Healing the heart-mind with insight: a path to psychological freedom

An online (Zoom) course over 8, 2.5 hour weekly sessions beginning 6pm (AEDT) Monday February 8th 2021

This course will be based on the book “Healing the heart and mind with mindfulness: Ancient path, present moment” (Routledge 2016) authored by Malcolm Huxter. It will integrate both contemporary psychology and ancient Buddhist perspectives. Its aims are as follows:

Understand the basics of the Buddha’s four establishments of mindfulness and insight meditation
Understand and practice mindfulness as meditation as well as a way of being in daily life
Understand and reduce the distressing experiences of stress, anxiety and depression
Understand and practice ways to heal and transform destructive thoughts, emotions, and psychological patterns to awakened, insightful and serene ways of well-being
Engage in practices that incline towards genuine happiness and away from unhelpful reactive habits

Who this course for?

This course is suitable for anyone, lay or professional, who aspires towards the above aims. Though experience in meditation will be an advantage, it is not necessary. This course will be suitable for those experiencing milder forms of stress, anxiety and depression. The course would also be helpful for therapists, educators and programme leaders wishing to broaden their skills and understanding. Given the online nature of this course, it would not be suitable for those with psychiatric conditions who may need acute care.

Format: The sessions will include meditation training and practice, short talks (sometimes with Powerpoint), experiential exercises, small breakout and large gallery view group discussion, optional movements and ongoing practices. Each session will be about 2.5 hours long, give or take 10 minutes depending on circumstance, There will be an off line break for about 10 minutes roughly in the middle of each session. Some presentations and meditations will be available online via YouTube. Participants will be invited to attend optional dana based (no fee) online silent day of meditation, 9:00am to 3:00pm (AEDT) on Saturday March 6th, 2021.

Main Facilitator: Malcolm Huxter is a clinical psychologist in private practice. A practicing psychologist for 30 years, he has been teaching mindfulness, insight, serenity and the four divine abode meditation practices to the general public, a range of cultures, clinical populations, therapists and other professionals since 1991. He began training in Buddhist meditation practices in 1975, living in Thailand as a Buddhist monk for two years in the late 1970’s . For more information about Mal go to: http://www.malhuxter.com

Co-facilitator: Lisa Brown is a Psychologist, Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) facilitator, Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) teacher and yoga teacher. She works in private practice in Coffs Harbour and teaches MBSR and MSC groups as well as classes in Trauma Sensitive Yoga. For more information about Lisa go to: http://mindfulnesspsychologywellbeing.com/about-us/

Dates and times:

Eight consecutive Monday evenings beginning 6pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT-Sydney time zone), February 8th 2021.
An optional online day of meditation on March 6th, 9:00am till 3:00pm (AEDT)

Fee for registration:

The general fee is $480 + 4% booking fee for the eight session course. For those experiencing financial disadvantage the fee is $280 + 4% booking fee for the eight session course.

A dana based option is available for those who may not be able to pay a fee and or for those who prefer to give in this way. Dana refers to an economy of generosity. In this way, participants can reciprocate financially for the teachings provided with an amount that realistically reflects both their gratitude for the gift that has been offered as well as their budget.

Please book early, as places are limited.

For more detailed information contact Mal Huxter

Mob +61 (0) 431768299 malhuxter@gmail.com

May you be well and happy