Mindfulness meditation offers the opportunity to remember who we truly are. Amidst the dings of text messages, the always on and never good news News Updates, and a toddler demanding more goldfish, a single mindful breath can ground us and awaken us. While many of us know of the benefits of meditation, cultivating and sustaining a meditation practice can feel daunting. 5 minutes alone with my achy back and hamster-wheel mind? No thank you.

Mindfulness meditation offers a path of coming home to ourselves through contacting our direct experience. Can I sense my breath? What emotion is visiting? What story am I believing right now?

Through exploration of breath, body, emotions, and thoughts, this five week course will provide a systematic introduction to the mindfulness meditation, focusing on somatic or embodied awareness. Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to explore a variety of different meditation practices and begin to build the wisdom and skills necessary to support a consistent home practice.

Each session will include short talks and inquiries, meditation practices and journaling, and group discussions.

Week 1: What is (and is not…) Mindfulness?——Reclaiming the Power of Attention

Week 2: Mindfulness of Breath and Body——Let’s Get Physical! Metaphysical!

Week 3: Mindfulness of Emotions——The Dao of Pixar

Week 4: Mindfulness of Thoughts——DTR with the Inner Monologue

Week 5: Mindfulness and Compassion——How Kindness Makes Everything 10% Better

Bring curiosities, questions, open minds, and open hearts. And a journal and pen.

This workshop series is donation-based. If you feel inspired to donate, you can find me at Venmo (@leahsamaha). I appreciate your support!