WORKSHOPS
Meditation and Addiction
Using mindfulness to transform unhealthy relationships with substances,
behaviors and feelings into healthy ones
6 Mondays, May 13th thru June 17th, from 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm
$90
In this practical 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 mindful awareness 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 that 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 call (831) 336-1300 to register, or register online.
Compassion and Our Health:
Way to a peaceful mind and heart
Friday, July 5th, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
$15
In this talk we will look at how compassion has been shown to improve our health. We will consider both cutting edge research and ancient teachings about compassion and see how current research is lending empirical validation to these ancient and proven wisdom practices.
Being at peace, in health and in balance inherently leads to happiness and a sense of well-being, something we all naturally seek. Cultivating a peaceful mind and heart through compassion is an important part of being happy—along with understanding what brings us suffering and practicing those things that bring us happiness, such as living ethically. We will see how this has its correlates in the physical organs—the brain and heart. I hope you will join us in the evening’s discussion of these ancient and modern understandings of compassion and its importance to our health.
The workshop series that follows (July 8th thru Aug 12th) delves more deeply into what compassion and forgiveness are, how they enrich and how we actually practice them in our daily lives. If you register for the workshop series the cost of the lecture will be applied towards your enrollment.
A Wise and Courageous Heart:
Cultivating Compassion, Forgiveness and Peace in our Everyday Lives -- A meditation workshop
6 Mondays, July 8th thru August 12th, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
$90
In this workshop we will learn about and work with the qualities of compassion and forgiveness as ways of creating peace in our everyday lives. We will learn about what they are and are not, what is required to have them, how to cultivate them and the obstacles that stand in our way in achieving peace and well-being. There is growing research showing the many positive health benefits of compassion.
We will learn that it is not enough to simply have the intention to be compassionate, or to ‘forgive and forget’ the wrongs we have experienced. It requires effort, determination and ongoing practice to transform fear, pain and ignorance into living a skillfully compassionate life — having a wise and courageous heart! It requires tremendous courage to fully acknowledge, learn and live from our experience. In this workshop we will learn some ancient spiritual tools from the Buddhist tradition to help us be happy, peaceful and at ease in our everyday lives. This is not easy work so be prepared to be challenged, work and grow in accordance with your efforts! 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!
Past workshops
If you are interested in attending a repeat of any of my past workshops, please let me know. If there are enough people interested, I will offer it again.
Tools for Building Your Meditation Practice:
Cultivating strength, stability and wisdom in your daily life
Six weeks
In this workshop we will build on the basic skills presented in the introductory workshops on mindfulness meditation. The focus of the workshop will be developing tools to strengthen your mindfulness practice in conjunction with presentation of key Buddhist concepts to provide a framework for better understanding the origins, purpose and benefits of this practice. We will build on the mindfulness practice you have already learned as well as introduce a new one related to working with compassion, and in particular self-compassion!
This workshop is open to anyone who has a basic understanding and some experience with the practice of mindfulness (insight, vipassana) meditation.
Meditation as Medication:
Relieving mental and emotional suffering through the cultivation of mindfulness
Six weeks
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 suffering. We will review some of the many benefits of meditation as well as 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. We will begin to cultivate 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 choose freely how to respond, whether it be with family, kids, friends or coworkers. When we are able to gain this perspective we do not suffer as much. Join us in learning to create freedom and choice through awareness!
Being Chill:
Feeling peaceful, calm and relaxed through meditation--a workshop for teens
Six weeks
Ever feel like there’s way too much to do?!? With all the things to do and issues in our relationships at home, school and everything else sometimes life can feel out of hand. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming. Wouldn’t it be great to learn how to take a step back from the drama of life, take a deep breath and feel calm and relaxed? YEAH! Well in this workshop we’ll learn how to do just that. We will learn how to calm the body and the mind through meditation. We will begin to learn how to stay grounded in our bodies even when things get difficult. We’ll begin to learn about what we can control and what we can’t, and not let our feelings take control and overwhelm us. Growing up can be challenging at times, so it can be helpful to learn some tools for when it gets tough. The approach is fun and lighthearted with lots of encouragement provided.
The format of each meeting will include a period of information and instruction, question and answer time, and plenty of time to practice. It’s cool to have this tool available to you anytime. Learn to be chill by being still! 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!
Groovy Mind Molecules:
Feeling joyful, peaceful, and calm any time you want through meditation
Six weeks
In this workshop you will be introduced to different forms of meditation—-moving, sitting and guided imagery. We will learn how to center ourselves, focus our attention and become aware of our experience on a deeper level. We will begin to learn through the practice of meditation that there is a calm, peaceful, happy and quiet place at our very center we can tap into anytime we want, no matter what is going on around us! Sounds simple right? Not necessarily! The approach is fun and lighthearted with lots of encouragement provided.
The format of each meeting will include a period of information and instruction, question and answer time, and plenty of time to practice. It’s cool to have this tool available to you anytime. Learn how to be chill!
For more information, e-mail Jeffrey at jeffrey@balancehealthofbenlomond.com