Episode 26 – Mindfulness as a Way of Being with Craig Gilbert

Exploring Brain and Mind

Episode Summary:

In this calm and compassionate episode of Exploring Brain and Mind, Elke sits down with Craig Gilbert, a mindfulness practitioner and advocate who shares how mindfulness transformed his life and how it can do the same for others. Once an anxious, overworked IT professional, Craig now teaches and writes about mindfulness in ways that are simple, relatable and deeply human.

From his first encounter with the teachings of Pema Chödrön to his exploration of Zen-based practices and the influence of Thich Nhat Hanh, Craig shares his journey with honesty and warmth. He offers listeners easy, accessible tools for integrating mindfulness into everyday moments – no sitting cross-legged required.

Whether you’re new to mindfulness or seeking to deepen your practice, this episode is an invitation to pause, breathe and reconnect with the present.

Key Takeaways:

· Mindfulness doesn’t require special training – it starts with awareness and presence

· You can be mindful anywhere: while walking, washing up, or even when reading social media posts

· Emotions like anxiety or annoyance are invitations to pause and reflect

· Breath is a powerful anchor to the present moment

· Self-awareness is foundational to emotional intelligence and lasting change

Guest Bio:

Craig Gilbert is a mindfulness practitioner, writer and teacher who helps people reconnect with the present moment in simple, meaningful ways. After experiencing burnout in a high-pressure IT career, he turned to mindfulness and Zen-based practices, which transformed his approach to life and wellbeing. Craig now shares practical, accessible tools for cultivating awareness, calm and emotional resilience, drawing from the teachings of Pema Chödrön, Thich Nhat Hanh and his own lived experience.

Resources and \Links:

· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-gilbert-9a598423/

· Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ZenLifeFife

· YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenlife_craig/videos

· Blog: https://zenlifespace.blogspot.com/

· Books/Poetry: “”About Zen: Mindfulness”, “The Black Tree”, “The Lemon and other short stories” and more titles, available on Amazon

Keywords:

mindfulness for beginners, everyday mindfulness techniques, mindfulness and emotional resilience, Zen-inspired living, how to be present, mindful breathing exercises, emotional intelligence and mindfulness, mindfulness in daily life, mindfulness and stress relief, practical mindfulness tools, Thich Nhat Hanh teachings, mindful self-awareness, breathwork for anxiety, non-judgmental awareness, mindfulness podcast UK, exploring brain and mind podcast

Tune in and Subscribe:

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Further information and links about Host Elke Wallace:

To find out more about Mastering Your Mind Matters and its range of services, please visit www.masteringyourmindmatters.com.

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