Mindfulness teacher Rosalie Dores shares her insight into one-to-one mindfulness, exploring the benefits of private teaching.
Many people find learning mindfulness in a group context transformative. The opportunity to participate in shared learning and exploration with peers allows for the recognition of our common humanity to arise. No-one is alone in their struggles. This coupled with the presence, wisdom and experience of the teacher allows for insight and understanding to arise. People learn about how their minds work and what gets them in, and importantly out, of trouble.
It is not always possible, however, for people to attend a group. Attending a one-to-one mindfulness course provides an equally potent option. During a one-to-one course the participant receives the undivided attention of the teacher. They also attend a course tailored specifically to their learning needs.
For many people the privacy that the one-to-one context provides allows for a deeper level of learning and understanding to emerge. They are less concerned about being vulnerable within a larger group. Having taught in this way for over a decade I have had the privilege of witnessing the power of the one-to-one mindfulness course. Participants deepen in self-understanding, shift unhelpful patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving and develop a sustainable mindfulness practice.
Deepening Our Understanding
At the end of a mindfulness course many people long to maintain the benefits that they have experienced from regular practice and contact with the teacher. Regular, ongoing, one-to-one mindfulness sessions offer a deeply supportive a way to do this. They also offer a space to continue to deepen mindfulness practice, while navigating the inevitable ups and downs of life.
Gaining Guidance & Wisdom
As well as teaching one-to-one mindfulness, I have received the wise counsel of various teachers over my 30+ years of practice. Without the benefit of their experience and guidance my practice would have stagnated. It sounds obvious, but I can’t see, what I can’t see, I can’t know what I don’t know.
My teachers have offered me the benefit of their many years of practice. I have learnt from their hard earned wisdom derived from personal struggles and triumphs. I have also felt their deep kindness and compassion derived from being humbled by life over and over again.
Having the benefit of their perspectives and presence has allowed me to recognise when I was caught in painful patterns of behaviour. Receiving their invaluable practice guidance has allowed me to relate to my experience in a way that reduces stress rather than increases it. My gifts and capacities have also been supported to flourish.
Mindfulness Isn't Taught, It's Caught
My experience of being ‘held’ in this way has been beneficial to me both personally and professionally. I’ve heard it said, that ‘mindfulness isn’t taught, it’s caught’. This rings true for me. The skills that I bring to my work with people; deep listening, feeding back, checking my understanding, inviting and guiding experiential exploration is informed by my experiences of being supported by other, ‘elders’ along the way.
If you want to climb a mountain, I imagine you would employ an experienced mountain climber, who knows the landscapes, it’s opportunities and pitfalls. So it is with engaging in one-to-one work with a meditation teacher. You need an experienced guide.
Learn More About One-to-One Teaching or Book With Rosalie.
Written by Rosalie Dores, Mindfulness Teacher at The Mindfulness Project