Traditionally, the Buddha encouraged meditators to cultivate mindfulness through the observation of four things: body, feeling tones, mind, and phenomena. Nurturing, growing, and developing mindfulness through these four can naturally settle the mind and lead to states of inner peace, tranquility, and calm. Additionally, practicing with these four promotes insight into what makes a mind unsettled in the first place, thereby preventing future unsettling, encouraging ongoing peace in the future. These qualities are especially useful today, living in an increasingly divided and turbulent world.
What exactly is meant by body, feeling tones, mind, and phenomena?
How can we use these to practice?
How can they simplify our meditation practice?
When will I experience calm and insight?
In this session, we will explore these questions, and others, to uncover the elegant power of the Four Ways to Nurture Mindfulness. There will be an instructional talk along with periods of meditation, discussion, and Q&A.
This program is suitable for first-time meditators and experienced practitioners alike.
Max Johnson has been practicing Dhamma since 2014. He is particularly interested in Early Buddhism, and the similarities and differences it has with modern Buddhism. Max has studied under various Thai, Lao, Burmese, and Sri Lankan monks, and is also qualified by Brown University to teach Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Learn more about Max at the teacher page of Wenham Insight Meditation Center.
Fee: Saturday programs now have a three-tiered pricing structure to accommodate people of various means:
Supported: $35
Base: $45
Benefactor: $55
Please pay at the highest level that is comfortable for you – paying at a higher level helps us support those who need to pay at a lower level. NSIMC members should feel free to pay at the lowest level; become a member here. If you would rather pay at the door, send an email to northshoreimc@gmail.com to register.