Session 4 I think I’m thinking? Copyright J Morris Sussex CBT Ltd 2013
Session 4 In this session we will focus out attention on our thoughts We will see what happens when we try to stop them and how we might just let them float by Copyright J Morris Sussex CBT Ltd 2013
Puzzling thoughts In which sport do winners move backwards and losers move forwards? Copyright J Morris Sussex CBT Ltd 2013
Clip 1 q6yYKSI&NR=1 Copyright J Morris Sussex CBT Ltd 2013
Your brain – a very smart phone Copyright J Morris Sussex CBT Ltd 2013
Mobile thinking etiquette? Does your amygdala send you endless messages? Does it interrupt your work? Does it stop you having a good time with friends? Does it interfere with stuff at school? Would you like to leave your mental messaging at home sometimes? Copyright J Morris Sussex CBT Ltd 2013
Try this task: not to think of a white bear for a whole minute – you may shut your eyes, but just try your best NOT to think of a white bear.
Thinking about nothing… Copyright J Morris Sussex CBT Ltd 2013
I’m hungry I wonder when lunch is? I wish it was fish for school dinners today Copyright J Morris Sussex CBT Ltd 2013
You can’t force yourself to stop thinking I’m hungry Oh no, I’ve started thinking It’s so hard to stop thinking….. Now I’m thinking about thinking Copyright J Morris Sussex CBT Ltd 2013
See if you can let that thought slip away? Like a leaf in a stream Or a cloud in the sky Copyright J Morris Sussex CBT Ltd 2013
Sometimes it is best to just let things settle down
We will begin with a focus on our breath and then move our attention briefly to sounds in the environment. After this we will focus on our thoughts – just watching them as they pop up in our mind. Not trying to suppress them, but just noticing when they arrive. Perhaps congratulating ourselves a little when we have spotted them. Then just letting them go – perhaps watching them float off on a cloud, or floating down a stream on a leaf. Mindfulness of Thoughts Copyright J Morris Sussex CBT Ltd 2013
What was your thought stream? Copyright J Morris Sussex CBT Ltd 2013