Many of you recall your time in MBSR as a small group experience.   This winter, there are 22 people in class!  We have a classroom that  supports a group this size: not too big, not too small, just right.   The circle is expanding.  The conversation is reaching into new spaces. Mindfulness practice is benefitting more and more people in our community!

The space has been hosted this winter by Peacemaker Resources, whose mission is enhanced by integrating mindfulness into its programming.   Peacemaker Resources  supports respectful, healthy communication in schools, family and work settings. Visit them at www.peacemakerresources.org  

If  winter has taken it out of you, consider a weekly refresher….mindfulness practice with others.  Spring Sitting meets each week on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-6:30pm.  This is not a class per se, but an opportunity for those beginning or maintaining meditation practice to meet with others for a weekly sit.  It is free, takes up only an hour and includes a 30 minute meditation and peer to peer discussion about practice. Yes, its cold outside, but warm within the company of others…..Don’t keep meditating alone!    Click here for details.

Yes, we’ve been hibernating. It’s the wise thing to do in an especially cold deep winter.  Eventually though, we know we’ll start stirring, just like the trees, and the bears, and everything else in nature. We will enter that amazing and difficult time of transition:  too late to ski; too mushy to ride a bike; too cold  to garden. What to do?  Why not make a commitment to wake up with Mindfulness practice?  This year’s Winter Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Class will be held throughout the months of March and April 2014.  The class teaches empirically supported meditation practices that help ease stress, increase awareness and foster overall contemplation and appreciation of life itself.  Now’s the time to clear your schedule Tuesday evenings 6:00 to 8:30pm through the months of March and April.  Basic orientation and registration materials are available (click here)  For more information about the instructor, the class and the growing mindfulness community in our area, surf around on this site or contact Geri Wilimek at geriwilimek@gmail.com. 

Sound silly? Not when you back it up  with a check for $200 to the Bemidji Food Shelf.   The money came from donations made by people attending the Summer Sitting Group.  Many thanks to everyone who contributed.  Nourishment of the body supports healthy minds.  Fall Sitting continues throughout September, October and November.  Wednesday nights. First Lutheran Church Chapel.  5:30-6:30pm.  Everyone welcome.  e-mail geriwilimek@gmail.com with questions.

No matter what you have planned, and no matter how that plan unfolds, you can carry yourself through the holiday with awareness.  A great place to start is with centering, silent meditation.  Whatever your meditation practice, you are welcome to sit in the quiet supportive company of others.  Summer Sitting meets each Wednesday throughout  the summer, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.  First Lutheran Church provides the space.  Chairs are provided, and if you prefer to sit on the floor with a cushion, bring your own.  See the Class Schedule page for address and directions. Come and sit!

Who said summer has to be warm?  Whatever the temp, we call it “summer sitting”, an opportunity for you to pause at the end of the day in silent meditation with others.  Anyone with a meditation practice is welcome.  If you’re a beginner, come at 5:20 for a brief orientation.  Summer Sitting is  practical and supportive, even if you have a tight schedule.  De-stress from the day and move mindfully into your evening.

Where: First Lutheran Church  900 Bemidji Ave. N. Park in the North Lot. For a map, Click here

When:  5:30-6:30  Wednesday evenings  June through August

Contact: Geri Wilimek  444-6260 or geriwilimek@gmail.com

Winter 2013 classes and past MBSR participants gathered for a day of  silent meditation practice  on Saturday March 16, 2013.  It was a sunny day after a snow storm, white, cold and sparkling.   At the All Day Silent Retreat held on March 17 one  year ago a tepid breeze and greening grass enabled outdoor practice! I enjoy hearing from people as they reflect on different aspects of the retreat: mindfully eating lunch; for some the relief and others the  discomfort of not speaking all day; the freedom to decide from moment to moment how to hold a yoga pose, or where to direct lovingkindness.  People also declare value in working with unpleasantness: sleepiness, headaches, difficult memories or fears.  The event encourages us to return again and again to present moment awareness, letting go of judgment, gently acknowledging, rather than resisting or modifying experience as it arises.  The value of awareness reveals itself to each person uniquely.  The All Day Retreat provides quiet, respectful space for this to happen.

Its time to make tracks to a day of guided mindfulness practice!  Everyone who has taken the MBSR course is invited to the All Day Silent Retreat, March 16 at Beltrami Electric Community Room.  Pack a lunch for mindful eating practice.  Cushions, blankets and chairs are available, or bring your own.  Dress in layers for comfort.  Water, coffee, tea, and healthy snacks will be available.  The retreat starts at 9:00am and is over at 4:00pm.  Come a bit early to have tea or coffee with others, and get settled. For a map, click here.

Hello to all who are interested in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction.  Also known as MBSR, this  is an 8-week meditation-based approach to working with stresses that arise in life.  It is well established in the scientific literature as an effective way to address  challenges, including chronic pain, anxiety, and work, social and family stresses.  The course is rooted in Buddhist psychology, and is compatible with any philosophical or religious background.   The January 29 orientation will provide the opportunity to learn more about the class and to briefly experience mindfulness meditation guided by the instructor, Geri Wilimek, MSW; LICSW .  For Daytime and Evening Class times, click here                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      When: 6:00pm-7:30pm Tuesday January 29, 2013        Where: Beltrami Electric Community Room.   Need a map?  Click here