Mark Leonard

I have trained to teach Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) at the Oxford Mindfulness Centre (OMC) in compliance with the UK Network for Mindfulness-Based Teacher Trainers Good Practice Guidelines. I worked for the OMC since it was established in 2008 supporting its development to become a centre of excellence of cognitive based mindfulness research, teaching and teacher training.

In wishing to adapt cognitive based mindfulness training to audiences outside a clinical context I co-taught the first MBCT course for Oxford students in 2010, the first courses using Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World open to Oxford students from all colleges in 2011 and the first of these courses to corporate clients for the OMC in 2012. I have now set up a spin-off training company, The Mindfulness Exchange Ltd, to continue this work.

I initially studied Zoology and then for a Masters in Fisheries Biology after working as a fisherman in Cornwall. I worked for the interests of fishermen at National level and was an independent witness to the House of Lords Inquiry into Fisheries Management, recommending the banning of discards in 1995. I used spy cameras to gather evidence to prosecute fly-tippers to raise awareness of waste issues while working for the Environment Agency and Oxford County Council. I've also worked with craftsmen in Morocco producing carvings for the Prophets Mosque in Medina and with coastal villages in Papua New Guinea to conserve tribally owned coral reefs.

I'm informally authorised to teach by a senior academic monk under the Dalai Lama who became a personal friend who I met when he came to Oxford to learn English. I have meditated and studied thinking and practice from the Buddhist traditions for over 25 years. My personal meditation practice is supported by philosophical study. My work for the OMC and other related activity is motivated by a wish to see the benefits of these ideas and practices widely available in contemporary society.