful teachings, mindful reflection, and home practice, we are invited to cultivate Wisdom's essence within ourselves. The Essence of Wisdom Wisdom, as we have learnt, practiced and experienced, is not merely intellectual knowledge or academic understanding. It is a profound exploration in

"Walking in the Dark" by _steffen is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. In a world that glorifies constant stimulation and busy-ness, the idea of spending 48 hours in complete darkness might seem daunting, unbearable and even slightly bonkers. However, this experience can also be a powerful tool for self-discovery, personal growth, and spiritual awakening. I recently had the opportunity to participate in a six-day retreat with Embracing Shamanism at Anam Cara in Inverness, Scotland which included 48-hours in complete darkness. It was an incredibly challenging yet rewarding experience that taught me a great deal about myself and the worlds around me and within me. Unexpectantly, I was really excited about the prospect of spending two days in complete darkness. I didn’t know what to expect but I was ecstatic at the unknowing of what could unfold. I was however worried that my impatience would get the better of me, and dare I say it, let me down. However, I was determined to see

A Natural Explosion of Light by Karen Grayburn. As a coach, I use a variety of methodologies to help my clients achieve their goals and live their best lives. The more powerful ones for use in business being: Mindfulness, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, and Coaching. Mindfulness: Anchoring Presence and Awareness Mindfulness is the practice of knowing what is happening while it is happening without preference. By training our attention to focus on the here and now, we can detach from the incessant chatter of our minds and connect with the profound stillness that resides within. This practice fosters a deep sense of self-awareness, allowing us to observe our thoughts, emotions, and sensations without judgment. As we cultivate mindfulness, we gain the ability to respond to life's challenges with greater clarity, compassion, and resilience. LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®: Unleashing Creativity and Insight LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is a facilitated methodology that utilizes LEGO® bricks as a medium for e

"Life Is A Journey" by Easa Shamih (iZZo) | P.h.o.t.o.g.r.a.p.h.y is licensed under CC BY 2.0. In a world teeming with possibilities, it's easy to feel lost amidst the myriad of choice sand directions. The quest for purpose, both personal and collective, often leads to a winding path filled with introspection and exploration. As an identity coach, I am here to guide and support those seeking clarity and direction, empowering individuals, teams, and organizations to uncover their unique purpose and embrace a fulfilling journey of self-discovery. Unveiling Your Individual Identity Our identity is the foundation of our being, shaping our thoughts, actions, and aspirations. As an identity coach, I help individuals delve into the depths of their values, beliefs, and strengths, fostering a profound understanding of their authentic selves. Together, we embark on a journey of self-reflection, uncovering hidden gems of potential and illuminating the path towards a life align

"crossroads" by Laenulfean is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Identity is a complex and ever-evolving thing. It is made up of our values, beliefs, experiences, and relationships. It is who we are at our core. Purpose is the reason we are here. It is what gives our lives meaning and direction. It is what drives us to do what we do. Identity and purpose are inextricably linked. When we are living in alignment with our identity and purpose, we feel more fulfilled and satisfied with our lives. We are also more likely to be successful in our careers and relationships. As an identity coach, I work with individuals, teams, and organizations to explore and understand their identity and to discover their purpose and to live in alignment with it. With individuals, I help them to: Identify their core values and beliefs Understand their strengths and weaknesses Explore their passions and interests Discover their purpose Develop a plan to live in alignment w

MSc Thesis becomes a Book A dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MSc in Studies of Mindfulness at the School of Education, University of Aberdeen. November, 2018. Published: 04 September 2020 Title: How can the practice of Mindfulness enhance the facilitation of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® workshops? Keywords: Mindfulness, Facilitation, Flow, Autoethnography, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, Play, Narration Available: Amazon | ResearchGate Abstract Mindfulness is knowing what is happening while it is happening, both within our own mind and the world around us, without preference (Mindfulness Association, 2015; 2016). LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is an innovative, experiential process which deepens reflection and supports an effective dialogue for everyone, and is designed to enhance innovation and business performance. It is based on research which shows that this kind of hands-on, minds-on learning produces a deeper, more meaningful understanding o

"A Mindful Coaching and Facilitation Consultant" by Karen Grayburn. Professional Summary Karen is an enthusiastic, emotionally engaged, and mindful coaching and facilitation consultant. Having spent the last twenty years in technical positions around the world within the field of Information Systems, Karen has come to believe that there is a definite synergy between those and our own Human Systems. With a deep interest and training in Mindfulness, Karen’s coaching style encompasses the mindful and compassionate techniques she has embodied. She has also attained an MSc from the University of Aberdeen in Studies in Mindfulness and is qualified as Ready to Teach for both the MBLC and CBLC courses provided by the Mindfulness Association. Karen is also an Enhanced, and Real-Time Change® Facilitator in LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method and materials. She has published a book based on her research carried out for her MSc Studies in Mindfulness: “ How can the practice of Mindfulness

"Feedback" by Got Credit is licensed under CC BY 2.0. Since my last update I have completed some very valuable teacher training offered and provided by the Mindfulness Association. In January, I attended the fabulous week-long Compassion-Based Living Course (CBLC) teaching skills retreat; and in March, the Inquiry and Group Dynamics CPD weekend. Both of the training courses not only deepened my own personal practice but also gave me the tools and confidence to take my studies and teachings further. They were also very beneficial in terms of my MSc dissertation as these will underpin my Studies in Mindfulness with regards to the facilitation of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®. With this is mind, it is with great joy that my full proposal for my dissertation has been approved and therefore it is all systems go. The next three months will be spent finalizing my three years in the study of Mindfulness, Compassion and Insight. Looking forward to June and the last end of year retreat

"Beach, past & present" by amira_a is licensed under CC BY 2.0. Carl Sagan wrote “You have to know the past to understand the present.” Well in my case, it seems that the knowledge of my professional past (IT consultant, Knowledge Management, web development, technical architect....) is enabling me to understand the need to reinvent myself technologically for the present moment - which inevitably will sow the seed for the future. All this knowing from the past is helping me to get ready to start this new project. To get it out in the open and to be technically ready for the next stage of the process. It has been a long process. Getting the website code re-engineered, moving the domains to a more stable development environment, engaging and reinventing my social media presence, resurrecting my blog, bringing it all into the new coding paradigm of this decade and optimising the whole lot for search engines. I couldn't believe it when I realised that my old website

Dissertation research question and themes In March 2017, I wrote a Professional Enquiry (PE) which posed the question "How does the practice of Mindfulness manifest in the facilitation of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® workshops?" This preliminary study looked into combining both Mindfulness (MBLC) and LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodologies. LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is not only a methodology steeped in research and Mindfulness, it is also an activity which should be done mindfully and ethically. I am extremely pleased with the outcome of this Professional Enquiry (PE). My current thinking is that I could use this as a case study for the Work-Based Project (WBO) that would be conducted in Year 3 of the MSc Studies of Mindfulness. I will look into the feasibility of setting up and facilitating a "Mindful Serious Play" hybrid workshop and assessing its value. I am going to call this hybrid "MindfulPlayUK". Once I have designed the course, I would love to take it on a road

We Understand Knowledge Management. We Practice Mindfulness. We Play Seriously. We are Mindfulness and LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® consultants and provide clients with consultants skilled in: Knowledge and Information Management Mindfulness: Ready to Teach Mindfulness-Based Living Courses (MBLC) LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology: certified facilitator Areas of training, development and support of systems, projects and people Speaking English, Spanish and French We have supplied consultants for organizations in Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. "We Understand Knowledge Management. We Practice Mindfulness. We Play Seriously." These three statements encapsulate a powerful approach to effective knowledge management and personal growth. By understanding knowledge management principles, practicing mindfulness, and engaging in serious play, individuals and organizations can enhance their ability to create, capture, share, and apply knowledg