Online, originally presented February 28th - March 21st, 2022

Learn how to meditate, or enhance your existing practice, in this comprehensive introduction to mindfulness meditation. The course originally took place over a four-week period in early 2022 and includes replays of both pre-recorded content and ZOOM sessions . Sign up today and begin your mindfulness adventure!

Listen to a preview talk in the video below where D.R. (Don) Thompson talks about 'Minding the Gap' and introduces you to the concept of mindfulness, followed by a guided meditation.



Session One: Mindfulness of Breath and RAIN


Mindfulness of Breath and RAIN: In our first lecture and guided meditation, you'll be introduced to mindfulness and instructed on how to use the breath as an anchor to your meditation and guided through a mindfulness meditation as you breathe. In addition, you'll be introduced to the RAIN (Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture) practice and guided through this powerful technique for working through negative emotions such as self-judgment. Approximate time: 30 mins (pre-recorded online only); 60 mins (ZOOM session, including Q&A). All content is available for replay.



Session Two: Mindfulness of Body and Body Scan


Mindfulness of Body: In our second lecture and guided meditation, you'll be instructed on how to expand your mindfulness to the body, allowing the body to relax and rejuvenate. You'll be guided through a 'body scan' that focuses on awareness of the body and how to cope with sensations in the body. The goal is to become more aware of the body and how it is the seat of awareness and mindfulness. Approximate time: 30 mins (pre-recorded online only); 60 mins (ZOOM session, including Q&A). All content is available for replay.



Session Three: Mindfulness of Emotions


Mindfulness of Emotions: In our third lecture and guided meditation, you'll become more mindful of emotions and learn how to work with them to enhance your mindfulness practice. Topics include primary and secondary emotions, the different ways people experience emotions, and how to approach difficult emotions.  Approximate time: 30 mins (pre-recorded online only); 60 mins (ZOOM session, including Q&A). All content is available for replay.



Session Four: Mindfulness of Thoughts


Mindfulness of Thoughts: In our final lecture and guided meditation, you'll discover how your thoughts can be observed and not necessarily identified with. This is a liberating practice that frees you to be happier, more clear-headed, and able to deal more effectively with negative thoughts. Topics include the nature of thoughts, styles of thinking, and how to dissipate negative thought patterns. Approximate time: 30 mins (pre-recorded online only); 60 mins (ZOOM session, including Q&A). All content is available for replay.



Instructor

D. R. Thompson

Mindfulness Meditation Instructor

D. R. (Don) Thompson has been meditating and studying mindfulness for most of his adult life. He began his journey in meditation by completing the Self Realization Fellowship Lessons of Paramahansa Yogananda in his early twenties. Beginning in the early 1980s, he began his formal studies of Buddhism and meditation, including mindfulness, and in the 1990s began studying Tibetan Buddhism with numerous Tibetan teachers, including the Dalai Lama. More recently, Don has studied mindfulness and Vipassana meditation techniques with Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche of the Ripa International Center. Since 2020, Thompson has also studied mindfulness meditation techniques with Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, James Baraz, Judy Goodman and other teachers of the Spirit Rock Meditation Center. He has also studied with teachers of the Washington DC Insight Meditation Center, including Stan Eisenstein. He is currently participating in the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program (class of 2023) and as early as 2011 began teaching mindfulness meditation in Maryland at various meditation centers. You can read more about Don's background, including Buddhist-themed media he has helped produce, at his website: www.nextpixprods.com