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 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 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?
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. Although the benefits of practicing mindfulness have been known for thousands of years, the concept of neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize and rewire its neural connections, enabling it to adapt and function in ways that differ from its prior state only started to be realized a couple of hundred years ago. This Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course 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.
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.
Anyone who
- has difficulty letting go of troubling thoughts and emotions
- isn’t aware of perceptions that are either distorted or not reflective of what is real
- is caught up in thoughts of the past or worries about the future
- isn’t aware of their emotions and the connection they have to bodily sensations
- suffers from chronic pain or illness
- has been receiving medical and/or mental treatment that has not been effective,
then you may benefit from this course. Since every human suffers from the maladies of the sort listed above, every one of us may benefit from taking the MBSR course.
WHEN, WHERE AND HOW LONG THE CLASSES WILL BE HELD?
| Location:
All class gatherings will be held either via the Zoom platform or in person. The decision as to which way the course will be given is dependent on those who register. If the course is offered online, one link will be established for use in joining all class gatherings. That link will be sent to you prior to the course orientation. If the course will be offered in person, the location will most likely be in Silverton, Oregon and determined prior to the course orientation. |
When:The projected starting and ending dates of the course are January 11th and March 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. Tentatively, 2/8/2026 seems appropriate. |
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.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The cost of the course is $200.
Refund Policy
If you need to withdraw from the course, notify the teacher, you may receive a refund of part of your original fee.
HOW TO REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE
Send course tuition payments via Venmo to @CPMCOR (you may also need the last four digits of my phone number 6641) or send your personal check made out to Compassionate Presence Mindful Community to:
David Steinberg
205 Walnut Ave
Silverton, OR 97381
Via website
On the web page you're on now, MBSR Course Description page. Click the green and white “Click Here To Register” button at the bottom of the MBSR Course Description page. Fill in the Registration Form. Click the SUBMIT button on the Form (This sends an email to your teacher)
Otherwise
Send a message stating your intention to register for the course to Compassionatepresence@Yahoo.com or text to (971)218-6641.
You will receive a response confirming your registration.
QUESTIONS or CONCERNS
If you have any questions or concerns about this course, you may contact the course teacher, David Steinberg, via phone/ text (971) 218-6641, email CompassionatePresence@yahoo.com, or regular mail to 205 Walnut Ave., Silverton, OR 97381
