“When I see water, there is a feeling of cool, calm, a compassion aspect and a flexibility aspect. So, when we meditate watching the river flow, makes the mind calm.”

His Eminence Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

Mindfulness for Earth (M4E) & Mindfulness for Life (MBCT-L)

‘Mindfulness for Earth’ 8-Week Programme Overview:

The ‘Mindfulness for Earth (MFE)’ 8-Week Programme is delivered LIVE online via ZOOM. With the aim of introducing participants to the eco-contemplative practises with the water element/nature, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Bohmian Dialogue, Mindful Movement and a journaling process, this 8-week course is open to beginners as well as to experienced mindfulness practitioners. The curriculum of the MFE programme consists of 8 workshops and a day-retreat that are delivered on a weekly basis over an 8-week period. The 8 workshops are 2 hours in length, and the 4-hour day-retreat is run as a silent retreat guided by the course leaders.

‘Mindfulness for Earth’ Programme Description:

Water Element/Nature-Based Practises: The eco-contemplation, together with the water/nature-based practises, will be explored using the themes of the ‘Waterfall’, ‘River’ and the ‘Ocean’. These water themes will be used as a metaphor to understand and explore how our mind works and relates to the suffering and diseases of the mind, body and earth. Through nature-based eco-contemplative practises, the course participants will learn how to recognise and cultivate positive mental qualities such as acceptance, clarity, attention, empathy, resilience, openness and compassion as a method to alleviating suffering and re-establishing the connection with the planet Earth (Andrahennadi, 2019).

The Four Establishments of Mindfulness (Mindfulness of the Body, Mindfulness of Feelings, Mindfulness of the Mind and Mindfulness of Phenomena): Helping course participants gain deeper insight into the nature of human/earth suffering (mental health and climate crises), the Four Establishments of Mindfulness will be explored together with the Four Truths: truth of suffering, causes of suffering, cessation of suffering and the path to alleviating suffering (Andrahennadi, 2019). Furthermore, the origins of mindfulness will be explored through different religious traditions.

The Science of Contemplation and Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness: Neuroscience research affirms mindfulness as a skill and lifestyle that can be developed to cultivate awareness of ones inner and outer environment (Goleman & Davidson, 2017). While the inner environment refers to ones habitual tendencies, the outer environment refers to planet Earth. Therefore, this course will be supported by the Western scientific applications of mindfulness, including trauma sensitive mindfulness practises that are focused on cultivating mental, physical and planetary well-being.

Dialogue/Q&A:

The group enquiry aspect of the Mindfulness for Earth 8-Week Programme is facilitated through the method of ‘Bohmian Dialogue’. The dialogue/Q&A sessions will support the students in reflecting on their personal experiences of the mindfulness practises and clarify any questions. These sessions will also help expand students’ knowledge of integrating the mindfulness practises into their daily professional/personal lives.

Registration and Attendance Certificate:

All participants who complete the ‘Mindfulness for Earth’ 8-Week Programme requirements will receive a digital attendance certificate issued by CALM.

Places are limited to a maximum of 25 participants per workshop. Please click on the ‘Enrol’ button at the top of this page to reserve your place at the next LIVE online ‘Mindfulness for Earth’ 8-Week Programme (delivered via ZOOM). Attending this course will qualify you to apply for the next Advanced Mindfulness-Based Practices (AMBP) Teacher Training Programme 2023 (for more information, please visit the ‘Teacher Training’ page within this website).

‘CALMING THE MIND’ MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP

Workshop Overview & Schedule:

The introductory 2 hour workshop is delivered online (LIVE) via ZOOM. This workshop is based on the unique theme of the ‘Waterfall’ mindfulness-based practices. In this workshop, you will be introduced to the theoretical understanding of the Buddhist philosophical framework of mindfulness also known as the ‘Deep Path’ through the ‘Four Foundations of Mindfulness’, as well as the Western scientific aspect of mindfulness also known as the ‘Wide Path’ through the Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) framework. You will be introduced to the mindfulness-based practices that are focused on working with mental states such as anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. You will be further guided through a unique visualisation mindfulness-based practice that is aimed at recognising positive mental qualities such as clarity, acceptance, resilience and compassion – ALL aimed at ‘Calming the Mind’.

Schedule from 19:00 – 21:00 GMT:
Session 1: An introduction to the ‘Deep Path’ through the ‘Four Foundations of Mindfulness’ & the ‘Wide Path’ through the ‘Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy’ (MBCT) frameworks.
Session 2: The ‘Three Step Breathing Space’ Practice & Group Dialogue
Session 3: ‘Waterfall’ Visualisation Practice & Group Dialogue

Attendance Certificate & Registration:

This introductory Online ‘Calming the Mind’ Workshop is open to beginners as well as advanced practitioners. The workshop fee (£25) includes a digital attendance certificate issued by CALM. Places are limited to a maximum of 25 participants per workshop. Please click on the ‘Enrol’ button above to reserve your place at the next LIVE online workshop (delivered via ZOOM). Next workshop dates in 2023 will be announced soon!

'CALM FAMILY' WORKSHOPS

Workshop Overview:
Join us online for the CALM KIDS, CALM FAMILY & CALM YOUTH workshop. These 2-hour online workshops are open to ALL kids between 6 – 14, families with children age between 6 – 14 years and youth age between 15 – 18. We will be guiding your kids, family and youth through creative mindfulness-based methods/experiences for you to enjoy from your home. You will be guided through the simple mindfulness-based practices such as the ‘Breath and Waves’ practice, massage techniques such as the ‘Rain and River’ technique, mindful movement practices such as the ‘Flow and Move’ practice, creative activities such as creating a ‘Love and Gratitude Tool Box’ as well as storytelling exercises such as the ‘Ocean Expedition’ practice. When you reserve your place at these LIVE online workshops, you will receive a list of things to prepare at home (including a snack and a handcrafted gift) prior to our workshops. This is so that you and your family can relax and enjoy this special time together. These 2-hour workshops will be dedicated to calming the mind, relaxing, nurturing and taking care of one another. Let’s enjoy this CALM TIME together and be pampered!

Registration:
Places are limited to a maximum of 8 families per workshop. Please click on the ‘Enrol Now’ button to reserve your place at the next LIVE online workshop.