Author Archives: willfarmercounselling

The 54321 Grounding Technique

In this post I would like to outline the 54321 grounding technique, explain why it is useful to make this a part of your daily routine, and to look at a variation. Grounding techniques exist to help you from becoming overwhelmed by unhelpful thoughts and emotions. You may have noticed in the past how difficultContinue reading “The 54321 Grounding Technique”

Effective Worrying

In this post I am going to look at a method to manage your worries if you find that they are disrupting your ability to rest and enjoy yourself. It is common for worries to interrupt our ability to stay present with the rest of our lives. You may find that you are struggling toContinue reading “Effective Worrying”

Pain and Suffering

Recently, at work I have been helping clients to see the difference between pain and suffering with the following formula. Pain x Resistance = Suffering This idea can be so helpful that I am even going to frame it and put it on my wall. I first came across this idea in a Dharma talkContinue reading “Pain and Suffering”

Repair

I am back to blogging, possibly in a shorter format. Today I was inspired by the idea of repair. A long time ago I bought a pretty pot from the charity shop. It was painted with a blue floral pattern and has spent a happy life in our bathroom, stuffed full of toothbrushes and tubesContinue reading “Repair”

A Cushion For Your Head

“Just sit there right nowDon’t do a thingJust rest. For your separation from God,From love, Is the hardest workIn thisWorld Let me bring you trays of foodAnd somethingThat you like toDrink. You can use my soft wordsAs a cushionFor yourHead.” This poem is by the 14th century Persian sufi mystic, Xāja Shams-ud-Dīn Moḥammad Ḥāfeẓ-e Shīrāzī,Continue reading “A Cushion For Your Head”

Never and Always

“I’ll never get this blog post written”. I actually just thought this whilst staring at my blank screen. Yet here I am typing and, if you’re reading this, I was clearly wrong. But this is typical of the kinds of thoughts that whizz around in our minds, often without us being consciously aware of them.Continue reading “Never and Always”

Why am I blogging?

This is my first ever blog post for my counselling practice. I am hoping that over the coming years I will publish a new post each month about counselling, mindfulness, and spiritual practice, or whatever feels appropriate or interesting. The reason I first thought of blogging was to increase the visibility of my practice, butContinue reading “Why am I blogging?”