Mindfulness and Anxiety Class- A 5-Week Class

MINDFULNESS AND ANXIETY - 5-Week Class
Meets Wednesdays May 31, June 7, 14, 21, 28
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Ocean Gate Zen Center, 920 41st Ave. Santa Cruz (Pleasure Point)
Please enter the building from the parking lot side.

TEACHER: Carla Brennan, M.Ed., is the guiding teacher with Bloom of the Present Insight Meditation in Santa Cruz County. She has trained for 42 years in the Zen, Insight Meditation and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Carla taught Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for 18 years and is a psychologist.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Please only register if you can attend at least 4 of the 5 classes. Contact Betsy Blessing at: [email protected]. Include the class name in the subject line.

Life, by its nature, is uncertain, unpredictable, and constantly changing. For many of us, this fact can be a source of great anxiety and worry, and can undermine our well-being.

Buddhist theory and practice directly addresses the truth of life’s uncertainty. Through dedicated effort we can learn to be more at ease with unpredictability and we can discover inner resources for peace and balance. Training the heart and mind through meditation can release us from habits that increase our unhappiness and difficulties.

Anxiety is a physiological response usually triggered by repetitive thought patterns. Through mindfulness, we can learn how to calm the body and interrupt old ways of thinking.

The 5-week class will cover:
• Instruction in mindfulness meditation and support for maintaining a daily routine.
• Learning simple breathing exercises to relax the body.
• Investigation of the emotional and thought patterns that trigger anxiety.
• Learning the difference between “legitimate concerns” and unnecessary worry.

Buddhism instructs us to practice awareness of the present in order to live more fully. We will investigate the unskillful habits we have developed to deal with our anxiety, such as obsessive planning, over-controlling, distraction, and addictions. Between classes you will be expected to meditate daily and reflect on the assignments. You will also receive supplemental material including audio guided meditations and readings.

Each session will include:
* Mindfulness meditation
* Discussions and reflection exercises.
* Q & A

COST:
• By donation.
• Suggested sliding scale of $60 – $200. (Donation is tax-deductible.)
• However, more or less is gratefully accepted. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Non-monetary donations are also accepted.

Mindfulness is part of a larger group of teachings in Buddhism that can lead to spiritual maturity, increased compassion and inner freedom. These qualities contribute to more peace in our lives and in the world around us.

PARKING: 920 41st Ave. is at the corner of Bain Ave. and 41st. It is near the Family Cycling Center and across Bain from Betty's Burgers. There is a parking lot behind the 920 41st building and there is parking on Bain Ave. Please enter the building from the parking lot side.