Intermediate Mindfulness Course
An 8-week course on Zoom
”Start Close in, don’t take the second step or the third,
start with the first thing, close in, the step you don’t want to take‘ – David Whyte
Rona Mackenzie and Catherine Lavelle will be running this 8-week course every Thursday from 27th May to 15th July 2021 (from 7pm – 8.45pm).
The past year has been undeniably difficult for many of us. The isolation, sadness, and fear has been overwhelming at times. This year we have a choice to move beyond the separation we may still be feeling into one of connection and purpose through mindfulness.
Each week on this course, Rona and Catherine will share simple but profound techniques for cultivating your mindfulness that offer profound benefits in all situations. We will be delving into new topics such as developing insight and compassion, and techniques for managing physical pain. Throughout the course we will weaving in new material and practices from current and past masters with quotes, readings and inspirations.
So, join us on this journey and prepare to receive new insights for growing, healing and sustaining health and happiness.
The course is suitable for anyone who has undertaken a beginner’s mindfulness course (e.g. MBSR or MBLC) or has a regular practice and wants to learn more.
COURSE PROGRAMME
WEEK 1 – SETTLING, GROUNDING AND RESTING
A. Use of the breath
B. Counting techniques
C. The ability to rest the mind
D. Differences between Doing and Being modes
WEEK 2 – USE OF POSITIVE MIND STATES
A. How positive mind states help the mind to rest and remain open.
B. Letting go of resistance, suppression and denial.
C. The process of acknowledgement.
WEEK 3 – DEVELOPING INSIGHT
A. How insight arises
B. The nature of realization
C. Choiceless awareness
WEEK 4 – COMPASSION MEDITATION
A. Basic compassion techniques (kindness and caring)
B. The benefits of compassion practice in all of its forms
C. The difficulties of compassion practice
WEEK 5 – SELF-COMPASSION
A. The difficulties of self-compassion practice (the trance of unworthiness)
B. Loving-kindness and self-acceptance
C. Use of the breath in compassion meditation
WEEK 6 – APPROACHING DIFFICULTIES
A. Dealing with physical and Emotional Pain
B. Loosening the bonds of stress and Pain
C. Mindful Movement
WEEK 7 – OTHER WAYS OF INSIGHT
A. Importance of Observer
B. Meditating in Silence
C. The lens of Impermance
WEEK 8 – PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
A. Always return to basics
B. Stop trying but don’t stop breathing
C. Allow ourselves to be aware of suffering
D. Be open to whatever arises.
COST
Cost £150 per person. Ask about Concessions / payment by instalments.
You will be able to listen to recordings of the meditation practices on a password-protected page of our website.
HOW TO BOOK
To book your place, please contact Catherine Lavelle direct on catherine.ohservices@gmail.com.
