**Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)** offers a contemporary psychological framework for navigating the complexities of thought, emotion, and behaviour. At its core, ACT teaches us to relate to our inner experiences—not by trying to eliminate or [[Control]] them, but by **accepting them with openness**, **defusing from unhelpful thoughts**, and committing to action rooted in one’s deeply held values. It invites presence without [[Arbitrary|judgement]], and encourages psychological flexibility over rigid attempts at emotional control. ![[acceptance-and-commitment-therapy-.jpg.webp]] Rather than viewing thoughts or [[Emotions|feelings]] as problems to be solved, ACT treats them as part of the **ongoing [[Flow]] of impressions** we receive from moment to moment. This emphasis aligns in spirit with **[[George Gurdjieff|Gurdjieff]]’s idea of impressions as a form of nourishment**—a subtle but essential kind of food for consciousness. According to Gurdjieff, our ability to actively ‘digest’ impressions determines whether we remain mechanical in our responses or grow in [[Awareness]]. Similarly, ACT’s practice of noticing and accepting inner experience fosters a form of conscious engagement, allowing us to respond with intention rather than habit. While ACT is a psychological model, its emphasis on values-based action often draws individuals outward into relationship—with others, with place, and with the natural world. In this way, it resonates with the principles of **[[Ecopsychology]]**, which explores the deep interconnection between human wellbeing and the [[Health]] of the Earth. From this perspective, mindfulness is not only an inward-facing skill, but also a means of reconnecting with the more-than-human world—restoring a sense of embeddedness that modern life often erodes. Together, these frameworks suggest that our psychological wellbeing cannot be separated from the quality of our attention, the clarity of our values, or the depth of our relationship to life around us. ACT offers tools for staying grounded and flexible within this complexity—supporting a life that is aware, ethically oriented, and vibrantly engaged.