Welcome!
Thank you for joining the workshop and congratulations on taking this adventurous step!
I’m so glad you’re looking for new ways to take care of yourself. And now you’re going to become an active participant on the part of your own growth and healing.
Why learn this kind of meditation?
With mindfulness meditation, you’ll be able to reduce stress, cultivate self-compassion, and learn to recognize negative thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Using informal and formal practices, you’ll learn the basics of mindfulness meditation, how to deal with unwanted thoughts/emotions/feelings, and record your practice.
Why did I learn Mindfulness Meditation?
I came to this practice because I needed help. I was stressed out. I was unhappy.
My relationships with my spouse, family, and friends were suffering. I didn’t know why I was so unhappy. There was a lot happening in my life, I should have been happy, but I wasn’t. After trying all my old remedies, yoga, eating well for me, and trying to motivate myself to the gym. I even contacted my health provider for anti-stress medications. I knew this state was temporary, but I didn’t see an end in site going the way I was going.
One afternoon, a friend asked how I was doing, and I was honest. The most honest I had been in a long time. She referred me to an online course on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, MBSR. Over those 8 weeks, I was introduced to tools and techniques that helped me see when I wasn’t seeing reality, when I wasn’t being kind or compassionate to myself, when I was pushing myself too hard, and when I had unrealistic expectations for myself. For me, Mindfulness Meditation is a gateway. It’s a way to relax and reduce stress, of course, but it’s also a way to find self-compassion. Mindfulness also showed me how to not only recognize the negative self-talk and what to do next.
What to expect
Much of our lives are spent trying to find the right words, to fit in socially, to be viewed in a good light. Forget that crap. I’m blunt. I dig to get to the truth. I turn full-faced into fear and doubt so that I can deal with it!
In this course, I’ll help you peel away the bullshit that can cloud our visions. You’ll learn to recognize when you are reacting negatively. You’ll learn about how to recognize self-talk and work through it. We’ll focus on grounding ideas like self-compassion, non-judgmental, non-striving, and letting be. At the end of this course, my hope is that you’ll be more aware of your actions, reactions, emotions, and feelings and empowered in how you want to consciously move forward.
It may see like a lot to learn. It’s something new. New is intimidating and that’s okay!
Remember: You’re not alone! I may not be on the same journey as you, and I recognize that. We’re going to take the next steps together, slowly, and intentionally.
Each week, there will be stuff to read and different ways to learn Mindfulness. After each class, there are formal and informal practices that you can do throughout the week to practice Mindfulness. I’ve created space for you to journal your journey. Documenting your experience is important to see where you are, what you’ve done, and where you want to go next.
Get Started
Each week, we’ll practice new techniques and explore a variety of topics. I’ll provide lots of opportunities to bring awareness your thoughts, emotions, and feelings through meditations and writing practices.
It’s best to work the weeks in the order presented below as they build on each other.
In some lessons and topics, you’ll find additional resources on the Materials tab.
At the end of each lesson, there will be two types of practice, Formal and Informal. You’ll find instructions and handouts for each of these on the Materials tab at the end of each lesson.
Before you start the next lesson, upload your Formal and Informal assignments, then jump into the next lesson. I’ll review them and provide feedback.
You can also reach out to me anytime at holly@heltonhomestead.com.
Let’s Meditate!
Using the interactive table of contents below, you can moving from lesson to lesson. I recommend doing the lessons in order as they build upon each other.
