Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation

Looking inwardly to discover how your mind works with curiosity, interest and compassion

1. Course Intro:

In the Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation course, we will practice SIMPLE yet very POWERFUL techniques to become more aware (mindful) of our breaths, bodies and thoughts. In addition, we will explore the nature of our minds and how to live a more present (conscious) life!!

The course will be held over four Wednesdays, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm (AEST) at Cura healing community in Maroubra. Each week we will have about 20 min talk on the theme of the night, 20 min guided meditation and 15 Q&A sessions.

2. Course Purpose:

This course aims to introduce basic mindfulness meditation techniques to the Maroubra community so we can be more aware of our bodies, thoughts, and actions and, thus, be better members of our beloved community. Everyone from all backgrounds and life paths is welcome!! All levels of experience are welcome, especially no experience at all!!

3. What is meditation?

When people hear the word meditation, they readily associate it with “spiritual/new age/religious people and practices,” other’s may readily say that “it’s not for them” since they are “too distracted, agitated or sleepy.”

They may not know that meditation is for EVERYONE, for the calm, the agitated, the sleepy, and for the in-between it all.

Meditation is a simple practice of exercising our mental muscles by sitting still and directing our focus and attention to a single object (our breath, body, sounds, or thought). Anyone can do it; you can feel a difference after just one session!!

Being still even for 10 minutes helps us to understand better how our minds work and better manage mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, anger, and distraction, as well as develop more compassion, forgiveness and joy.

“Who is your enemy? Mind is your enemy. No one can harm you more than your mind untamed. And who is your friend? Mind is your friend. No one can help you more than your mind, wisely trained—not even your mother and father.” —Buddha.

4. Experience

I’m Deia, a Brazilian/Australian living in Sydney for the past seven years. My meditation practice started 15 years ago when I was living in San Francisco, California, in my first silent meditation retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Centre.

Since then, I have been to over 20 silent meditation retreats in the Vipassana, Insight Meditation and Theravada traditions and meditate independently for hundreds of hours.

Through meditation, I have better understood how my mind, thoughts and emotions work. I developed more presence, body awareness and focus. I opened my heart. I experienced Oneness!

And that’s why I finally decided to serve and share with my community these ancient teachings that have completely changed my life!

For the past two years, I have been part of the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program with @Jackkornfield and @Tarabrach, two of the West's most experienced and respected meditation teachers. Now, I’m delighted to pass these ancient teachings from my teachers and their teachers directly to you!!

5. About donation:

Donation is a voluntary expression of appreciation and gratitude from those who value the practice of meditation and want to help continue this deeply-needed service.

Donation (Dana) is a tradition that has provided places for meditation for around 2,500 years. It is a practice that diminishes self-centredness and includes the well-being of others in our actions.

We do not want finances to get in the way of anyone taking the course. If additional flexibility is needed, email fran@thecura.com.au