CALENDAR

Menu
Log in

    • 15 Oct 2025
    • 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    • In-Person & Online
    Register

    With Fred Eppsteiner


    Dates: Wednesday Evenings, October 15, 22, 29 & November 5

    Registration Deadline: October 12
    Suitability
    Anyone wishing to better understand and more skillfully work with anger. This workshop is open to both members and non-members and is offered in person and online.

    Description

    Stress and anxiety are seen by many as a "given" in today's world, but in fact they are neither normal nor healthy. Actually, stress and anxiety compound difficulties in our lives, creating greater challenges for our mental and physical wellbeing, relationships, work fulfillment, and more.


    Many people who come to our community or our classes/workshops are often plagued by low to high levels of stress, worry/anxiety, depression, and/or a feeling that their life is out of control. Within the matrix of our current environment wherein social, environmental and political crisis are becoming the norm, these challenges are only intensified.


    Transforming Stress and Anxiety is a four-week program that will provide participants with practical and effective mindfulness practices to help reduce their stress and mental confusion, and support greater emotional health and personal well-being. The weekly meetings will help participants integrate these practices into daily life. Led by FCM's founding teacher Fred Eppsteiner, the focus of the program will be:

    1. Transforming our view of the world, people and ourselves so we can live fully based in reality without either being overwhelmed and stressed by life nor endlessly needing escapist diversions
    2. Learning specific mental skills and competencies to support one's ability to live with greater clarity, intelligence and ease in daily life
    3. Learning how to identify and support our individual path of self-development.

    Course Instructor

    Our Teacher Fred Eppsteiner will be using his training as a family therapist, plus his experience as a meditation and Dharma teacher, to create a challenging and opening environment for workshop participants to learn practical and easily applicable means to facilitate the workshop’s goals. Theoretical and psychological presentations, mindfulness practice, and guided experiential meditations will all be utilized during the workshop.


    Fred has been a student of the psychology of Buddhist meditation for over 50 years, and was a psychotherapist for more than 30 years. He has trained extensively in the Buddhist meditative traditions the U.S. and Asia. He received permission to teach from Thich Nhat Hanh in 1994 and is the editor of two books: The Path of Compassion and Interbeing.

    Fees

    This workshop is presented by the Florida Community of Mindfulness at our Practice Center, 6501 N. Nebraska Ave in Tampa. The fee for this workshop is $100. A reduced rate of $50 is available for individuals needing financial support.

    Cancellation Policy: Full refund prior to Class 1. No refunds after Class 1.

    Contacts for More Information
    If you have any questions about this class, please e-mail us at info@floridamindfulness.org or call 813-237-0746.

    • 29 Oct 2025
    • 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    • In-Person
    Register

    with John McHarris


    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, October 29 and November 5, 12, & 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Classes will be held in-person. The cost is $75 for all four sessions. If you have questions, please contact us at info@floridamindfulness.org.


    John McHarris is a Dharma Instructor with the Florida Community of Mindfulness. He has been a student of FCM's teacher Fred Eppsteiner since 2011. John completed FCM's three year Dharma Transmission Group program, and is an ordained member of the Order of Interbeing. He has Co-led various FCM offerings such as the Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation class, FCM Intensives, and Days of Mindfulness. John is the current Chair of FCM's Board of Directors. Although based in Naples, he's also a part-time Tampa resident; in conjunction with FCM's Residency program.



    • 22 Nov 2025
    • 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
    • Tampa Center and Online

    Save the date

    • 31 Dec 2099
    • 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    • Online
    Register


    Dates

    This is a Self-Paced Course for FCM Members - Enroll Anytime and Complete on Your Schedule
    Suitability
    Individuals at any stage of practice, from beginner to more experienced, who wish to establish a strong foundation of "Right View"  for practicing on the Buddhist path 

    Description

    The Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind Toward Dharma - Precious Human Life, Impermanence, Defects of Samsara, and Cause and Effect - are an essential foundational teaching in Buddhist practice. Without a deep understanding and integration of these teachings, we will not build the strong foundation needed to support our continued development on the spiritual path.

    In this five-module course, our study and contemplation of the Four Thoughts will guide us in turning away from the distractions of samsara—the endless cycle of suffering—and toward the path of genuine liberation. When understood deeply and practiced sincerely, these reflections have the power to illuminate the mind with wisdom, dissolving the delusions and misunderstandings that give rise to suffering.


    This 5-part, self-guided, pre-recorded audio course will help you to::

    • Gain both an intellectual understanding of the Four Thoughts and a heartfelt recognition of the nature of existence.
    • Learn how to reflect on these contemplations and bring them into our life experiences.
    • Awaken a sense of clarity and urgency about why we practice the Dharma.
    • Be inspired to turn our minds toward the Dharma so that we can focus on what truly matters and begin to align our lives with wisdom and compassion.

    The course includes recorded talks by Fred, readings, guided meditations, reflection questions, and suggested practice opportunities. A participant Discussion Forum is also provided for sharing insights with the course mentors and other participants in the course.


    This course is open to members of the Florida Community of Mindfulness. It is a Self-Paced course, conducted entirely online, with access to a Course Mentor. Total expected time to complete the course is estimated at 10-15 hours, but participants complete the course on their own schedule.
    Course Instructors
    Fred Eppsteiner has been a student of the psychology of Buddhist meditation for over 50 years and was a psychotherapist for more than 30 years. He has trained extensively in the Buddhist meditative traditions the U.S. and Asia. He received permission to teach from Thich Nhat Hanh in 1994 and is the editor of two books: The Path of Compassion and Interbeing. He is the founding teacher of the Florida Community of Mindfulness.
    Fees

    This course if offered on a donation-basis. Participants select an amount, if any, that they would like to offer to support future programs at FCM.

    Contacts for More Information
    If you have any questions about this course or whether it is appropriate for you, please e-mail us at info@floridamindfulness.org or call 813-237-0746.

Florida Community of Mindfulness, Tampa Center
6501 N. Nebraska Avenue
Tampa, FL 33604

Click below to learn about:

Naples Sangha

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software