An Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation 4-Week Course — Fendalton

An Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation 4-week course. Each class is one hour, once per week. This course is practical, non-religious and designed for beginners. The course includes

• 4 classes with an experienced mindfulness trainer
• 4-week subscription to the full version of the CALM app
• Downloadable guided mindfulness meditations for you to keep
• A 45-page guidebook

“Using mindfulness to help me better manage unrelenting anxiety, obsessive worrying & sadness. I have found that using the apps is helpful when having a stressful day, & I intend to keep practicing daily. Thank you.” — Cecily Wilson

Mindfulness means “paying attention in a particular way; On purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” — Jon Kabat Zinn (Professor of Medicine Emeritus Stress Reduction Clinic and the Centre for Mindfulness in Medicine).

The benefits of regular mindfulness are…

✔ Reduced stress and anxiety

✔ Improved sleeping patterns

✔ Less self-judgement and more self-acceptance

✔ Greater feelings of joy and freedom

✔ Improved mental health

✔ Effective ways to work with difficult thoughts and emotions

“Mental Health Foundation mental health promoter Grant Rix says mindfulness has been shown to benefit our brains to such an extent that we can feel calmer, more aware, have an increased ability to focus and concentrate, remember things better and feel happier.” — NZ Mental Health Foundation Press Release July 2012

✔ Full length 4-week course so you can practise and report back.

✔ No risk money-back guarantee; if you attend all the classes and don’t feel you have received any benefit get your money back.

✔ Includes 4-week subscription to the premium version of the CALM mindfulness and meditation app.

✔ New Zealand’s number one mindfulness course.

✔ Exclusive 45-page guidebook including weekly assignments, indepth articles and a reading list.

✔ Over 15 guided downloadable guided meditations for you to keep.

✔ No religion. No dogma. No funny positions. Practical and non-religious course.

✔ Designed for absolute beginners

Week 1: What is Mindfulness?

• What mindfulness is
• The benefits of mindfulness and meditation
• Guided body scan mindfulness meditation.

Week 2: Working with the Mind

• Why thinking can be problematical
• Practical ways to work with difficult thoughts
• Self-judgement and how to intervene
• Guided mindfulness meditation — counting the breath.

Week 3: Working with Emotions

• What are emotions?
• Learning to feel emotions
• The RAIN method
• Non-judgement and acceptance
• Guided mindfulness meditation on feelings.

Week 4: Radical Acceptance

• What it means to be present
• How "wanting things to be different" causes stress
• Developing wisdom and insight
• Authentic self-compassion
• Open awareness guided mindfulness meditation
• Next steps.

Lin Ong — Mindfulness Works Qualified Teacher and MBCT Qualified Teacher

Lin, like you, is a human being who encounters the ups and downs of life and the universal wish to be in contact with happiness and peace. She has experienced moments of this in mindfulness practice. She invites you to embrace this path of discovery in the ongoing journey. Her first encounter of mindfulness practice begun about 25 years ago. Her search for a way to understand suffering in the mental mind began with observation and then studies in psychology, social work and coaching, including working as a psychologist and even a wildlife guide.

This led her to various explorations and adventures that brought her eventually to Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Through the Oxford Mindfulness Centre (OMC), UK, she is certified to deliver MBCT and related programs, through a supervised pathway. Lin is an OMC Associate, trainer and supervisor for MBCT and related mindfulness programs. She has deep respect and gratitude for Prof Mark Williams and her other mentors Prof Willem Kuyken, Marie Johansson, Christina Surawy and Antonia Sumbundu. Her training stems from members of the team at OMC; Melanie, Ann, Antonia, Mark, Chris, Ruth, and Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn. She facilitates mindfulness groups locally and internationally.

She has found that what we cannot escape from is that knowledge remains mere knowledge until we integrate the practice into our own lives. Lin has a strong interest in research-based approaches that bring together the strength of modern science and ancient wisdom to help empower people, be familiar with the mind-body and to access the natural spring of well-being in people.

Lin is deeply grateful to developers and teachers of MBCT, and her other precious teachers and friends from various walks of life. She is touched by those whose lives she has encountered.

Her motivation is to work alongside you in a way that enlivens and empowers, so that you can continue to benefit yourself and others around. She is open to working to make this possible through means that fits. www.naturenurturesparks.com

She is very happy to join Karl Baker and Mindfulness Works and to journey together with the community towards deeper awareness and joy.

Mindfulness Works is the largest mindfulness training organisation in New Zealand. Over 15,000 people have completed the Mindfulness Works Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation 4-week course

Mindfulness Works is committed to:

• Providing accessible and affordable mindfulness courses.
• Offering a diverse range of experienced and skilled mindfulness trainers.
• Providing courses in a practical format with exceptional supporting resources.
• Improving the mental health of all of us and fostering self-love in all.
• Supporting our facilitators with options for further professional development.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

St Barnabas (Kotare Room), 8 Tui Street, Christchurch, New Zealand