FOUNDATIONS OF MINDFULNESS

Do you sometimes feel stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious? Would you like to cultivate a greater degree of balance, relaxation, focus and self-awareness? Mindfulness practice has been scientifically proven to strengthen the basic “mental conditioning” of our brains.

Mindfulness is the basis of all mind training. Only with a relaxed, focused, and clear mind can we develop the other positive qualities of the mind. 

In these times of almost infinite distractions, stress, and scattered attention mindfulness is also, more than ever, the foundation for mental well-being. Foundations of Mindfulness is our most popular course, for good reasons.

The course is part of the MSC Meditation Program [länk], where MSC stands for Mindfulness, Selflessness and Compassion. Mindfulness forms the basis for developing the other mental qualities taught in the MSC Meditation Program, in the selflessness and compassion modules.

Foundations of Mindfulness comprises eight sessions. The course is  designed to provide a clear framework for the practice of cultivating mindfulness – the practice of cultivating a calm, clear and focused mind. In Buddhism this is often referred to as shamatha practice.

In the first three sessions we use the breath as our meditation object for cultivating these qualities. In the next four sessions we use the mind and awareness itself as our meditation object. In the last session we will look at how to integrate mindfulness into daily life. 

Each session includes a presentation, various guided meditations and group discussions. There is a requirement to practice the meditation from each session at least three times before attending the next session. These are the themes of each of the eight sessions:

Session 1: Relaxation
Session 2: Focus
Session 3: Clarity
Session 4: Observing Thoughts
Session 5: Resting in Stillness
Session 6: Stillness in Motion
Session 7: Open Awareness
Session 8: Mindfulness in Daily Life 

What will I take away into my daily life?

• The ability to approach all situations in life with a more relaxed, focused, balanced and clear mind.
• A greater degree of self-awareness and understanding of your own emotions, reactions, thoughts, and feelings.
• Less reactivity, the ability to respond instead of just reacting.
• A greater sense of ease and well-being.
• Less distraction, not being so easily caught up in multitasking and scattered attention.
• The foundation of more self-care and self-compassion.
• The foundation for more care, concern, and compassion towards others.

Recommended reading

The Attention Revolution by Alan Wallace

Comments from previous participants

It is a really good course for building your foundations of meditation. Starting from the very basics and growing through the course. I really enjoyed it.

Practical information and how to register

Information about the course date, language, last day of registration, and if the course is also given online, can be found in the respective event. This is also where you register for the course by purchasing a ticket.

Upcoming Foundations of Mindfulness courses