Mindfulness is all the rage these days. From big tech companies to individuals practitioners, it is being used to improve our well-being and productivity. But what exactly *is* mindfulness?
Mindfulness is an active non-judgmental awareness that enables a skillful navigation of the current experience. I wrote an entire blog defining it further, but basically it’s a practice of being fully present in any given moment. This presence gives us agency over the choices we make and the way that we experience the world around us, freeing us from the habits and conditioning that otherwise govern so many of our responses.
Meditation is a practice that helps us strengthen our ability to be mindful. By strengthening our mind, we widen the opportunity to respond thoughtfully, and increase the likelihood that we can be fully present with our current experience.
I count my immersion in mindfulness and meditation as one of the top five most important experiences of my life. Mindfulness affects how I live every moment of every day. It guides how I view every positive experience, and how I view every negative experience. This practice has become such an important part of my life that I enrolled in the Mindfulness Training Institute in order to become certified as a teacher of this course.
The Course
The Mindfulness Meditation Course takes place over a six-week period. We will meet once each week for a two hour class, and you will be asked to observe a daily meditation practice during the duration of the course. Don’t worry; this only ends up amounting to about 15 minutes each day. Your mental health is worth 15 minutes/day, right?
The course will follow an established curriculum and include lectures, guided meditations, breakout sessions, and space for questions and discussion.
The Instructor
You’ll be receiving instruction from me via zoom. I have spent over 17 years working for animal advocacy nonprofits, with a little over five years of daily meditation practice and study. A benefit of my experience is that I can relate to the struggles people face in their hectic daily lives, and I can appreciate the challenges that newcomers face when learning about these topics.
Requirements
An open mind, Zoom (a free account works fine), and headphones. If desired, a meditation cushion or bench can be used, along with a mat. However, you can also meditate sitting in your chair.
Fee
The six-week course costs $180. If you are unable to afford this rate, a sliding scale is available upon request.
To Enroll
Enrollment information will come once the next class becomes available for registration. In the meantime, you can indicate interest by completing this form, and I will contact you in advance of the next course.
Want more information? Visit the following pages for some details:
Agendas for each class
Resources