Mindfulness and meditation at Live Well

8 week course

Commencing week of February 10th

Wynyard – Thursdays 10.30 – 12 noon OR 630-8pm

Penguin – Tuesdays 10.30 – 12 noon OR 6.30 – 8pm

Introductory Low Cost $40 for 8 weeks. Concession available.

Contact Mary for bookings: 0428 584 739

Introduction to Mindfulness – 1.5 hour taster session (Free), Penguin – 5th February 6.30-8pm

What is Mindfulness Meditation?

Imagine a jar filled with muddy water. If we don’t shake it about, and let it settle, the sediment falls to the bottom and the water becomes clear. Our minds are like this. Constant thinking is not always the best solution to the questions of life. We try to think our way out of our problems but typically we end up getting obsessive and stressed, anxious and depressed. We keep shaking that jar in an effort to find peace of mind, yet often we make things worse.

Mindfulness Meditation is learning to relax the mind itself, so that habitual and repetitive thoughts can settle to the bottom. Not only is this profoundly calming for mind and body, but we find more clarity around the questions of life. So how do we do this? We relax the mind by training ourselves to pay attention to what is happening here and now, usually with felt sensations such as breathing or scanning our attention over the body. The key words here are “pay attention“. Another way to say it would be “noticing“. We notice what is happening in the present moment without judgement or criticism, analysing or censoring.

We allow what arises, with acceptance, curiosity and friendliness, then return our attention to the breath. It may seem paradoxical to find answers to our problems by not focusing on them. Our tendency is to grapple with our difficulties and obsess about them. Metaphors are helpful in understanding this paradox. The jar of muddy water is one example. Another example is when a window on your computer freezes, and you open another window, then that freezes and so on, until the whole computer crashes! Thoughts piling upon thoughts is a recipe for stress – for mind and body.

IBenefits

The benefits of mindfulness /meditation (essentially the same thing) have long been known in many cultures, and have recently become recognised by the scientific community. Benefits are varied and include: pain management, stress reduction, improving sleep and Increased ability to focus and complete tasks.

Improving symptoms of anxiety and depression

Mental sharpness

Reduced blood pressure.

Less rumination – gloomy and catastrophic thinking

Improved memory

Emotional resilience- less reactive

Improved immune system

And more…

FAQs

What’s required of students?

The benefits of mindfulness come with regular practice. Students commit to 25 min a day meditation for the duration of the course. It’s important to really give it a good go to assess the benefits. Practising once or twice a week is unlikely to bring profound benefits.

Do I have to sit on the floor?

All the meditations can be done sitting (floor or chair), standing, walking, or lying down. The main goal is to find a position where you can be both relaxed yet alert (or mindful!) for 25 min at a time.

Is this religious? Why the reference to Zen?

Mindfulness has been developed out of Buddhist meditation practices but is not in itself religious. Zen has a long tradition of secular Zen (Bompo zen) which simply aims to teach meditation for physical and mental health. There are no religious rituals or belief systems required. In Japan it is common for people from business and financial worlds to meditate for mental clarity and stress management in this fast paced and cut throat environment. Mindfulness is a simple and natural thing to do. There’s nothing special to believe in.