How UK Parliament Explores Mindfulness Practice ?

Joined by the comedian Ruby Wax, now ambassador for the benefits of mindfulness, UK politicians explored the potential for mindfulness.

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PDF- the guardian_2014-05-07_UK Parliament Practicing Mindfulness Meditation

Politicians joined by Ruby Wax as parliament pauses for meditation

MPs and peers sample mindfulness practice becoming popular across UK as means to overcome mental health problems

Robert Booth - theguardian.com - Wednesday 7 May 2014 20.14 BST

Comedian Ruby Wax is the poster girl for the benefits of mindfulness to combat

mental health issues. Photograph: Andy Hall

Sceptical MPs have joked it is becoming "a cult in parliament", but

mindfulness meditation stepped into the political mainstream on

Wednesday when MPs and peers gathered at Westminster, closed their

eyes and went silent for a minute.

Joined by the comedian Ruby Wax, now the poster girl for the benefits of

mindfulness to overcome mental health problems, politicians including

former ministers Lord Haworth and Jim Fitzpatrick straightened their

spines and focused on their breath at the launch of an all party group to

explore the potential for mindfulness in health, education, criminal justice.

"Connect with the breath, wherever it feels most strong," intoned the

meditation. "For the full duration of the in-breath and the full duration of the

out-breath."

It was just a taste of what 95 MPs, peers and parliament staff have already

experienced on mindfulness meditation courses inside parliament. The

practice – based on Buddhist meditation but updated for secular users – is

catching on across a stressed-out Britain.

Mental health problems are estimated to affect one in four and academic

studies claim mindfulness can affect a 20% reduction in symptoms of

anxiety and depression. If practiced regularly, proponents report it