​​​

Mindfulness is a simple, yet powerful practice of training our attention to the present moment - and of noticing whatever arises with gentle curiosity. It is a critical foundation for looking within (at our thoughts, feelings & body sensations) through a clear, nurturing lens.

​​​

​Mindfulness helps us to see our own nature - our patterns of thinking, feeling & behaving. Through practice we become more aware of the ways in which our habitual reactions can add to the stress of our everyday life. We can gain profound insight & a deep awareness which enables us to choose how we respond to whatever occurs in our life.

​

What is the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course?​​​​​

​

MBSR was developed in the 1970s to enable a wider audience to benefit from mindfulness approaches. The course explores traditional zen & vipassana practices through an accessible, secular, evidence based format.​​ It synthesizes ancient Eastern spiritual practices with emerging findings from neuroscience, positive psychology & Mind-Body Medicine.

​​​​​

The MBSR course is now considered the gold standard in mindfulness meditation globally, with a growing body of research supporting its wide-ranging health & wellbeing benefits.

​​​

What are the benefits?​​

​

Research has found the MBSR course can help:​​

• reduce stress, anxiety & depression​

• improve learning & memory, emotional regulation & perspective taking

• reduce pain, fatigue & stress in people with chronic pain

• manage diabetes distress, weight, glycaemic control & blood pressure

• reduce menopausal symptoms

• to act with greater intentionality & purpose

 

You can also watch a short animation here on why mindfulness is a super power.

​

​​The course has been developed to help anyone who experiences stress (i.e. most of humanity) to find more helpful ways to relate to it. It can also be useful for those who want to build a stronger foundational meditation practice in order to explore their emotions, thoughts & who they are beyond these.

​​

​​​It is suitable for those new to meditation as well as those looking to deepen, or reconnect with, their practice. 

​​​​​

​​​​

​​

What to expect​

​​

Sessions will include guided meditation practices, group reflection & sharing as well as a range of practical & insightful exercises to help build fresh perspectives & insights of our habitual patterns.

 

Some meditations will involve gentle movement, but most can be practiced seated (on chair or cushion) or lying down - whatever works for your body.

​

​

​​

​​

​​

​​

​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​​

​

​This course is offered over 8 weeks (the traditional format for MBSR). Session timings & themes are detailed below.

​​​​​

• Mon 6th Oct (5-7pm) - What is mindfulness

​​​​​​​

• Mon 13th Oct (5-7pm) - How we perceive the world & ourselves

​​​​​​​​

• Mon 20th Oct (5-7pm) - Mindfulness of breath & body in movement

​​​​​​​

• Mon 27th Oct (5-7pm) - Learning about our patterns of stress reactivity

​​​​​​

• Mon 3rd Nov (5-7pm) - Working with stress - mindful responding instead of reacting

​​​​​​

• Mon 10th Nov (5-7pm) - Interpersonal mindfulness (stressful communications)

​​​​​

• Mon 17th Nov (5-7pm) - Lifestyle choices (how can I best take care of myself)

​​​​​​

• Mon 24th Nov (5-7pm) - How to keep your mindfulness alive

​​​​​​​​

​​​

Participant requirements

​​​

Sessions are held in a small group format. Sharing our experiences of the practice is a key part of the learning journey. So you need to be willing to share occasionally & hold information shared by others with kindness & confidentiality. We will explore how to take care of both the group & ourselves in the opening session.

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To get the most from the course it is suggested you attend all sessions, commit to a daily meditation practice for the duration of the course, & undertake the suggested home practice exercise (such as mindful eating/ noticing pleasant events).​​

​​

​​​​​​​​​​​​Teacher

​​

The course will be led by Helen Eveleigh, a qualified MBSR teacher based in Auroville.

​​​​

Course location​

​​​​

The course is held in Radiance, Aurodam community, Auroville.​​

​​​​

Cost & booking​

​​​​

The price for the MBSR course is Rs. 7,500. This includes GST & Auroville contribution. Payments can be made on our website through GPAY etc.

​​​

All participants receive a workbook (hard & soft copy), access to all of the guided meditations & a complimentary place at a Mindfulness Kindfulness half day retreat. ​A certificate of participation will also be availble for those who complete the course.

​

For Auroville community members (Aurovilians, Newcomers & SAVI registered volunteers) the course is offered on contribution of their choice basis.

​​​

Please use the link below to register for the MBSR course.  If you have any questions please whatsapp Helen on +917094753054.​​​​​​​​