MBSR course description
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Introduction
It isn't too far-fetched to suggest that your mind, like your car, might need a tune up or even an overhaul. Think of all the times you've used it without having a checkup. Think of the hills and bumps in the road of life that cause you to slow down, get stuck in the mud of strong negative emotions, or some chronic condition makes it difficult to live a meaningful life.
No matter whether it's a negative emotion such as anger, frustration, sadness, or you are dealing with chronic mental or physical conditions, some valuable tools that can provide relief from the stress related to them are mindfulness and mindful meditation.
By taking the next Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course you will learn about those tools and how to apply them in your life.
The next course will start September, 2026
MBSR Course Description
WHAT IS THIS COURSE ABOUT?
The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course consists of a series of ten classes in which you will experience and learn what it means to be mindful. Being “mindful” is to practice nonjudgmental awareness in the present moment with curiosity and open acceptance. The practice of mindfulness has been in existence for at least a couple of thousand years and in recent years the benefits of that practice have been validated through scientific research. It is now used in many situations such as everyday stress reduction, pain management, treatment of PTSD, sports, medical treatment, physical and mental therapy. The list of uses is already long and growing every day.
The practice of mindfulness is concerned with strengthening your awareness of the present moment and the connection between your mind and your body. Along the path leading toward mindfulness the course cultivates your qualities of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity for yourself and others. This strengthening of awareness and cultivation of personal qualities is done through the use of meditation, mindful movement, body scans, and contemplation of the experience of this practice.
These activities help build awareness of:
- your body,
- feeling tones,
- feelings, emotions, and thoughts,
- how you perceive all of the above
- your perception of all that your mind and body receive through your sense organs.
This course is definitely meant to be a participatory experience!
By taking the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Course you will learn how to respond to your strong negative emotions with your inherent wisdom, compassion, and understanding. Through the application of mindfulness those negative emotions will no longer control your speech and actions.
Throughout the activities, you always have a choice to do as asked or not. Your physical and mental comfort are of utmost importance. We wish to offer you a safe space in which to experience mindfulness and strengthen your connection to it.
WHAT IT’S NOT
While we do not deny the origins of the practice of mindfulness are rooted in Buddhist teachings, the presentation of the teachings in this course is done in a secular manner. Taking part in this course is NOT a religious experience and is definitely not meant to be in conflict with any religious practice. However, you may find it spiritually enlightening. You may find that through the practice of mindfulness in your daily life and indeed, your religious experience may be enhanced. You’ll be more present.
We do not offer therapy. However, you may find the experience of taking these classes therapeutic, transformative, and inspirational. You may become aware of not just the connection between your body and your mind but more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and ways your mind has been conditioned to interpret both those internal expressions and the external sensations received from your sense organs.
YOUR TEACHER
Your journey toward mindfulness will be led by David Steinberg, a dedicated practitioner who has been working toward embodying the teachings of mindfulness since 2009. David has extensive experience in mindfulness, including leading meditation gatherings and founding a local meditation group. He earned certification as a mindfulness teacher and continues to strengthen his mindfulness teaching skills through further education and practice. He aims to make these teachings accessible and relatable for those seeking inner peace and enlightenment.
WHY BE A PARTICIPANT IN THIS COURSE?
Benefits of participating in a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course
There are many papers, articles, videos, and books available that explain mindfulness and how to use it to reduce the effects of stress on your mind and body. So, why take the course? A major reason is the physical and mental experience gained from it. It is this firsthand experience that helps change the way you speak, act, and think. By participating in the class and homework activities you will be modifying your brain. This concept of being able to modify your central nervous system, which includes your brain, in response to internal and external stimuli is known as neuroplasticity. Although the benefits of practicing mindfulness have been known for thousands of years, the concept of neuroplasticity only started to be realized a couple of hundred years ago. The intention of this Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course is to guide you through activities that are meant to take advantage of this neuroplasticity. So, you will be able to reduce your tendency to react to life's stressful circumstances with your habitual behavior.
MBSR was created by Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979. Since then, much scientific research has taken place that validate the benefits of taking it. The benefits are real and can be long-lasting.
If you choose to participate fully in the classes, you will be
- more aware of what is going on in your life,
- able to let go of troubling thoughts,
- sensing your pain and discomfort in a way that reduces your suffering,
- more fully present with others,
- more aware of perceptions that are either distorted or not reflective of what is real.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?
This course is now used to address many situations such as everyday stress reduction, pain management, treatment of PTSD, sports, medical treatment, physical and mental therapy. The list of uses is already long and growing every day.
Since every human suffers from some of the following conditions:
- difficulty letting go of troubling thoughts and emotions
- lack of awareness of perceptions that are either distorted or not reflective of what is real
- being caught up in thoughts of the past or worries about the future
- lack of awareness of their emotions and the connection they have to bodily sensations
- chronic pain or illness
- having received medical and/or mental treatment that has not been effective,
they may benefit from this MBSR course.
Compassionate Presence Mindful Community MBSR course
WHERE, WHEN AND HOW LONG THE CLASSES WILL BE HELD?
Location:
All class gatherings will be held in person. The location will be determined prior to the course orientation.
When:The projected starting and ending dates of the course will be September 7th through November 15th. The day of the week and the time of day for the classes are yet to be finalized. The date of the Day of Mindfulness (DOM) will be determined by consensus.
Class Durations and Start time: Each class, with the exception of the Orientation and the DOM will last 2 1/2 hours. The Orientation will last 2 hours and the DOM will last 7 hours.
