My journey begins in 1982 when I was involved in a horrific truck accident. Physical injuries were substantial but nothing compared to fifteen years of mental suffering. I was diagnosed with manic-depressive illness and health professionals told me that I would never be cured, that I would have to take medication for the rest of my life and that I would never work again.
In 1997, I got my miracle when an old friend knocked on my door and told me his story. This put me on the road to recovery. No more depression! However, my mind continued with unhelpful stories and negative self judgements. These were easily overcome and I was able to live a ‘normal’ life and work again.
In 2009, I attended an ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy) workshop by Dr Russ Harris. I then started a personal mindful practice as well as an intensive five year study into the many aspects of mindfulness. My life was transformed and I now live with both peace of mind and clarity of mind.
I am very passionate about my purpose which is to help people with mental suffering. In 2011, I created a facebook page called Mindfulness Coach which now has over 700,000 followers. In May 2014, I invited Australians with mental suffering to an online facebook event called Mindfulness Day. 4,700 people attended the month long event and it was hugely successful. The event became my book Mindful Actions which was launched on World Mental Health Day, 10th October, 2014.
I am now focusing my attention on mindfullyMAD.org My vision becomes our vision. Together, we truly can Make A Difference!
Our vision is world mental health without medication.
Our mission is love, peace and happiness through the practice of mindfulness.
Our objective is to lobby for mindfulness in primary schools.
Our focus is prevention of mental suffering and suicide.
Please tell your story to help others. What we are looking for are stories with focus on how mindfulness has transformed your life. Submit your story to mindfulmad@gmail.com
Mindfully Yours with Love & Gratitude Always! – John Shearer
Mindfulness Poem
What can one say about Mindfulness,
When one discusses Consciousness!
It is a time to count our blessings
Like Love, Devotion, things that brings,
Out the Divine in our minds,
Beyond words, when one finds
EMOTIONS of gratitude for our being
Whole, our ‘Inner Strength’ seeing,
We are all connected despite illusion
Of separateness, the one conclusion
Beyond Thought – to quiet our mind
And connect ourselves to the ‘Divine’!
Breathe out for six seconds and in for four.
Appreciate life while you explore.
Mindfulness!
Copyright Lawrence Klein 2013