Overview: This is a 6-week intensive program utilizing the stabilizing qualities of mindfulness mediation for deep healing of blocked or long-standing emotional issues (e.g. childhood abuse, other emotional and/or psychological trauma) as well as reactive patterns associated with physical pain from illness or disease.

Drawing on the power of mindfulness practices for support, we will create a safe space for investigation, acknowledgement and release of increasingly subtle discomforts within the mind/body by allowing space for the underlying energy to move through. We will be cultivating the skills of equanimity and spacious non-reactivity when experiences of anxiety, fear, sadness and depression rise into awareness, giving these energies room to fall away without the mind’s usual elaborations of clinging and aversion.

I will offer specific instructions throughout the program not only on deepening the practices of mindfulness meditation but on dealing with common obstacles such as 'the mind that wants to know,' the 'I can fix it all in my head' syndrome and 'this pain is too much to sit with' reaction. We’ll have others come up, I’m sure, and they will be addressed in turn.

While the 2 hour sessions will focus primarily on sitting meditation, we will also 'take breaks' with mindful Hatha yoga, mindful walking, standing, staying as much as possible 'in process' and 'within our direct experience' as it unfolds. Much more will be shared about this process and these issues as the program moves along.

Safety Issues: In order to allow space for this level of release and processing of physical, emotional and psychic energy, it is important that we all agree to the following:

Confidentiality: What is said and expressed (e.g. history, tears, sounds or movement) in the room, stays in the room. We don’t talk about what occurs here with our partners, spouses or friends in a way that could compromise another’s privacy. We respect each other’s personal rights and boundaries in these delicate, painful and often shame-related issues.

No 'Cross Talk': To allow space for each person in the group to open up as deeply as possible, we agree not to challenge anyone, try to 'fix' anyone or otherwise interfere with their process (e.g. allow our own discomfort to move us to try to calm them down).

I will guide the group though the meditation/healing processes and have time for Q/A, discussion and sharing during specific times during our sessions. Please limit your questions as much as possible to these times. If, however, you need clarification or help in moving forward, simply make eye contact with me and raise your hand and I will get to you as quickly as I can.

Limited Eye Contact: In further protecting this space, it will be necessary to limit eye contact during our sessions so as to not 'pull out our personalities/protective personas' and thereby move into self referencing/self consciousness, that can limit or halt the deep emotional opening process. Limiting eye contact can be uncomfortable and an interesting mindful practice in itself.

Commit to Attending All Sessions: It can be very discouraging to others in the group if some members fail to show up for sessions. It can also be all too easy to 'have to miss' a session when the healing process is moving into some painful, frightening or otherwise disturbing areas. So please make every effort to attend all 6 sessions and to be on time if at all possible. I also understand that sometimes things come up and other responsibilities have to be honored. In this case, please give me a call and let me know that you will be missing the session or will be coming in a little late. Email is not reliable for this purpose. Please call 813-980-2700 and leave me a message if I’m unable to answer.

Silence: mostly this means no 'idle chatter/small talk' or the usual reactive comments to another’s process and holding your questions until a Q/A period as much as possible (see 'No Cross Talk' above.) This does NOT mean that you should feel self-conscious should you cry or feel the need to move quietly while allowing energy to be released. Depending upon the needs of the particular group, we may also have periods of "verbal expression and release" at various times. Since we all will be moving around during the sessions, it would be helpful to wear 'quiet' clothing (i.e. cotton rather than nylon for example) AND avoid wearing strongly scented products such as perfumes and lotions as some people have adverse reactions to them.

What to Bring:

Sitting cushion (zafu), pad (zabuton) and yoga mat if you have them. There are Mexican blankets and a few zafus and yoga mats on hand which can be used if you don't already have your own.

Small Personal Blanket: As the room will be cool for some, a small personal blanket might be useful to avoid chill and to add to your sense of safety and comfort.

Water bottle or if you prefer, drinking water will be available

Notebook and pen in case you want to make notes or journal

An Open and Courageous Attitude

Making the Most of this Experience at Home: Some things that will likely help move you through this process with less distress and greater effectiveness would include:

Use the MBSR and MBGpTx CDs whenever you feel the need for a bit of additional support in your daily meditation/yoga practice.

Keep a Daily Journal of your experiences and process. This doesn’t have to be elaborate or detailed, but it certainly can be if that fits your nature. But just a line or two each day will help get the information out of your head and provide a record of your travels.

Record Your Dreams in as much detail as possible. As we move through this program, the channels of communication between the unconscious and conscious mind will hopefully begin to open up and dreams are one way this communication is received. Make a clear intention to wake up and write down your dreams and have a pad and pen ready by your bed. This can be frustrating at first especially for those who don’t usually remember their dreams. But if you persist, you may be pleasantly surprised with the results.

Avoid Stressful Situations as best you can. Limit commitments to extended family members and do what you can to carve out some alone time for yourself, get a massage, take some walks in the woods, go to the beach… have some fun with yourself!

Don’t Try Too Hard. This should have been the first thing on the list. We have to find a balance between striving and allowing. We need to remember that we only need to get out of the way and trust the wisdom of the body/mind/spirit to heal itself. Trying too hard puts too much ego into the process and is counter-productive. Relax with a compassionate, mindful attitude.