I have recently wanted to put into words my motivation for starting this mindfulness and meditation support class.
My own journey in meditation has been typical of many- starting out with a desire to achieve more peace in my life, only to find that meditation not only did not achieve that, but left me with an additional sense of failure. I gave up many times. Eventually, I realized I needed to really commit to the practice, and found that bit by bit my practice became more consistent, and an important part of my life. With that, the mind was able to be calmer for longer.
It occurred to me that the frustration and lessons Iearned could be put to good use in supporting others who may be experiencing the same thing.
I was very lucky that the first class I facilitated was with a lovely group of women who were experienced meditators, but supportive and encouraging to me. I learned quite a lot from this initial foray into this venture.
Since that time in 2019, the class has progressively changed as I receive feedback and respond to the needs of those attending.
In 2020 I felt the class served another purpose. I do believe the world would be a better place if more people meditated. I believe that meditation is actually quite a radical act . It is going against the stream of modern life’s push to busyness, of “achieving”. In many ways the world feels less friendly, less accepting of difference. Meditation allows us to find that kindness and calm that makes it easier being with others that have a different view to ourselves .
Not long after I started I was invited to offer a lunch and learn about mindfulness in the workplace for Megson Fitzpatrick Financial Services in Victoria BC. I found myself enjoying this, speaking less about mediation and more about day to day mindfulness, with a focus on the workplace. As someone who at times has found the workplace stressful (mostly my own doing I might add), it give me great pleasure to help others negotiate this important part of people’s lives with some tools to find it less stressful.
In addition to continuing to provide basic instruction for meditation, I can see the classes focusing on specific parts of the practice, such as managing difficult emotions, managing uncertainty ( useful during these pandemic days I think), and possibly meditation as a healing tool. The classes now feature periods of unguided meditation to allow people to do their own thing, but there will always be a place for guided meditations, including visualisations.
I do not see myself as a teacher, more a guide, or a companion along life’s pathway. I have not attended meditation or mindfulness teacher training, mostly due to working full time. I hope to be seen as a friendly fellow meditator, passing on the lessons learned, so that perhaps the meditation journey for others will be a little less challenging than it was for me!
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