Please join NSIMC meditation teacher Effie Stavrulaki for a four-week Tuesday night series this April, held in partnership with the First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist, in Newburyport
When: Tuesday evenings, 7-8:30 pm, April 2, 9, 23, and 30 (no class April 16)
Where: First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist, Lower Meetinghouse
Cost: $85 for the series ($80 cash or check)
Description: Lovingkindness and compassion practices can be cultivated with meditations designed to gently develop the qualities of friendliness, caring, and compassion for self and others. They are often called heart-based meditations and work in tandem with mindfulness practice. A large body of research suggests that heart-based practices, when taught effectively, can enhance one’s sense of well-being as well as one’s physical health and can also increase the likelihood of taking action to help others in need.
In this four-week series we will introduce a variety of ways to engage with lovingkindness and compassion, both formally through meditation and more informally in daily life. We will also review the basics of meditation and begin each meditation with mindfulness practice. Mindfulness has caring components built in, as it encourages us to cultivate a nonjudgmental, curious attitude, and to allow things to be as they are, which facilitates kindness. It can also support heart-based practice by cultivating a more concentrated mind that can more exclusively focus on lovingkindness and compassion.
This series is designed for those curious and interested in refreshing their mindfulness practice and expanding it to plant seeds of care and compassion. In a supportive group environment, we will discuss the science of lovingkindness and compassion, but mostly we will explore how to slowly build and strengthen our capacity to be kinder to self and others. All are welcome.
Effie Stavrulaki is a meditation teacher with NSIMC as well as a management professor at Bentley University. Read more about Effie at her teacher page.
The fee for this program is $85 ($80 cash or check). To register and pay online, click below; for alternate payment methods, just email northshoreimc@gmail.com.