Small Group Meditation Practice and Book Study
I invite you to sign up for this small group practice and study program. If you have an existing daily mediation practice, great! If you are new to mediation or unsure if your practice is ready for this kind of small group practice and study group, rest assured that we will start slowly and you can and will develop a mediation practice as we go along. Come with an open mind, a beginner's mind, and see what happens.
Practice Groups form around the school year, with breaks corresponding to Spring Break and the Fall and Winter Holidays. You may join the cohort at any point at a prorated rate (email me for more details on this):
- January - February
- April -May
- June -July
- September - October
- Pop Up Alumni Sessions
We meet weekly online 7 times during an 8-week period. This allows for holidays and a mid- to late program integration break.
In each 8-week program, we will work with a theme (e.g. compassion, presence, self-leadership, connection, or gratitude) that corresponds to a specific form of meditation. Mindfulness exercises and Breath Work will also be included as appropriate, tailored to the specific theme.
You may sign up for this Small Group Meditation and Book Study Program as often as you like, as the themes and thus the experience will change every session.
This program is open to beginners through advanced practitioners. If you wish to work with me individually, 1:1, I will have a few openings throughout the year that I will announce within the group only.
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have!
Forming Now! Summer 2024
Study & Practice Group
Theme:
Mindful Growth Through the Fearless Application of Self Compassion: The Yin and Yang of Fierce and Tender Self Compassion
Book:
Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive
by Kristin Neff
From the Self-Compassion website, the ideas of "tender self-compassion" and "fierce self-compassion are explored:
The quintessential question of self-compassion is “What do I need right now?” and more specifically “What do I need to help alleviate my suffering?” The answer to this question changes depending on the circumstances. Sometimes what we need is to accept ourselves in all our human imperfection, to love ourselves as we are in the moment. But that doesn’t mean we necessarily want to stay as we are in the moment. If a herd of cattle is stampeding toward you, it’s not the time for self-acceptance, it’s time for action. Most people think of self-compassion as soft and gentle, but self-compassion can be fierce as well as tender.
Tender self-compassion involves “being with” ourselves in an accepting way: comforting ourselves, reassuring ourselves that we aren’t alone, and being present with our pain. Fierce self-compassion involves “acting in the world” to alleviate suffering. It tends to involve protecting, providing for, and motivating ourselves. Sometimes we need to stand tall and say no, draw boundaries, or fight injustice. Or we may need to say yes to ourselves, to do what’s needed to be happy rather than subordinating our needs to those of others. And if we’re stuck in a bad situation or habits that are harmful, it means doing something different. Not because we’re unacceptable as we are, but because we care.
If tender self-compassion is metaphorically like a parent soothing his crying child, fierce self-compassion is like Momma Bear who ferociously protects her cubs when threatened, or catches fish to feed them, or moves them to a new territory with better resources. Just as tenderness can be turned inward so that we nurture and care for ourselves, the fierce energy of Momma Bear can also be turned inward to stand up for ourselves. What’s essential is that like yin and yang, these two faces of self-compassion are balanced and integrated so that we can be whole. When both are present, it creates a caring force that can be used to transform ourselves and the world around us.
SYLLABUS
Meeting Dates: We will meet online on ten Wednesday evenings this Summer to discuss the book and practice self-compassion meditation in several different styles.
June 5, 12, 19
July 10, 17, 24
Time & Place: ZOOM calls will be 90 minutes each from 6:00-7:30 PM Central Time
Mindfulness, Meditation, and Breath Practices Offered:
- Mindful Breathing
- Self-Compassion Break
- Tender
- Fierce
- Yin and Yang of Compassion
Hi, I'm Kim
I am a long time practitioner of meditation and a certified Meditation Instructor teaching in a variety of styles as well as Mindfulness-based practices. I have studied and certified through the Open Heart Project with Susan Piver and am currently studying and certifying through Amplify with Ralph De La Rosa.
My meditation journey began in 1986 in the Zen tradition of concentration meditation. Since then, I have studied a variety of meditation practices and traditions: shamatha, mindfulness of breath; vipassana, clear seeing or “insight”; metta, lovingkindness; tonglen, transformation; Somatic Experiencing; and an innovative combination of those practices in the context of IFS “Parts” work. I’ve also studied and practiced Christian meditation and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
I have mentored hundreds of students as a teacher, coach, and meditation instructor. In my meditation instruction, I combine both a depth of practice with practical tools for growth. Bhat really qualifies me to teach meditation is that I have learned, firsthand, the real-life benefits that meditation can bring. I have struggled at times to push through the muddy margins of life toward growth and peace. And perhaps most importantly, I know the value of keeping a beginner's mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really be a beginner and take this course?
Yes! We will start meditation practice slowly and build up over the two month session.
How much time outside of class will the study take?
We will focus on one book over a two month session, and you will have one or two chapters to read and a selection of journal prompts for you to complete as you wish.
How much time outside of class will I be meditating?
That is up to you! I recommend that you use this class as an opportunity to build or deepen your meditation practice by setting aside 15 to 30 minutes per day to practice the meditation of the week.
Is the book included in the cost of this class?
No, you will need to borrow or purchase the book for each two month session. Some people prefer paper, some electronic, and some audiobooks, so it's best that you acquire the book on your own. The average cost of each book will be around $20.
Can I do this meditation and book study program with a fellow meditation practitioner?
Yes, of course, but each of you would need to purchase the coaching package for yourself.
May I purchase this coaching package more than once?
Absolutely! This program will focus on a different theme each session, so simply purchase the coaching again for any subsequent session.