The UK’s biggest collective meditation is taking place on Saturday 26 September in Coventry Cathedral as part of a Mindfulness and Neuroscience evening.

Mindfulness is based on centuries-old Buddhist meditation practices and breathing exercises and is prescribed to thousands each year by the NHS as a way to help prevent anxiety, depression and stress.  

Using simple techniques and training in breathing, meditation and yoga people can become more aware of their thoughts, feelings and body sensations so that instead of being overwhelmed by them, they are better able to manage them. Practising mindfulness can give more insight into emotions, boost attention and concentration, and improve relationships.

Dav Panesar, one of the pioneers of mindfulness based interventions for health and wellbeing in the UK and Director of the Institute of Mindfulness and Transpersonal Psychology, is skilled in incorporating mindfulness within the business, education and health sectors. His focus and research has been on the application of Mindfulness and Compassion based approaches for those suffering from diseases such as cancer and diabetes, in addition to mental health conditions including stress, anxiety and depression.

“Mindfulness meditation is an essential element for our mental, emotional and physical health, just as brushing our teeth is essential to our dental hygiene” says Panesar. “If mindfulness is brushing our teeth, compassion is using the right tooth paste. While mindfulness practice is essential for cultivating good health and wellbeing for oneself, it is through mindfulness that one discovers the incredible healing power of compassion, not just for oneself, but for others too”. 

Panesar is co-hosting the Mindfulness and Neuroscience event in Coventry Cathedral. Mindfulness and Neuroscience combines science with mindfulness meditation and looks at compelling medical and scientific research that is now unravelling the impact of mindfulness practice on health, wellbeing and changes in the brain. The other host is Dr Amy Bilderbeck, Head of Neuroscience Applications at the University of Oxford Centre of Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research.

The event is a unique opportunity for people to participate with world-class experts in the fields of Mindfulness based approaches to human health and wellbeing.  It will integrate contemplative practices of Mindfulness and Compassion with clinical evidence, scientific research, psychology and experiential case-studies. A collective Mindfulness and Compassion based meditation will be the highlight of the evening.

The annual Mindfulness event, now in its third year, is organised by ‘The Flame’ a non-profit self-sustaining centre, dedicated to improving individual health and wellbeing. The previous events were both attended by over 500 people. 

Tickets for the Mindfulness and Neuroscience event cost £5 each or £20 for five and are available from www.the-flame.co.uk