DISCOVERING MINDFULNESS 
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Overview

This 1.5 hour workshop introduces participants with no prior exposure to meditation to the power of mindfulness. Mindfulness can simply be defined as being more fully present in our lives.

The orientation of this workshop is experiential and interactive, because experiencing mindfulness is infinitely more powerful and instructive than talking about it. However, as a means of providing participants with a context for mindfulness practice, we begin with an introduction and discussion of the theoretical and historical background of mindfulness meditation in general, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in particular. 

We discuss the importance of mindfulness in maintaining physical and psychological health and preventing illness, including some research findings. We also touch upon its deep transformative power that alleviates human suffering, and that cuts to the core of existential, religious and spiritual concerns. This is followed with a series of experiential exercises in formal mindfulness practices (including sitting and walking meditation, flowing movement meditation, and body scan), with an orientation toward utilizing them to ‘handle’ stress and enhance one's life at work and at home. Following each of these exercises, participants will have the opportunity to explore their experience and the potential opportunities for applying mindfulness in their lives. As a conclusion to the workshop, participants are provided with practical suggestions for ways that they may utilize and expand their experience with mindfulness.

What will participants take away from this workshop?

Participants may expect to take away a 'taste' of what mindfulness has to offer:

• A way of effecting and nurturing deep states of relaxation and of reducing stress: The practice of mindfulness brings a deep stillness that is profoundly relaxing and healing.

• An ability to be more responsive and less reactive to a wide range of situations: Often we react without any awareness of the larger range of possibilities. The development of mindfulness brings an inner quietude resulting in a felt-sense of ‘spaciousness’ - of body-mind equanimity in the face of stimuli that, in turn, allows a person room to step back and choose a considered response.

• A capacity to be present, to be fully awake to life: Relationships become richer, connections more powerful as we actually listen and learn to speak from our direct experience.

• A method for increasing concentration and focus through the practice of mindfulness in daily life: By bringing attention to the habits of the mind and body, we become better equipped to direct the mind.

• A capacity to enhance creativity through the deliberate cultivation of a spacious, non-striving awareness: Only when we are present and open to unforeseen possibilities can we be creative. Quite literally, there is little possibility of creativity when we are habitually dwelling in conditioned attitudes and modes of thinking.

Times, dates, location and cost
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We organize these workshops based on demand. Please call to be registered on our list of interested participants.