Question

[Dempsey1919]

Do many of you practice mindfulness I've been practicing it years no as a have intrusive thoughts and ruminate in my head to help get rid of them I know that's bad,giving into the compulsions as it makes the ocd stronger so I do practice mindfulness meditation. When ever I get an intrusive thought I try to bring myself to the present label it intrusive flash and go back to breathing,sounds ect and try to stop repeating myself to get the thoughts quieter. It's hard but it's a good way to practice not giving in to compulsions. I enjoy it anyway, some meditations are better than others. I learned the other day that ocd is on the autism spectrum, I've noticed most autistic people obsess and to compulsions, is this true.

[THL1]

Hi

I have pure O. I practice mindfulness mainly as it gets me in touch with ‘awareness’ and my ‘awareness’s relationship to thoughts, feelings, sensations I.e. the fact that I am not my thoughts, or my feelings, sensations etc.

Thus enables me to develop a more neutral/passive stance to intrusive thoughts (and all thoughts really). The key is not to engage with thoughts beyond being aware they are there.

What you are describing:. ‘When ever I get an intrusive thought I try to bring myself to the present label it intrusive flash and go back to breathing,sounds ‘ maybe suggests you are trying to move the thought out of your awareness which I think is a more active response and therefore at risk of giving the thought more power.

This is very subtle, developing a more nuetral/passive stance rather than an active one is what helps I think

[Dempsey1919 in reply to THL1]

I only label as a technique I learned sometimes, most times I just watch them go past in a non judgemental way and not get attached bringing myself back to the present, breathe,sounds ect. I have pure O aswel.