Do you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed and find it hard to relax? Do you experience having a hard time slowing down and being present for relationships and things that really matter to you?
In this four week introduction to mindfulness course, we will explore what mindfulness meditation is (and is not), the benefits of mindfulness, and how we can integrate it into our lives to access more presence and spaciousness, especially around difficult thoughts and feelings.
Each class in this series will be devoted to exploring our relationship to one of several areas including breath and body, feeling/emotions, and thoughts. In addition, one class will be dedicated to the practice of developing compassion, both in relationship to ourselves and others. Although the sources of these mindfulness practices come from Buddhist tradition originating 2500 years ago, this course will pull on more contemporary understandings of mindfulness, including Jewish perspectives.
The 75 minute sessions will consist of an explanation and talk, meditation instruction, and a period of questions and answers. This class is only open to those who register for the full 4-class series, as each class will build upon the previous session. Although this class is designed for beginners, practitioners of all levels are welcome.
Contact lrappaport@bethelsynagogue.org to register.
Makai Dorfman has been pra
cticing meditation for over 12 years and is deeply passionate to share his experience as it has made a transformative impact in his own life and in his relationships. He has attended and volunteered on several insight meditation retreats in the Goenka tradition and through Common Ground Meditation Center in addition to a number Jewish meditation retreats. Makai is currently in a two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Training Program led by Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield and is teaching this course as a part of his requirements. He has worked as a Jewish Educator for over 13 years in a variety of settings and across ages, including teaching for two years in Beth El’s Aleph Preschool. Makai has a Masters in Jewish Education through the Jewish Theological Seminary in NYC and is currently in a Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
