'Open' attention concerning Open Mindfulness is not just the usual attention with which you could shine on all kinds of things, feelings, and thoughts in a different way from usual. Contrary to this, 'Open' attention is indeed a very different form of attention which is Open. The difference is both gradual and essential. Open Mindfulness involves not only consciousness, but also the non-conscious. It's mainly about what happens in your total self while or even before something is present in your conscious attention, such as an observation before you pin it down by recognizing or naming it. Open Mindfulness takes full account of the mainly non-conscious, subconceptual functioning of brain and mind. The Openness is a characteristic of where the attention comes from, not where it goes to. It comes from you as a total person.
Making this explicitly central is the main difference with many current forms of Mindfulness. Naturally, there is diversity among Mindfulness practitioners in this regard. Open Mindfulness is radically Open. It is one side of this spectrum. This also means that within the world of Mindfulness, there is also the other side of the spectrum. Open Mindfulness is essentially different. If you know 'Mindfulness, ' this might come as a surprise to you.
Since attention is central to everything you do throughout the day, developing Open attention is also developing yourself. It is about being profound, open to the good, the beautiful, and the natural in what is right in front of you. It is about freedom within yourself. It can feel like you are finally arriving in this world. You don't have to hold onto this feeling anxiously. It is what you can experience as a 'life virtuoso' as well as a possible path for the rest of your life.
One can think "I already do this" and still be completely wrong. One can think "This is so difficult" and be in the middle of it. The meaning of 'me' is crucial in this. Is it about the purely conscious, mere ego, or something broader: the total self?
In this sense, Open Mindfulness is quite central to what one could call an 'AURELIS mindstyle.' It is congruent with anything else you find in the AURELIS project as a whole. Note that personal freedom is an essential element in this. The aim is not to give people any strict direction except the direction of themselves. But if you feel it this way, then please don't force yourself. Try to find out what it can mean to you, following a path on which you remain skeptical and open-minded. Open Mindfulness is an experience that can be followed by anyone. It's mental hygiene. However, to avoid any miscomprehension, anyone with a psychiatric history should seek medical advice beforehand.
Open Mindfulness is a Read&Do experience of eight 'sessions' with:
- - insights: of which you should not accept anything if it doesn't feel right
- - exercises: which make the insights practical in feeling and performing, also in your daily life
The eight session trajectory may remind one of regular Mindfulness. Indeed, you can also follow a trajectory in a group of 8 x 2 hours. Due to the combination, there is maximum time for interaction during the meetings. Here, too, the philosophy is open. This is the depth in which you go as far as you wish. Fundamental values are freedom, openness, respect, depth, and trustworthiness.
More support can be obtained from an AURELIS coach. At the same time, this Read&Do experience is also a necessary stepping stone if you want to become an AURELIS coach.
