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Meditation for Beginners

Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally. This kind of attention nurtures greater awareness, clarity, and acceptance of present-moment reality. It wakes us up to the fact that our lives unfold only in moments. If we are not fully present for many of those moments, we may not only miss what is most valuable in our lives but also fail to realize the richness and depth of our possibilities for growth and transformation.                                                                                                          — Jon Kabat-Zinn

What are the benefits of this course?

Meditation and mindfulness practices have tremendous benefits, including reduced stress and pain, improved health outcomes, heightened ability to focus, and increased happiness. At a deeper level, a mindfulness practice can help you see and experience the world both more honestly and more compassionately.

Weekly course topics

Week 1 – Introduction to Mindfulness

Week 2 – Be Right Where You Are

Week 3 – Our Storytelling Minds

Week 4 – Cultivating Kindness

Week 5 – Willingness to Be with Things as They Are

Logistics 

  • There is not currently a next scheduled start date for this course. Please reach out to me at jessicadixonmindfulness@gmail.com to be placed on a list to be notified of upcoming dates.
  • The course is live online, not pre-recorded. The course participant size is kept small so group members have the opportunity to ask questions and share their experiences.
  • We will connect through the Zoom platform. After you register for the class, I will send you a calendar invite with a link to a Zoom video conferencing event. The first time you connect, you will be prompted to download the Zoom application. I will log in ten minutes early before the first class to assist with anyone having difficulty, and am available to do a “practice call” with any participant who is concerned about their ability to get logged in.
  • Participants should attempt to attend all sessions, as the material builds on itself and there is benefit to having a consistent cohort.  Please send me an email if there is a class that you need to miss.

Registration and Payment

The course fee is $150 and is due by the first day of class.

To register, please add the course to your cart through the registration and payment page.

I am able to offer a couple of spaces on a sliding scale fee to participants each course. Please reach out with more details if your financial circumstances are a significant barrier to your participation.

FAQs

Is this course appropriate for me if I have no meditation experience?

Yes! The course is designed with the beginner in mind.  You will have opportunities to ask questions and share experiences with others new to meditation.

What if I already have a meditation practice?  

As long as you are willing to bring a “beginner’s mind,” all are welcome!

Will we have “homework”?

In addition to attending the video-conference sessions, participants will be asked to practice mindfulness techniques informally throughout the day and also to formally meditate 10-15 minutes per day most days of the week. Many of the true gifts of a meditation practice come from a regular habit of formal meditation.

Is this a religious course?

While meditation and mindfulness are core components of a number of religions, the practices taught in this course will be secular in nature. While many of the teachings have a root in Buddhist philosophy, many people find that meditative practices help to deepen their own faith or sense of connectedness to nature and our common humanity.

Is this a therapy group?

While we will have opportunities in class to share with fellow group members about our experiences, this is not a therapy group.  Some people find that when they start a meditation practice they uncover some unmet needs or emotions, which can be helpful to have therapeutic support to process and grow from.  I am happy to provide referrals for counseling or therapy should any participant identify a need.

I have heard of different meditation styles like Transcendental Meditation or Zen meditation. What type of meditation is this?

I have been trained in the Vipassana or “Insight” tradition of meditation, studying under Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield.

I’m not sure if meditation is for me. What if I start the class and don’t like it?

If after the first or second class you are not interested in continuing, I can cancel your registration and fully refund your course fee.