Orientation

This initial session is designed to orient you to the course, to other participants and to the method of the course's delivery. Throughout the eight sessions, we will experience both the ‘formal’ mindfulness practice of meditation as well as ‘informal’ mindfulness practices that are just as important for our daily life. While this may involve learning techniques and practices, essentially what we are doing is both remembering and cultivating a skill that we have always had and are equipped with as a human being: awareness.

As we cultivate our ability to be aware and work with the attitudes of mindfulness that support this practice, we may begin to uncover the workings of our body and mind, opening ourselves to greater appreciation, gratitude and perhaps even a sense of flourishing. The skills we will acquire in the course will allow us to practice on our own and continue to cultivate mindfulness practice beyond the end of the course.

Mindfulness is a simple practice, but it is often not easy. Though we aren't striving for a particular goal, you are encouraged to follow the course with effort, as befits a practice that will create the foundation for your development. However, if you find practice to be too difficult at times, we suggest you practice kindness and explore the opportunity to simply observe yourself. You may choose to note down what arises in regard to this in a diary or bring this experience to class for discussion.

Most importantly, we are learning self-care. This course emphasises learning to be kind to ourselves, exploring our limits and respecting them. We are each the expert in our own lives. You should never feel obligated to do anything proposed in class if it is triggering or uncomfortable for you. You might want to play with or investigate discomfort with curiosity, or you might feel that this particular moment on this particular day, you don’t want to go there. Either choice is fine, the important thing to note is that you do have a choice. If you have any problems or issues that you would like help with please feel free to use the form at the bottom or bring it up in our discussions.

The attitudes of mindfulness

An integral part of mindfulness is cultivating certain attitudes that will help us as we are opening our observation and awareness to whatever is arising in the moment. When we pay attention in mindfulness practice, we do it with a specific active intention. We could say we suit up mentally and physically with these attitudes, just as a farmer prepares both the land and her tools for caring for it. The attitudes of mindfulness work to cultivate self-compassion and to protect us from our own suffering, negative talk or unskillful habits, so that we can learn to be with them from a different standpoint and work with them in a new way.

The attitudes of mindfulness we might cultivate include:

We look forward to exploring these attitudes with you throughout the course and planting the seeds for your future flourishing.

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