8 Wednesday evening sessions plus a one-day retreat

Wednesdays: 1st September - 20th October, 2021. 6:30pm-9pm

Full day retreat on Saturday 9th October. 10:00am – 4:30pm

Aims & Intentions

People undertake the practice of mindfulness for different reasons and will have different experiences with it. The purpose of this group is so that we can learn from each other in the spirit of a guided exploration. There is no one end goal in mind and we all will each take different things from the course.

Ultimately, we hope that the course will give you a firm foundation in mindfulness so that by the end you feel prepared to take your own journey further.

What to expect

We expect that there will be 10-16 members joining us for the sessions. During the weekly two and a half hour sessions we will be trying a variety of meditations together and expanding our knowledge and experience in different areas of mindfulness. We will also be reflecting on our own experiences and practice, and at the end of each session we will discuss the practical activities for the week. The activities will be various forms of meditation and will also include practical ways of bringing mindfulness into everyday life.

Participants are asked to practise the meditations at home on a daily basis and keep some notes. This can be time-consuming and a bit stressful at times, and we encourage you to persevere to discover the value. This home practise is an essential part of the course if you would like to get the most out of it. The suggestion is to do approximately 30 mins of guided meditation practise 6 days per week, as well as some practical exercises. You might like then to give some thought to:

- When in the day am I able to commit to meditation practise?

- Where might be a regular place for this practise, where I will not be disturbed?

- How will I organise letting others know not to interrupt me during this time?

Confidentiality

While this is not group therapy, we will be reflecting on our individual experiences. The only personal information that we expect would be shared is regarding your mindfulness practice. If someone feels they would find it helpful to share personal information then we encourage them to do this to a level where they feel comfortable and safe. We ask that everyone show respect by being non-judgemental about other’s experiences and that the personal experiences shared in the sessions remain confidential to this group.

Practicalities

Commitment: Our expectation is that everyone will attend all 8 sessions along with the retreat day as each session is an integral part of the whole experience. However, we understand that “life happens” and you may need to miss a session or even the full day (which can be attended in a future course). If you have any questions around attending, please contact us so we can discuss this further.

Time: Sessions start at 6:30pm and run until 9pm. Feel free to bring a snack to tide you over. There will be a 10-15 minute tea break halfway through each session.

What to bring: You may need a blanket/socks/jumper for comfort during meditations. Some people become very cold during meditation. While we will provide some yoga mats and cushions, please bring your own yoga mat if you have one and any other support you may need for your comfort while sitting/lying on the floor. Dress in comfortable clothing which does not restrict breathing or movement.

If you have questions please contact Betsy at: betsy@mindwise.co.nz or 021 484 569.