Meditation For Every Day Life
8 week Stress Reduction Course (Based on mindfulness meditation)
With experienced Meditation facilitator and Holistic Therapist - Jacqui Bastock (Dip IACH, MACHO)
Most of us live in a world full of things that just have to be done. Our busy mind continually pulls us from 'pillar to post' from what happened yesterday or an hour ago, to our worries about what might or might not happen tomorrow. Even at night it can be difficult to stop the chatter and move into relaxed and restful sleep.
Developing a regular Meditation practice can significantly reduce tension and stress levels, lower high blood pressure, reduce pain and aid the healing process. In addition, it can increase our ability to focus our attention. Through Meditation practice we begin to develop a level of inner quiet, creating a 'quiet space' that gives us the opportunity to choose, whether we 'act or react' in stressful situations.
8 Week Programme
Week 1 : Introduction to the Course
What is stress? What is mindfulness meditation? Outline of the next 8 weeks. Breathing and Relaxation. A Commitment to yourself
Week 2 : Mindfulness and Relaxation
Relaxing the body. Breathing mindfully. Purposefully move from 'doing' and practice 'being', relaxing into the present moment.
Week 3 : Self supporting attitudes
Breathing mindfully, establishing your practice. The 7 attitudes for self-support including giving to ones-self as well as to others.
Week 4 : The Beginners Mind
Relaxation and meditation practice. What is a Beginners Mind? Introducing a weekly calendar
Week 5 : Trust and Patience
Relaxation and meditation practice. Learning to be patient with ourselves and trust our own inner wisdom.
Week 6 : Non-striving and non-judging
Relaxation and meditation practice. The benefits of developing attitudes of non-striving and non-judging towards meditation practice.
Week 7 : Walking Meditation and Letting go
Relaxation and meditation practice. A walking meditation
Learning to let go
Week 8 : Acceptance and Reflection
Relaxation and meditation practice. Seeing things as they are and making choices. Next steps.