Do you live in your thoughts about the past or worries about the future? Do your emotions often cause stress and confusion? Do you get carried away by dramas.

Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation is a four-week course designed to support the practice of mindfulness, helping us develop the skills and attention to be fully present to our lives in the present moment, and to touch each moment deeply. It is intended for those new to mindfulness and meditation, as well as for those who want to review the basics and establish a more consistent daily mindfulness and meditation practice. The course includes basic instruction as well as an exploration of practical ways to bring mindfulness into daily activities.

Learning Objectives:

• Systematically explore mindfulness of breathing, the body and physical sensations through sitting and walking meditation and the body scan practice.
• Establish and maintain a daily meditation practice.
• Practice mindful meditation to explore the emotions, thoughts, and overall awareness.
• Apply mindfulness to difficult emotions and thoughts to avoid getting caught up in dramas.
• Cultivate daily meditation and mindfulness practices so that mindfulness becomes an integral part of your daily life.

This four-week course will begin on Wednesday, September 7, 14, 21 & October 5 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Classes will be held in-person and online. The cost is $75 for all four sessions. If you have questions, please contact us at info@floridamindfulness.org.

Class Instructors:

Maria Teresa Jaureguizar first took refuge and the Five Precepts from Gyokoko Carlson in 1999 at the Dharma Rain Zen Center in Portland Oregon. Upon moving to Florida with her spouse, she became a formal student of Fred Eppsteiner in 2012 and was ordained into the Order of Interbeing in 2019. Maria Teresa completed the three-year Dharma Transmission Program in 2018 and has taught various classes related to meditation, mindfulness, and basics of Buddhism. She finds joy in nature, in mentoring those on the meditational path and serving the community. She currently serves as the Community Care Leader. She also works for Hillsborough County Government -Healthcare Services Department.

Carol Meyer met Fred Eppsteiner in 2009 when she was the Director of Southern Dharma Retreat Center in NC and Fred came to teach a 7-day silent retreat.  In June 2012 she received the Five Mindfulness Trainings, joined Florida Community of Mindfulness, and became Fred’s student.  Carol was ordained in the Order of Interbeing at Magnolia Grove in September 2017 and currently serves in the role of FCM’s OI Leader.  She has also served as a member of the Board, Board Secretary, and co-author of key FCM documents, such as FCM’s Organization Manual and Sangha Harmony Guide.  Carol currently also serves as Solitary Retreat Coordinator and is a Facilitator in the Meditation in Recovery program.  Her professional experience includes teaching as an MIT faculty member, design and development of employee training programs, and 15 years of service as a Unitarian Universalist parish minister giving sermons and leading adult religious education programs.