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Mindfulness Classes in the Workplace
Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present experience.
It isn't more complicated that that.
It is opening to or receiving the present moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is,
without either clinging to it or rejecting it.
--Sylvia Boorstein--
Meditation is not to escape from society,
but to come back to ourselves and see what is going on.
Once there is seeing, there must be acting.
With mindfulness, we know what to do and what not to do to help.
--Thic Nhat Hahn--
All of us seek to find balance in our work, family and social lives. With the escalating pace of life and the demands placed on us by our many opportunities and responsibilities, people feel over scheduled, stressed out and generally unsatisfied. When we are stressed and out of alignment, all aspects of our lives can suffer. Employers are increasingly challenged to find ways to support a healthy and happy work force.
There is a long and growing field of evidence that verifies the positive effects of mindfulness meditation. Visonary companies like Google and Apple as well as venerable leaders like Duetsche Bank and Hughes Aircraft have established meditation classes and groups in their companies to support their employees and the bottom line.
People that practice mindfulness techniques are generally happier, healthier and more productive. Daniel Goleman, the best selling author of Emotional Intelligence, says that the most important indicator of a successful employee, at any level, is their emotional intelligence. He, along with many other researchers, teachers and experts agree that one of the best ways for an adult to improve their emotional intelligence is by meditating.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is both the intention and practice of being present to our life just as it is, whether we are at work, at home or sitting on a meditation cushion. The ability to be present to the actual experience of life is calming and clarifying. It allows us to slowdown and act with purpose. Over time the practice of returning to the moment gives rise to ease and inner wisdom that can fundamentally change our perspective of and relationship to life. Meditation is really just the art of being fully alive.
What does this class include?
This class will include instruction in basic mindfulness techniques that can be applied to daily life as well as a formal meditation practice. Areas covered include; seated and walking meditations, how to be more fully present at work, mindful eating, and mindful parenting. There will be a considerable amount of time given to in class practices with question and answer periods following. There will also be some discussion time given to basic principles of mindfulness, feedback on people’s experience and tips on how to establish one’s own practice. There will be some easy movement or stretching exercises and participants will receive written material and a guide to resources. In multi-session classes there may be some reading assignments and journaling.
Scheduling Options
This class can be offered in several formats:
The host organization will be responsible for providing a suitable quiet space and chairs.