Rachel Whitty
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Certified UM Trainer/Teacher
I joined my first mindfulness class at work right as my career in health care shifted from caring for patients to leading clinical teams at the hospital. Having a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and a Master of Health Administration, what started as an intellectual curiosity about how mindfulness could benefit others quickly shifted to a practice that I do every day.
Both at work and at home, mindfulness helps me see clearly what’s happening within and around me, which enables me to act more skillfully in challenging situations. It helps me stay connected to others and to my values by creating space for me to notice right in the moment if my behaviour is aligned with my intentions and when it’s not, to change course.
Most recently, my mindfulness practice has supported me as I have become a patient. When I suddenly received a life-threatening medical diagnosis, mindfulness helped me cope. After the initial rush to a major surgery, it was all “supposed” to end. Instead, it became a chronic illness fraught with uncertainty and questions about what the rest of my life would be like. My mindfulness practice helped me to relax around these unanswerable questions and feel less frustrated that I couldn’t resolve them. Although things are more stable now, there will always be many unknowns in my life. I wonder if that feels true for you too? I’m so grateful that mindfulness gives me a foundation within this cloud of uncertainty.
The Unified Mindfulness system has deepened my practice and helps me implement mindfulness more effectively throughout the day. It also facilitates practicing mindfulness in group settings. When we support each other by practicing mindfulness together, we can experience deeper connection, relief, empowerment, and joy. Practicing in a community clarifies my experience of mindfulness and enhances its benefits. I became a UM coach to share this with others.