WORKSHOPS of PEACE

Mindfulness and Emotional Growth
Engracia B. Gill, LCSW
The Meadows Quarterly Lecture Series
November 8th, 2007

We profoundly desire deep joy, emotional balance and flexibility. Mindfulness can be the essential tool to increase resilience to stress and to invite greater fulfillment in life as it is. While we use our attention on a daily basis, attention in this kind of mental training is done at will with the attitude of meeting life on life's terms in the present moment. Neuroscience has confirmed that mindfulness practice can change the structure of the emotional brain by training the mind. Training the mind changes the brain and can increase positive emotions through intentional practice. This lecture outlines the essential elements in the practice of mindfulness that enables anyone to achieve greater emotional stability and happiness. It also invites the mind to rest in the present moment to experience the breadth of what mindfulness has to offer.

Engracia Gill is a psychotherapist with a private practice in Austin, Texas. She has worked in the field of chemical dependency and codependency for the last 7 years. She first taught mindfulness tools in psycho-educational groups at The Crossings with Dr. Randine Lewis, author of "The Infertility Cure". She specializes in healing trauma, anxiety disorders and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She deeply believes in the human psyche's ability to transcend emotional pain and suffering. She continues to see individuals, couples, children and adolescents in her private practice. She also conducts an ongoing group to assist in healing chemical dependency and codependency issues. It is her deepest joy to serve as a facilitator to her client's healing process.