15/03/2022
I hope everyone is well, or if not, recovering in the best possible manner. It's time to learn again how to savour the good in life to balance out the negative impacts of the world around us.
It has become an even more unsettled time with the war in Ukraine. This war and human tragedy also appears to take precedence in much of the media. Then we have the extreme weather events happening more frequently. Of course, we still have COVID sitting there in the near background, and with the enormous closures happening in China, more supply chain issues will be occurring. These stressors all add up. At times like this is when we need mindfulness and compassion practices! We forget to savour the good and start getting cranky, unsettled, or simply tired.
Sometimes the simple act of mindfully preparing or preserving food is an enormous act of kindness to ourselves. Here in Krowera, we are busy now that it is autumn eating stuff from the garden and in April, making chutneys and hopefully more tomato paste. We are starting to get in the winter vegetables, mostly brassica's. With the eggplants coming on (I hope), we will soon make moussaka. I am also reviewing the program for the MSC retreat, adding in a few more movement practices and 'walking in nature' activities to the overall program.
We have several events soon that may be useful for you:
• A day of Mindfulness and Compassion and savouring the good – 3 April at Krowera Hall and then at Hill House in the gardens if weather permits.
• Online - A Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy course with myself and Paola Cheng starting on Tuesday 17 May and weekly for 8-sessions with an online retreat.
• Mindful Self-Compassion and Nature Retreat at Wilson's Promontory National Park – 1 to 7 May - we still have one place left
• Saturday morning online discussion about mindfulness and compassion - Michael and I have our regular Saturday morning online discussion about mindfulness and compassion at 9 am AEST Saturdays.
• MINDFUL SELF COMPASSION COURSE with Naturopath, Counsellor and Mindfulness Teacher Jad Patrick
A day of Mindfulness and Compassion and savouring the good
10 am to 3.30 pm, 3 April
A day of mindfulness, compassion and practices with attention being continually drawn to savouring the positive in realistic ways and, weather permitting, mindful walking and standing in the developing gardens. This day is near the one-year anniversary of the 2021 Retreat and maybe a good time to catch up with others!
This day will remind us of the beautiful note by Alice Walker: "In nature, nothing is perfect, and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful."
The day is by dana, an amount you can afford. We will supply fresh pickles, salad and soup for lunch, and you BYO a small plate to share. We will be joined by people attending the Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction class in Korumburra.
RSVP to John by email: john.julian56@gmail.com
Online - A Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy course with myself and Paola Cheng starting on 17 May – the cost is variable
Online: Tuesdays 17 May 2022 from 6.30 pm to 9 pm to 5 July 2022 onwards for 8 weekly sessions Cost $200 after Medicare rebate.
The MBCT & Stress Reduction Program is suitable for individuals actively interested in:
• developing ways to manage the challenges of everyday living.
• anyone committed to living life more fully,
• individuals who may have experienced stress, anxiety, depression, illness and other life challenges
Participants engage in experiential learning of the three core mindfulness practices – the Body Scan, Mindful Movement, and Mindful Sitting meditation
The program has two essential components:
1. Groups meet once weekly for 8-weeks, for 2 hours, where learning is mainly experiential, engaging in the core Mindfulness practices, with additional exercises and teachings to support learning.
2. The second essential component is the home practice. Home practice includes "formal" practices (body scan, mindful movement, mindful sitting meditations) and "informal" mindfulness practices where you can explore bringing mindfulness to the activities of your everyday living. The regular daily home practice of around 40 minutes a day is required to gain maximum benefit from the course. A good proportion of the course is about how to achieve this.
The program usually costs a minimum of $350 with the Medicare group rebate of $144.00, meaning that this course will only cost a person approximately $200.00. If you cannot afford the fee, please get in touch with us as we are happy to reduce it. We need a minimum of 6 people on Medicare to be able to use the group rebate. We do have a limited number of Medicare only places. Note: Medicare has a separate group component separate from the one-to-one part, and everyone is eligible for ten roup sessions in 2022.
Mindful Self-Compassion and Nature Retreat at Wilson's Promontory National Park
To learn more about this, please go to:
https://www.thinkinghealthy.com.au/retreat-msc-and-nature-2022.php
or ring me.
Saturday morning online discussion about mindfulness and compassion
Most Saturday mornings, Michael and I discuss all things mindful and compassionate live on Facebook. Questions and comments are welcomed!
https://www.facebook.com/Mindfulness-based-Stress-Reduction-201515396529553
MINDFUL SELF COMPASSION COURSE with Naturopath, Counsellor and Mindfulness Teacher Jad Patrick
• Have you ever noticed that the way we treat ourselves is often quite different to how we would treat a close friend or loved one? We usually respond to other people's difficulties with compassion, encouragement, and kindness, yet our own inner voice can often be harsh and self-critical. Mindful Self Compassion is the antidote to this harsh, often counterproductive, self-critical approach. In this 8-week evidence-based program, you will learn three core aspects of self-compassion.
What you will learn:
Mindfulness: being open to the reality of present moment that releases the internal struggle with how things are, and learn to respond with ease.
Common humanity: recognising we are not alone in our struggles, and developing a sense of authentic connection.
Kindness: learning to respond to our OWN suffering with the same compassion we would do to a close friend. Motivating ourselves with encouragement instead of self-criticism and living in accordance with our deepest values.
WHEN
Wednesday nights from 23/03/22 at 6:30pm-8:30pm at Merge Health, 924 Riversdale Road, Surrey Hills, VIC.
Light refreshments provided (Gluten and Dairy Free)
To register your interest contact Merge Health on 98898008
Mindfulness & Self-Compassion Courses | Merge Health
Warm regards
john
Mindful Eco-Wellness Strategies
