Learning to catch whatever life throws
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy/Training (MBCT)
About Me
My name is Daniel Gigi, I am a mindfulness coach and author on Jewish meditation. For over 20 years I have studied meditation and mindfulness with teachers from a variety of traditions. I am the author of 28 Jewelled Crown: A Comprehensive System of Jewish Meditation and Mysticism on the Ecstatic Kabbalah and teach meditation from that school based on the Sefer Yetzirah. I am a qualified Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) teacher, through Enter Mindfulness (a BAMBA recognised teacher training organisation).
When we learn to attend to the things of life in this very moment without artifice or expectation we find there is an alternative way to be in the world other than driven by goal-oriented perspectives – this is Mindfulness.
What is Mindfulness?
Present Moment Awareness
Mindfulness means bringing awareness to whatever is going on in the here and now, whether external – sensory or social – or internal – thoughts and feelings.
Being Over Doing
Non-striving is a core facet of Mindfulness practice which research has shown to be an essential component in the MBCT approach for the prevention of relapse in depression.
Things As They Are
Key to the effectivness of Mindfulness is not adding to what is there with judgement, expectation, grasping or aversion, but rather seeing things as they are.
Self-Compassion
Self-compassion has also been shown to be one of the critical factors in the success of the MBCT programme in the prevention of relapse in depression and promotion of general wellbeing.
Mindfulness Courses
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy/Training (MBCT) is an 8 week mindfulness programme incorporating elements of cognitive-behavioural therapy. It is an evidence based programme which has proven beneficial in reducing automatic negative thinking, stress and anxiety, relapse in depression and improving general well-being and resilience.
The programme is broken down in to 8 sessions of 1.5 to 2.5 variable hours plus a separate day retreat (4-5hrs). The sessions themselves consist of periods of sitting meditation and moving meditation on certain weeks, followed by periods of reflective inquiry and group discussions. The course is run in groups of no more than 12 participants with the day retreat open for former participants as well.
The programme is designed to help participants build the habit of regular meditation and therefore the most important part of the programme is the home practice. This includes daily formal periods of meditation, informal practice during everyday tasks and journalling. The more participants are able to put into the home practice the more they will benefit from the programme. Participants considering joining a course should be able to commit to at least 45 minutes of formal sitting a day.
Apart from the meditation techniques themselves, participants will learn stratagies developed from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for dealing with negative thinking and other unhelpful behaviours which lead to stress, anxiety and depression. However that is not to say only people with depression will benefit from the course, in fact if you are suffering from active depression MBCT may not atually be helpful for you, though your doctor or therapist will be better able to advise you. If you are not suffering from active depression but are feeling run down, stressed or burnt out then MBCT is a perfect opportunity to set aside time for self care and improving your general wellbeing.
I am currently offering an 8-Week MBCT Course in 2026
and two follow up courses in 2027:
MIDWEEK MINDFULNESS
Tuesdays online* via Zoom from on 13th October to 1st December.
8x 2hrs 15mins Sessions on Tuesday Evenings** with a longer 5hr day-retreat Sunday 22nd Nov.
£250 (concessions and group bookings available on request).
*There is a limited number of spaces for in-person attendance including for the day-re.treat.
**Times will depend on participant availability.
Heartfulness
Mindfulness training focussing on somatic opening and the emotional field (for participants who have previously completed an MBCT mindfulness programme).
8x 2hrs 15mins Sessions on Tuesday Evenings* with a longer Sunday 5hr day-retreat.
*Dates tbc.
Embodiment
Minfulness training on deepening trust and intuitive sensing (a.k.a. visceral intelligence) (for participants who have completed the Heartfulness programme).
8x 2hrs 15mins Sessions on Tuesday Evenings* with a longer Sunday 5hr day-retreat.
*Dates tbc.
Photo by Simon Berger on Unsplash – Spring/Summer text background designed by Freepik – Autumn text background designed by Magnific – Animation by Lucas Gallo on Lottiefiles