ABSTRACT
Mindfulness-based programmes are so-called because mindfulness is fundamental to all the elements within them, including the group exercises which demonstrate the core session themes, teaching on the stress reaction cycle, perception, pleasant and unpleasant experiences. As with the formal mindfulness practices and inquiry, effective teaching of the core session themes relies on the teachers' embodiment of the attitudinal foundations. It can be very easy to underestimate the importance of introducing the pleasant experiences calendar as part of the home practice, and so squeeze it into the last few minutes of the session. The use of the idea of a pleasant moment helps to describe what is meant by the term 'experience', and, what emerges is often uplifting for the group to hear and illustrates clearly what entries might be put into the calendar under its various headings. Skilful teaching of the group exercises and didactic inputs rests on having clear intention for the exercise which then guides the teaching methodology.
