WORKSHOPS
Meditation as Medication:
Relieving mental and emotional suffering through the cultivation of mindfulness
4 Tuesdays, August 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
$60
In this workshop we will learn about the powerful and practical tool of meditation as a way to develop our capacity to be mindful, or present to ourselves and our experience, our environment and the people who inhabit it. We will learn about how we create our own suffering through our thinking and how in changing our relationship to our thinking, feelings and sensations we have the ability to decrease our own suffering. We will learn about the nature of mind and its processes—thought, attention, discernment, judgment and intention. We will review some of the many benefits of meditation and review current research findings.
We will learn the basic nuts and bolts practice of mindfulness meditation including setting, posture, breathing and intention. Our practice will focus on noticing and observing our thoughts, feelings and sensations as they arise, learning to avoid the mental trap of judgment. With continued practice you will gain an ability to recognize that you can have some distance from and perspective about your thoughts, feelings and sensations—that you don’t have to be ruled by them or even believe all of them! When you are able to realize this you will be in a better position to not just react to a situation but respond in a thoughtful and sensitive way, whether it be with family, kids, friends or coworkers. When we are able to gain this perspective and not be so attached to things we do not suffer as much. In this way we have the ability to influence the degree of our own suffering.
Join us and learn this practical and liberating practice for yourself! Please bring a cushion or pillow if you would like to sit in the traditional style. Chairs will be provided. Bring a friend and share the learning!
Please call (831) 336-1300 to register, or register online.
Meditation and Addiction
Using mindfulness to transform unhealthy relationships with substances,
behaviors and feelings into healthy ones
4 Fridays, September 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
$60
In this workshop we will learn how mindfulness, cultivated through the practice of meditation, can be a powerful ally when we want to change our unhealthy relationships with substances, self-defeating behaviors and overwhelming emotions. We will discuss the physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual aspects involved in addiction. We will learn about the physiology of addiction and review recent findings from addiction medicine and neurobiology, identify triggers and learn how meditation can be utilized as a powerful relapse prevention strategy and self-care practice.
Instruction will be given on the fundamentals of practicing mindfulness meditation and we will have ample time to practice this amazing tool to transform ourselves, our thinking and our relationships to unhealthy patterns of living which rob us of the happiness, serenity and health that is our birthright.
I hope you will join me in learning this powerful and effective tool which can help liberate you from negative, ineffective and destructive patterns of thinking and behavior! Please bring a cushion or pillow if you would like to sit in the traditional style. Chairs will be provided. Bring a friend and share the learning!
Please call (831) 336-1300 to register, or register online.
For more information, e-mail Jeffrey at jeffrey@balancehealthofbenlomond.com