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This article was originally published on LinkedIn on 2 March 2020.  They say “curiosity killed the cat.” Being too inquisitive could lead to danger. So don't ask too many questions. But one of the best advice I have ever received was from my very wise mentor Char Wilkins, who constantly reminded me when I was training to be a mindfulness teacher - “Curiosity will always get you out of trouble, Erin.” That’s right, I have learned that there is no such thing as being too curious, as long as it was grounded in the practice of mindful awareness. I used to feel really nervous about facilitating an inquiry into a mindfulness experience; posing a question like "What did you notice?" to a group of people, and potentially having every one of them stare right back at me in complete, deafening silence - it was unnerving. Silence was something I felt really uncomfortable with. Do they understand my question? Are they getting this? I would think to myself. I must look pretty amateur right now. They're onto me, they know I'm a phoney... Oh god, this is the longest anyone has not talked, ever. In reality, it was perhaps only five seconds of silence; to me, it felt like an eternity of awkwardness, self-doubt, and shame. My attention would get pulled into an internal whirlpool of self-judgmental thoughts, and before I knew it, I had lost sight of my original intention, which was to attend to and be present with the experiences of my participants. Throughout the rest of the session, dread and anxiety lingered behind every word I spoke, every question I asked, and every response I offered. Char would ask me during our mentoring sessions, “What are you curious about, Erin?” This golden question prompted the start of a paradigm shift in my facilitation approach. We have a strong tendency to quickly form judgments about anything and everything that arises in our experience. This usually stems from a place of fear or uncertainty, which we don't particularly like to deal with. We inwardly make assumptions and draw conclusions without taking the time to investigate what is really going on. The mind automatically runs scripts we are familiar with in an attempt to make sense of a situation. Your employee is staring at his phone during a meeting - that guy is not a team player. Your boss takes a deep breath in as you present your idea - nope, she's not buying this. Your partner texts you, "We need to talk," - is she breaking up with me? Your child avoids answering your question - why doesn't he ever respond to me? A stranger remains seated on the train despite seeing an elderly standing in front of him - ugh, what a jerk. What might happen if we were to invite a little curiosity into our experience? The moment we become curious about something, our attention softens and widens, our judgments start falling away, and suddenly space opens up for us to witness the experience as it is, and to explore more possibilities. Your employee is staring at his phone - could he be attending to something urgent? Does he need support? Your boss takes a deep breath in - could that be an attempt to be more present with me? Your partner texts you - what is she concerned about? Your child avoids your question - is something bothering him? Does he feel safe enough to share? A stranger doesn't give up his seat - could he have a condition I don't know about? And what happens when we stay curious and open ourselves to more possibilities? How might our interactions with one another change? Coming back to my silent group of practitioners, I subsequently reminded myself to be open and curious about what was happening there and then, without the need for a specific answer or outcome. Moment by moment, I practised resting in the atmosphere of silence, observing not only the participants, but also my very own discomfort. After a while, I realized that silence was just silence, and all that awkwardness was really in my head. Curiosity had allowed me to turn towards my experience and notice the unnecessary evaluations I was reactively bringing in. There was nothing inherently right or wrong, good or bad about that silence. The only thing I needed to be aware of at each moment of noticing, was that silence was present. And this information was enough. It was an epiphany, the moment I discovered that being curious about how things are, was more important than thinking about how things should be. Today, I am comfortable enough to invite the entire group to rest with me in silence, even when we are supposed to be sharing. With this open curiosity, I see thought bubbles brewing in the group and patiently wait for them to reveal themselves; I discern appropriate moments for holding space, and the best opportunities to value-add; I bear witness to how each person - including myself - transforms from struggle, to knowing, to insight. So, what are you curious about?
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In The Mindful People Series, we interview people from different walks of life and get them to share their mindfulness experience, as well as how learning and practicing mindfulness have made a difference to their personal and professional lives.  MiMo: How did you get into learning and practicing mindfulness? Gwen: Through a couple of articles that I read online about Mindfulness, I am always curious about how it works and to experience the effect personally rather than through the readings online. As I was reaching a state of stagnation and was searching for courses to enrich my life, this course caught my attention. MiMo: Tell us about your experience in the MBSR program. Gwen: It was an experiential learning experience for me. Without focusing on spirituality, the secular mindfulness classes showed me many ways of practicing mindfulness, it definitely allowed to me to customize my own way of practicing on a day to day basis. The group experience of practicing together also allowed me to seek comfort and support. Love to see how people find time for themselves in the midst of the fast paced society regardless of the different roles we hold. MiMo: How has mindfulness contributed to your personal well-being? Gwen: I love the process of self discovery in the midst of practicing. Understanding how my body experienced stresses, how my mind always wandered to "what's next" and my inner need of yearning for positive emotions. Most importantly, letting go and not holding on to any self judgement in the process of self realization. MiMo: How has mindfulness supported you in your professional work? Gwen: As a social worker, I work with different people on a daily basis. People from different walks of life, having different beliefs, values and expectations of others. Work can get tough especially when trying to balance relationships with different stakeholders while not compromising outcomes. In the midst of helping and supporting others, it is inevitable that we will face stresses and problems of others which led to me losing sight of myself in the process of it. Now with efforts of being mindful, I take notice and place focus on my emotional and mental well-being while responding to the needs of others. Not just to the direct beneficiaries, but also to my colleagues and the different stakeholders in my professional work. I learnt to take ownership of my own well-being so that I can better take care of others in need too. Hopefully one day, I can bring mindfulness in my work to the beneficiaries. :) MiMo: How have you incorporated mindfulness into your daily life? Gwen: I learnt to take things slower, allowing myself to appreciate the process of my usual mundane routine. Routines such as brushing teeth, drinking coffee and the walk to the bus stop were more fun when incorporating mindfulness. Noticing new experiences each day, discovering a different side of life. The formal practices placed discipline in me to set aside time for myself - my physical, emotional and mental well being. Love how I can end the day by just focusing on myself rather than thinking about my work for the next day. MiMo: Any words of advice for people who are thinking about learning mindfulness? Gwen: Practicing mindfulness is do-able and sustainable. Little steps towards mindfulness do make an impact to your life. Let the journey of self discovery begins. :)  About Gwen Ho Gwen worked as a senior social worker in the social service sector supporting young offenders, youths at risk of delinquency, and young persons who experienced social-emotional issues. With relationship building as the key driver for her professional work, Gwen believes strongly that knowing herself allows her to remain genuine in the process of touching the lives of young people. Mindfulness played a crucial part to her journey of self discovery. Are you a mindfulness practitioner or do you know one who would like to share their mindfulness experience on the MiMo blog? Do drop us a message!
In The Mindful People Series, we interview people from different walks of life and get them to share their mindfulness experience, as well as how learning and practicing mindfulness have made a difference to their personal and professional lives.  MiMo: How did you get into learning and practicing mindfulness? Pei Fen: I had no previous experience with mindfulness practice but had heard it being used in undergraduates’ settings to reduce students’ stresses. I attended the preview session with Erin and signed up through the SkillsFuture program. MiMo: Tell us about your experience in the MBSR program. Pei Fen: I thought the 8 weeks were necessary as it gave us enough time to practice and explore various mindfulness practices. It was only when we could appreciate the bodily effects of mindfulness practice were we able to relate it to our daily lives. In fact, many of us experiences the positive effects of the MBSR programs 2-3 weeks into the practice. I have benefited much from my classmates during the program; the sharing sessions provided non-judgemental assurance since we experienced similar struggles. MiMo: How has mindfulness contributed to your personal well-being? Pei Fen: Having the knowledge and experiences of being in a mindful state of mind provides a distinct contrast to being in a frantic, restless state. First, having the awareness of myself being in a fanatic state allow me a choice to remain frantic or go for a change. Although I have just completed the 8 weeks of MBSR program, I am a more restful person than before and I am able to spot frantic moments and centre myself to focus faster. MiMo: How has mindfulness supported you in your professional work? Pei Fen: My work as a registered nurse involves countless moments of multi-tasking. Multi-tasking is seen as a virtue in many cases. However, I can name at least two moments that full attention is mandatory. First the administration of medications deserves full attention from the administrator, to reduce the risk of medication error. Secondly, being present when we are communicating with anxious or grieving caregivers. Having mindfulness skills and awareness allow me the control of my attention during important situations as such. These behaviours could improve both patient safety and experiences during their hospital admission. MiMo: How have you incorporated mindfulness into your daily life? Pei Fen: Being a fresh graduate of the course, mindfulness doesn’t come automatically. It does require a conscious effort to choose mindfulness over the hectic daily routine we so often live by. I’ve chosen mindful eating as a daily practice in appreciation of food and health. In terms of work-related stress, mindfulness has given me the opportunity to “take a pause” and to respond to difficult conversations or work arrangements. MiMo: Any words of advice for people who are thinking about learning mindfulness? Pei Fen: Explore with an open mind; we live in a shared world where many things are not within our control. However, learning mindfulness will allow us the control over one of the most powerful organs - our mind. Which can then in return allow us to shape our perspectives for all things. About Poh Pei Fen
A registered nurse, privileged to be working with ill children. In addition to the provision of care to the patients, pediatric nurses take care of the families as well. Mindfulness practices allow Pei Fen to remain centered during emergencies and the ability to provide emotional support to people even in the face of death. In The Mindful People Series, we interview people from different walks of life and get them to share their mindfulness experience, as well as how learning and practicing mindfulness have made a difference to their personal and professional lives.  MiMo: How did you get into learning and practicing mindfulness? Eileen: I have always been curious about why people practice mediation or mindfulness, since they always share the many positive outcomes and benefits from their practice. By chance I read about the MBSR program and went for the preview session, which led me to signing up for the program with the SkillsFuture credits available. I attended the MBSR program with an open mind and hoped to learn how the practice could help me improve both my daily and work life. MiMo: Tell us about your experience in the MBSR program. Eileen: It was an amazing 8-week journey, especially with the interesting sharing sessions among the participants. Everyone had somewhat similar and yet different outcomes from the weekly practices. I also enjoyed the mindfulness practices as there was no need to have a particular outcome from the practices. We simply practiced to explore how we could integrate both formal and informal mindfulness into our daily life. MiMo: How has mindfulness contributed to your personal well-being? Eileen: My biggest takeaway from the program is that it has helped me to become more aware of things around me and to learn to appreciate them. Instead of always having the need to engage with thoughts or physical sensations, I am learning to rest with them from moment to moment. I find the teachings on Stress Reactivity and Stress Response very beneficial as we learned that we have choices other than reacting negatively out of habit. MiMo: How has mindfulness supported you in your professional work? Eileen: I have found that I am always too quick to react and make judgements; and having learned and practiced mindfulness, I will now do my best to take a mindful pause before reacting and try not to be unnecessarily judgmental. MiMo: How have you incorporated mindfulness into your daily life? Eileen: Mindfulness in MBSR includes practicing in various postures in both stillness and movement, and hence it supports me in many aspects of my life. The movements practice has encouraged me to sign up for yoga classes for my long-term wellbeing, and I plan to incorporate mindful awareness during yoga practice. MiMo: Any words of advice for people who are thinking about learning mindfulness? Eileen: Go in with an open mind, learn the different practices and apply what works best for you. You will learn to appreciate things and people more and to not be too judgmental. You will learn how you are able to manage stress better and how to bring a mindful pause to break our reactive patterns, as well as change our relationship with stress.  About Eileen Foo Being a HR Practitioner with an MNC in retail requires me to work with both internal and external clients from different parts of the world. We need to be aware of the different work and personal cultures so as to build trusting and good relationships. I always do things with an open mind by accepting changes as part of life's process, and I believe that change is always for the better. My personal interests have evolved over time and I am now more focused on developing my personal wellbeing both physically and mentally; I believe that having a healthy mind is just as important as having a healthy body. Traveling is my biggest love and I am now exploring more off-track places as well as challenging activities during my travels, such as caving, water rafting and trekking. My belief in life is to have inner peace that will lead to happiness as well as a healthy mind and body. Are you a mindfulness practitioner or do you know one who would like to share their mindfulness experience on the MiMo blog? Do drop us a message!
In The Mindful People Series, we interview people from different walks of life and get them to share their mindfulness experience, as well as how learning and practicing mindfulness have made a difference to their personal and professional lives.  MiMo: How did you get into learning and practicing mindfulness? Chris: In our mindless rat race, overtime, I have lost sight of what I really wanted in life. Stress and pressure were like adrenaline rush pushing me to do more and more. I just wanted to achieve as much as possible in the shortest time frame. The question is, to achieve what, and for whom? I was always in a hurry, irritable, and impatient. Finally my body gave up. I was hospitalised for a week. That was a wake up call. It started me on a journey to better care for myself. Eventually, I quit to join my then girlfriend who was working in Japan. I have been ‘unemployed’ ever since. But never been happier. I now realise what I want in life is very simple - to be healthy, happy, and to bring love and joy to those important to me, amid with a certain level of material comfort. However, there is something still missing. Maybe it was the years of stress that altered my brain, or maybe I was born like this, no matter what I do, however hard I try, my mind is always churning, ruminating with endless self conversation. My anxiety which I had always thought to be normal simple nervousness was causing my medical condition to flare up. It was also wreaking havoc with my brain and my ability to handle situations. I was introduced to breathing exercises and daily morning walks which really helped. It piqued my interest for a more comprehensive formal system which I found in MBSR. Amongst the many types of mediation, I preferred MBSR for its secular based approach backed by firm scientific basis. It seemed like a perfect fit, the last piece of the puzzle in my pursuit for happiness. MiMo: Tell us about your experience in the MBSR program. Chris: It was a great learning journey. I was looking forward to our weekly session and the 1 day silent retreat was especially beneficial. After each session I felt recharged and calm at the same time. It was a great way to end the week and start the next. Erin was very supportive and knowledgable, providing a safe and comfortable environment for us to share and express any concerns or queries. Each session moved according to our pace, never too rush, never too slow. MiMo: How has mindfulness contributed to your personal well-being? Chris: I feel more calm, less anger, less anxiety, and perhaps most importantly, I am able to better control, sometimes even stop, the endless ruminating thoughts/conversations in my mind. I feel a lot more in control of my thoughts and emotions. I’ve learnt and realise how I can either allow myself to be upset and angry, and then exhausted, or to simply notice the antagoniser and not engage it or allow it to affect my emotions. I think one of the few more immediately obvious example, for me, is when I am driving, I am no longer as bothered by all the impatient inconsiderate drivers on our roads. I’ve learnt to let it be and not engage it and allow them to affect me. Driving has become a lot more peaceful. MiMo: How has mindfulness supported you in your professional work? Chris: I have chosen a very different path from many others. Being different brings about many self-doubts. Did I make the right choice, am I on the right path, will I regret later. All these doubts are further amplified when my peers have all progressed so much, climbed the ladder so high. It is not so much of envy, but the fear of regretting, especially when it is increasingly becoming too late to turn back. All these self doubts take precious time away, it affects my concentration, lowers my productivity. With mindfulness, I am better aware of what my mind is up to, and how I should handle it. The various exercises I’ve learnt are very useful in bringing my focus back to the present. Now, when I am tired, distracted, procrastinating, or simply just bored, I try to either do a short sitting or movement exercise. It helps to reset and refresh my mind. MiMo: How have you incorporated mindfulness into your daily life? Chris: I am slowly making mindfulness a part of my life and routine. I try to start and end my day with a sitting exercise. During the day, when I sit too long in front of the computer, I try to incorporate mindfulness into simple yoga stretching exercises to loosen up a bit. Whenever I am tired, stressed or anxious, I will do a short sitting exercise. I try to squeeze in some form of mindfulness whenever possible, like when I am walking or when I am on the bus. The only mindfulness practice I still have problem doing is mindful eating. That is still a bit of a challenge for me. MiMo: Any words of advice for people who are thinking about learning mindfulness? Chris: I would say give it a try with an open mind. Some might accept everything without any problem, others might have many questions. For me, I have many questions for which I am slowly seeking answers for. Having questions is not a bad thing. It merely signifies the start of your journey into mindfulness and meditation. I started wanting to learn how to meditate using the MBSR approach, along the way many questions came about. Erin patiently explained as much as she could. There are still many areas I do not quite understand. Truth is, the course might not be able to answer all your questions. I don’t think it is meant to do that. It is merely to start you on a journey and equip you with the questions which with practice and time, one will hopefully find the answers.  About Chris Quek In servitude as Chauffeur, Personal Chef, Nutritionist, House-keeper, Holiday-planner and Investment Consultant to my wife. In between down time, I try to make some spending money trading the market, and selling stock photos since I do not get much allowance. When time permits, I revert to my primal self - nua-ing (lazing around) and stoning. I can be found staring into blank space almost anywhere. Now I will do it mindfully. Are you a mindfulness practitioner or do you know one who would like to share their mindfulness experience on the MiMo blog? Do drop us a message!
In The Mindful People Series, we interview people from different walks of life and get them to share their mindfulness experience, as well as how learning and practicing mindfulness have made a difference to their personal and professional lives  MiMo: How did you get into learning and practicing mindfulness? Wanyin: I had been hearing about the benefits of mindfulness via FB and in the news, and was keen to learn something new. With so much going on at work, it's hard to "switch off" after work and I was hoping that mindfulness could help with that. MiMo: Tell us about your experience in the MBSR program. Wanyin: The practices were simple to follow, and not as complex as I had envisioned before the programme started. The challenge was to find the discipline to keep up with the daily practices, and being deliberate about applying what I've taught as I go about my usual routine. What I really found useful was the realization of how a 10-min breathing exercise was able to help me better focus and calm down. MiMo: How has mindfulness contributed to your personal well-being? Wanyin: Two key areas: firstly, mindfulness underlines the importance of staying grounded and focused on the present. Secondly, to have a greater acceptance towards myself and appreciation for impermanence state of things. MiMo: How has mindfulness supported you in your professional work? Wanyin: When faced with unpleasant encounters at work, I remind myself that things will not stay this way forever, and that feelings / events (both good or bad) will eventually pass. Similarly when dealing with my colleagues, I believe that being kind is a choice, and when faced with tense situations, you can actively choose not to react, but choose to respond kindly. MiMo: How have you incorporated mindfulness into your daily life? Wanyin: Using an app, I've been trying to alternate between a 20 min movements practice, and the 20/30min awareness of breath practice. When out with friends & family, I try to be present and centered so that I can enjoy their company fully. MiMo: Any words of advice for people who are thinking about learning mindfulness? Wanyin: Go for it. The practices aren't hard to follow. The challenge is to find ways to incorporate mindfulness into daily life, and to keep at it.  About Luo Wanyin Regular Singaporean who loves good food, and is constantly looking to travel beyond our little island to discover new places, gain experiences, and create happy memories. On top of all these, Wanyin is also working on incorporating mindfulness into her daily routine so as to be more present and grateful for all around her. Are you a mindfulness practitioner or do you know one who would like to share their mindfulness experience on the MiMo blog? Do drop us a message!
In The Mindful People Series, we interview people from different walks of life and get them to share their mindfulness experience, as well as how learning and practicing mindfulness have made a difference to their personal and professional lives.  MiMo: How did you get into learning and practicing mindfulness? Lennan: My mindfulness practice began on the yoga mat. About 10 years ago I had a disc replaced in my neck and yoga not only helped in the recovery it helped with my fitness and strength and sleep and overall health in ways I never would have imagined. Yoga introduced my to meditation, but only in small, 5 minute whispers at the end of some of the classes. The stillness and centeredness brushed up against there made me wish to deepen my practice through more focused and intentional meditation program - and that is when one of my best yoga teachers suggested MBSR. MiMo: Tell us about your experience in the MBSR program. Lennan: Right from the first session I appreciated the thoughtful and intentional nature of Erin's class. She frames each session mindfully and guided us through each meditation in a way that was both accessible and expansive. As someone relatively new to meditation I felt very supported and safe and this environment allowed for real growth throughout the 8 weeks. I was not the best student and did not always find a way to bring the assigned practices into my daily routine, but whether or not I had a week where I practiced every day or merely once or twice - I felt there was always something to be gained every time I visited the mat. MiMo: How has mindfulness contributed to your personal well-being? Lennan: My own personal mantra is that the truest path to happiness is to do things that make you like you better. MBSR in general and more specifically for me, meditation is one of those things for me. What a book can do for my brain, or a run for my body, meditation does for my soul. It is simultaneously a soul quenching and soul wringing out experience which consistently leaves me with greater focus, clarity and peace. MiMo: How has mindfulness supported you in your professional work? Lennan: Anything that makes you a better person, inevitably makes you a better teacher. From allowing yourself to be a student for 3 hours every Saturday to sharing some of the insights in class with my own students, it is essential if one is to be a good teacher that one not only sees themselves as a student, but also allows their students to see them that way as well. Beyond that the focus on taking pauses to better measure responses is also a powerful tool to add to the teachers' toolbox. MiMo: How have you incorporated mindfulness into your daily life? Lennan: The most direct takeaway is probably in trying to be a more mindful eater. With the essential nature of eating well for a healthy lifestyle coupled with the ease to mindlessly eat and literally finish meals and look at an empty plate - especially at work - and not remember a single bite. Adding some thoughtfulness to that part of my life - even in small flashes at the beginning of a meal or slowing down in the middle of a meal has been helpful. MiMo: Any words of advice for people who are thinking about learning mindfulness? Lennan: I would highly recommend this enriching life experience as being potentially life changing and at the very least a powerful action in taking more control over your emotional and spiritual wellbeing. This is the first step in a journey towards better mental and spiritual health that should be embraced wholeheartedly and embarked on immediately. ------ About Lennan Macdonald Lennan has been teaching for over twenty five years in Singapore as well as internationally. He is a husband, a father, a brother, a son, a friend, a coach, a player (not that kind of player :), a yogi, a reader, a writer, a singer, a bad dancer, a big fan and an explorer of paths less traveled. Born and raised in Canada, he has spent the majority of his adult life in Singapore where he and his wife, Tracy, have taught some and learned much in both local schools as well as a few of the better international school's on the island. Are you a mindfulness practitioner or do you know one who would like to share their mindfulness experience on the MiMo blog? Do drop us a message!
In The Mindful People Series, we interview people from different walks of life and get them to share their mindfulness experience, as well as how learning and practicing mindfulness have made a difference to their personal and professional lives.  MiMo: How did you get into learning and practicing mindfulness? Pui Yee: I was exposed to mindfulness some years back through a short meditation class that I’ve attended. My interest in learning and practicing mindfulness was renewed when a friend of mine introduced me to the MBSR program. MiMo: Tell us about your experience in the MBSR program. Pui Yee: The MBSR program appealed to my ‘rational’ self as I wanted a structured and secular way to familiarize myself with this body of knowledge. The program certainly lived up to my expectations. The inquiry sessions were particularly useful in sharing insights and challenges with my fellow participants. In addition, I have learnt various mindfulness techniques during the program and I now incorporate them into my daily activities. Finally, it would be remiss of me if I didn’t mention the instrumental role that Erin played as a coach, facilitator and teacher. MiMo: How has mindfulness contributed to your personal well-being? Pui Yee: It takes time, effort and commitment to cultivate and practice mindfulness. Although I have just started on my mindfulness journey, I already noticed that I am more cognizant of my thoughts, emotions and actions as well as their impact on my overall state of well-being and those around me. MiMo: How has mindfulness supported you in your professional work? Pui Yee: At work, I have learnt to appreciate the importance of taking a pause whenever I am confronted with a difficult or stressful situation. It is amazing how a short minute or two that’s well spent (or, for that matter, a single mindful breath) can neutralize my negative (yet instinctive) emotions and reactions. MiMo: How have you incorporated mindfulness into your daily life? Pui Yee: For a start, I made a decision to set aside 30min every day for a formal practice. This is complemented by making a conscious effort to become more aware and mindful in my daily activities. That said, I confess that mindful eating is still something that I have yet to learn to appreciate! MiMo: Any words of advice for people who are thinking about learning mindfulness? Pui Yee: Stop thinking. As the saying goes – the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. The time is NOW. ------ About Pui Yee Pui Yee prides herself as a global citizen. Aside from being an avid traveler, her banking and finance career has given her the opportunity to work and live in London, Brussels, Shanghai and Hong Kong. She also spent a year in France in the name of pursuing a further degree. Paradoxically, it is this extensive international exposure that has prompted Pui Yee to become more introspect. Are you a mindfulness practitioner or do you know one who would like to share their mindfulness experience on the MiMo blog? Do drop us a message!
In The Mindful People Series, we interview people from different walks of life and get them to share their mindfulness experience, as well as how learning and practicing mindfulness have made a difference to their personal and professional lives.  MiMo: How did you get into learning and practicing mindfulness? Gillian: My interest in mindfulness was sparked during my training as an art therapist, where I first learned about it and the use of mindfulness in art therapy. As a therapist, I think the daily practice of mindfulness is important in managing stress, which also helps in cultivating being present at work (and other areas of life) and maintaining a sense of calm. MiMo: Tell us about your experience in the MBSR program. Gillian: The MBSR program is quite experiential, and allows you to explore your own responses to it. I tend to have some personal reflection that is quite helpful in gaining some self-awareness of my own stress reactions and how this might impact on many other areas. The practice is not only experiential, but I feel it promotes space for growth, self- forgiveness and love. MiMo: How has mindfulness contributed to your personal well-being? Gillian: Slowing down certainly has its benefits! Being more aware of my own pace in life has let me become more cognizant of the choices I make, being less attached to things that do not matter. MiMo: How has mindfulness supported you in your professional work? Gillian: It has taught me how to recognize my stress patterns and reactions, and taking that little pause for some mindfulness helps in giving space to let go of thoughts that might be toxic and residual. I find this helps in minding my responses that allow for more compassion to myself and others. MiMo: How have you incorporated mindfulness into your daily life? Gillian: I find it quite enjoyable to be able to incorporate bits of mindfulness in simple activities that we do on a daily basis, for example, brewing a cup of tea, when eating my lunch, or even washing my hair. MiMo: Any words of advice for people who are thinking about learning mindfulness? Gillian: Go with an open mind! Embrace the opportunity to learn how you can cultivate loving kindness to yourself and others, and enrich your connection to life. ------  About Gillian Ong Trained in Australia as a social worker and art therapist, Gillian has worked with diverse populations that include the area of disabilities, HIV work and mental health. A self-taught artist, Gillian believes in the healing power of the arts and is passionate about harnessing the therapeutic value of creativity for social change and good in her work. Currently an art therapist working with the terminally ill in a hospice, Gillian witnesses the tremendous capacity within us for transformation, forgiveness and healing through art. Her work has helped her understand more deeply the need for compassion to self and others in the journey of life. Are you a mindfulness practitioner or do you know one who would like to share their mindfulness experience on the MiMo blog? Do drop us a message!
In The Mindful People Series, we interview people from different walks of life and get them to share their mindfulness experience, as well as how learning and practicing mindfulness have made a difference to their personal and professional lives.  MiMo: How did you get into learning and practicing mindfulness? Gavin: Initially I didn't know what mindfulness was all about, until I read an article that was about how mindfulness helps with managing anxiety and relieving stress. After I attended the first and second sessions of the MBSR program, I did not yet have the habit of practicing mindfulness by myself. Only after I attended the second half of the 8-week program and the full day retreat did I begin to realize that mindfulness practice is very beneficial to my daily life. MiMo: Tell us about your experience in the MBSR program. Gavin: It has been a very fruitful learning journey of experiencing and understanding the concept and practice of mindfulness, and now I am applying the mindfulness skills I have acquired at my workplace and in my personal life too! MiMo: How has mindfulness contributed to your personal well-being? Gavin: Mindfulness has actually helped me in managing my OCD. Whenever I know that I am checking more than usual, I will be more aware and non-judgmentally conscious of myself during the process of checking. I have been able to reduce the number of times of checking. MiMo: How has mindfulness supported you in your professional work? Gavin: I am now able to think more logically and focus on my work better. Before learning mindfulness, I tended to be often distracted by the many thoughts I had while I was at work. MiMo: How have you incorporated mindfulness into your daily life? Gavin: Whenever I become very nervous (I have the tendency to feel nervous almost everyday), I have the mindfulness skills handy to work with my thoughts and emotions; I would say mindfulness is becoming a very important support to my well-being. MiMo: Any words of advice for people who are thinking about learning mindfulness? Gavin: Mindfulness is something that I find essential for our day-to-day life, since we are faced with stressful events all the time, be it at work or in our personal space. You will find mindfulness to be a very amazing skill to have as it is something that doesn’t take up a lot of your time but is so effective in promoting a healthy lifestyle! ------  About Gavin Lim Gavin has worked in the training industry for more than five years, with good experience of coordinating and working together with trainers and participants, and building conducive training environments. He has been actively participating in the Hair for Hope event on an annual basis. Gavin also loves to collect various public transport collectible items as well as spotting buses. During his free time, he likes hanging out and spending time with his friends. Are you a mindfulness practitioner or do you know one who would like to share their mindfulness experience on the MiMo blog? Do drop us a message!
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About The AuthorMiMo founder Erin Lee is a Mindfulness Coach and MBSR Teacher at Mindful Moments, and advocate of mindfulness as the way of life. She conducts the classic 8-Week MBSR Program, as well as the 8-Week MBSR Workplace Program. 
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ContributeAre you a mindfulness practitioner and have meaningful experiences or thoughts about mindfulness that you'd like to share? You can contribute an article on the MiMo blog! Please contact Erin to find out more.
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