About the Event

 

Dates

WED 8/31/22, 6:00-7:00pm - Orientation Session

WED 9/07/22, 6:00-7:30pm - Class 1: Introduction to Mindfulness

WED 9/14/22, 6:00-7:30pm - Class 2: Mindfulness of Emotions

WED 9/21/22, 6:00-7:30pm - Class 3: Working with Thoughts and Beliefs

WED 9/28/22, 6:00-7:30pm - Class 4: The Wise Heart

 

About The Course

Mindfulness practice has a wide array of physical and mental benefits  including improvement of immune functioning, lowering of blood pressure, better self regulation, and overall improvement of well-being. This course offers training in the  fundamentals of mindfulness meditation and includes an orientation session and four 90- minute weekly classes. Classes will include didactic teachings, guided meditation practice, and  encouragement of specific practices between classes. No prior experience with mindfulness practices or meditation is required.

 

The Orientation Session will include class introductions, an overview of the course, review of  logistical issues, and the setting of group guidelines.

 

Class 1: Introduction to Mindfulness will include introductory teachings about mindfulness and  meditation and the four aspects of practice. There will be a talk about mindfulness of the  breath and body followed by a guided meditation.

 

Class 2: Mindfulness of Emotions will include teachings about the window of tolerance and  mindfulness of emotions. The guided meditation will be related to mindfulness of emotions.

 

Class 3: Working with Thoughts and Beliefs will include teachings about changing relationship to  thoughts, noticing the impermanence of thoughts, noticing thoughts that cause suffering, and a  guided meditation related to the discussion.

 

Class 4: The Wise Heart will include an overview of the heart practices with a focus on  lovingkindness. The meditation practice in this class will be a guided metta meditation.

 

Teacher Bio

Jennifer Sigrest, LPC, NCC is a professional counselor and owner of Lotus Place  Counseling, where she specializes in working with people experiencing anxiety and traumatic  stress using a mindfulness-based approach. An avid student of meditation, she is completing  teacher certification in the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program (MMTCP) with the Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley, the Awareness Training Institute, and Sounds True under the direction of renowned meditation teachers Tara Brach and Jack  Kornfield.

 

Teacher Professional and Social Links

Website: lotusplacecounseling.com

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jennifer-sigrest-lpc

 

Special Terminology

Some Pali terms will be used in discussions of origins of teachings, but will  be explained to students in present-day terms

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More Information

If you have questions or need additional information about this retreat or other Flowering Lotus program offerings, please contact:

 

Beth Herzig, Retreat Director

floweringlotusms@gmail.com

601-918-8510

 

Ticket Prices

We ask that you support Flowering Lotus and those whose needs are greater by registering at the highest level ($75, $50, $25) with which you’re comfortable.

 

All are welcome to participate, regardless of ability to pay. If you are unable to pay the minimum $25 registration, select “Scholarship”, and no payment will be required.

 

There will be an opportunity to make a dana* contribution in any amount, to Flowering Lotus and the teachers at the online event. Your generosity is a gift that supports not just the teacher; but also the Sangha (Flowering Lotus); the larger Dharma community; and, most importantly, your own practice.

 

*Dana is a Pali word that is generally translated “generosity.” We are taught to practice dana, or generosity, by making monetary offerings for the teachings. Dana is not payment for services rendered – it is given from the heart. Dana is the first theme in the Buddha’s system of gradual training and the first of the three grounds for meritorious action.