Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindful Living/Living with Kindness programs begin in April

Free introductions: Tuesday April 10 at 6.30pm and Thursday April 12 at 12.30pm.

Seven week sessions begin April 24 and 26.

Mindful Living / Living with Kindness is a new program designed to guide and support our ongoing efforts to live with greater awareness and compassion, for ourselves and for others.

Mindfulness is as much about caring, compassion and love as it is about training the mind to slow down and pay attention.  The beauty of the practice is that from the simple act of learning to pay attention without judgment, to notice again and again the mind's tendencies, inevitably leads to a sense of tenderness.  When we see how we torment ourselves with all the "shoulds and coulds and woulds," the self-criticism, the striving, the self-doubt-all of these paralyzing feelings that are based in fear, it is inevitable that we begin to care-and from there we grow, in our ability to change ourselves and positively benefit the lives of others.

Mindfulness is an ancient technique that begins by calming the mind, relaxing the body and restoring our sense of well-being. At first we learn-through breath and body meditations-to be aware of all our senses rather than being lost in thoughts, and we begin to discover our natural sense of ease.

As we progress, our awareness extends beyond our inner experiences and we become able to be mindful in more and more moments of our lives, from work and relationships to washing the dishes and waking up!  Rather than being lost in our old patterns and reactions, we learn to experience the wonder of being alive, the peace and joy that is our birthright.  The more we learn to draw on the wisdom of all our intelligences-our heartfelt and gut instincts are now scientifically proven to be brains too-we begin to feel the connection between not just our bodies and minds, but between all things.

The Mindful Living/Living with Kindness program will focus especially on fostering an open heart through loving kindness, gratitude and forgiveness practices.  We will also draw on sacred and healing arts from across cultures and continents, exploring the power of sound, energy, silence, and creativity, helping us open up to and release old pains and traumas that are held in our bodies blocking energy and vitality, clarity and compassion. It's hard to live up to our ideals.  It's even harder to let them go.

Mindful Living/Living with Kindness is about both of these.  Learning to find the balance between effort and acceptance.  Making the effort to live with awareness and accepting the way things are-and that's when things can really begin to change!

For more info call Sophy Craze 413 253-5775