Opening the doors to the world of mindfulness, however, we begin to understand that while suffering is a normal part of life, how much we suffer can be optional. In Buddhist philosophy for example, the belief that suffering is optional encapsulates a profound shift of perspective on the human experience. Rooted in the Four Noble Truths, this concept suggests that while pain and challenge are inherent aspects of life, our actions and reactions to these difficulties determine the extent of our suffering. The thoughts we attach to our emotions can intensify the pain or can bring relief. Just as whether we relax or tense the body in response to pain can also intensify or decrease physical suffering. By cultivating mindfulness and transforming our relationship to physical and emotional pain, we can all find the strength to process the painful emotions yet suffer less.

Essentially, this perspective encourages a shift in mindset from resisting pain as too aversive to a more accepting approach to life’s inevitable ups and downs. Using these tools, we can help our clients can break free from the cycle of suffering and find a greater sense of peace despite all that they have been through. The aim of this seminar, by internationally acclaimed trauma specialist Dr Janina Fisher, is to demonstrate how, drawing on Buddhist thinking, painful emotions can be witnessed and accepted to transform us rather than derail our lives with unbearable sadness and grief.

At this therapeutically oriented seminar, which will be relevant for psychotherapists and psychologists across modalities, we will take a mindfulness-based somatic approach to emotional and physical pain that:

• Takes advantage of the body’s resources to achieve optimal levels of emotional intensity, not too much or too little
• Increases resilience and increases our ability to tolerate emotion
• Understands pain as a whole-body experience  
• Helps us ride the rollercoaster of emotions from numb to excruciatingly painful so that we emerge on the other side

This mindfulness-based approach seamlessly integrates Buddhist principles, providing a comprehensive framework for addressing emotional and physical pain. By drawing from the wisdom of Buddhist philosophy, it emphasizes the interconnectedness of mind and body, promoting a holistic understanding of the human experience. This approach incorporates:

• Embodied Awareness: help clients to observe bodily sensations and cultivate present-moment awareness
• Breathwork: using breath as a focal point to anchor attention and promoting relaxation
• Body Scan Techniques: guiding our clients through exploration of bodily sensations, fostering a recognition of the ever-changing nature of experience
• Somatic Interventions: helping our clients explore and process physical sensations associated with trauma, capitalizing on the resources of the body 

By bridging mindfulness-based somatic approaches with Buddhist teachings, attendees can offer clients a robust set of tools to navigate and transform emotional and physical pain, fostering a more integrated and resilient approach to well-being.

Learning Objectives: 

• Describe the most common causes of emotional and physical pain and define the phrase suffering is optional
• Summarize the practice of mindful observation without attachment or aversion
• Identify at least two interventions for regulating the intensity of emotional and physical pain

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