Mindful Meditation Series Themes
When I first began meditating on a regular basis, I practiced alone. Which, as a more introverted person, worked well for me. It was only in the last year or so, that I began actively seeking community. I attended Virtual Vipassana retreats (Insight Meditation) from the comfort of my home, and I applied to a more in-depth, two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program crafted by the venerable Tara Brach & Jack Kornfield, and I was accepted.
Despite this, I knew I wanted to cultivate a meditation community right here in Woodstock. In Buddhism, there are what is known as ‘The Three Refuges’. We take refuge in The Buddha (the teacher and founder of Buddhism), the Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha, and other practicioners we can learn from), and the Sangha, which is the community of practicioners, and historically meant monks and nuns of the faith, but now encompasses a much wider practicing community. I cannot underscore enough the importance of practicing within a community. We learn from one another. We share with one another. We grow as practicioners together. We know that there is a set time each week where we will give our minds and bodies rest, and take time for ourselves and our practice.
With this in mind, I have crafted the six-week Mindful Meditation Series for our community. There was nothing like this on offer in Woodstock, and it is very much needed. This will be a safe and welcoming space for all skill levels. This means you! Even if you have never once meditated or are a more experienced practicioner looking for community, everyone is welcome and everyone will learn something.
Each week carries a theme:
Week 1: Welcome & Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation — In this session, we will decipher the differences between Mindfulness and Meditation, the benefits of both. We will practice together, and I will send you home with your own exercises.
Week 2: Arriving in Our Bodies: Self-love, Self-compassion, and our sensory bodies — Isn’t it funny that much of our relationship with our body is based on wanting to change it? Our bodies are wonderful teachers and can offer doorways into presence. This is what we will be covering in this session.
Week 3: Mindfulness of Thoughts & Emotions — This one is a doozy! How often are we led around by our thoughts? How often are we caught off guard by a fevered emotion? This is big topic and a very important one. It will be a fun session!
Week 4: Realizing Who We Are: The ‘Fat, Relentless Ego-Self’, and the Buddha-nature — One of my favourite teachings! This week we are talking about our ego and the story of our self that we weave. We are going to learn to recognize the voice of ego.
Week 5: Integration: Bringing Mindfulness to our Daily Life and Cultivating our own Practice — This one is all about you, friends. We are going to learn healthy ways to practice mindfulness on our own, to cultivate our meditate habit, and visualize a mindful day. We will conclude with final thoughts, the importance of a Sangha community and ideas on how to continue growing our community, Tea-time, and Sharing time.
All in all, I am thrilled to be teaching this series that I have written and crafted myself. I cannot wait to meet everyone at the first session on Tuesday April 15th 2025 at Selena Strong Fitness. Waste no time; Join me here —> https://lotuspollenheart.ca/store/p/mindfulmeditationseriesselenastrongfitness.
May you be happy. May you be safe. May you be free from suffering.
Blessings,
Justine
