Exploring the Art of Mindful Living
A practical exploration of the Buddhist teachings of Insight Meditation
Oct 22nd – Nov 26th, 7–9pm
Life is messy. Many of us find ourselves moving on auto-pilot—caught in reactivity, and disconnected from the joy, beauty, and aliveness available in each moment. The world around us constantly pushes us to speed up, to reach outward for short-term fixes and fleeting pleasures.
This 6-week course offers an invitation to pause. To remember the simple yet transformative practice of mindful living—not just on the meditation cushion, but woven into the ordinary moments of our daily lives.
Together, in a supportive community, we will:
- Practice a range of mindfulness methods, including sitting, walking, and gentle movement.
- Explore the patterns of mind and heart that keep us stuck, and how to meet them with curiosity and kindness.
- Lean into the ancient wisdom of Buddhist teachings while grounding ourselves with practical tools for modern life.
- Engage in reflective enquiry and relational practices that help cultivate compassion, resilience, and presence in challenging times.
Facilitated by: Dr. Paula Martin
When: Wednesdays, Oct 22nd – Nov 26th, 7–9pm
Where: Mandala Room, Natural Therapy Centre, Teeling St, Sligo
Investment: €160
This course is open to both new and experienced practitioners. All that’s needed is curiosity and a willingness to explore.
Bookings via sum up https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/
Please include your name and email address
Is Mindfulness Meditation for you ?
Are you feeling stressed out or overwhelmed ?
Are you having difficulty coping ?
Are you experiencing chronic pain or ill health ?
If so, Mindfulness is a simple and practical tool that supports developing a greater sense of ease, calm and wellbeing.
Mindfulness is an awareness practice that helps us to live more fully in the present moment. One definition of mindfulness is that of paying attention to what’s happening in the here and now without judgment.
Much of the time we spend our lives running on automatic pilot, not actually aware of what’s happening in our body and mind, and in the world around us. We can easily become lost in our thoughts, worrying about the future and thinking about the past. With this, we can miss much of our lives.
In practicing mindfulness we invite our attention to come right back to this present moment, which is the only moment life is available to us. We learn to become more aware of our thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations, developing skills to manage them rather than being overwhelmed. We use our breath and body to stabilise our attention in the here and now. Practising mindfulness can help boost attention and concentration, and improve relationships.
Evidence shows that practicing mindfulness regularly benefits both body and mind, promoting physical and mental wellbeing.
Rooted in ancient Buddhist texts, mindfulness is now a secular practice which can be applied to all aspects of modern day life and applies to all ages.
Please email info@beomindfulhealth.ie to enquire further about our Individual Mindfulness Sessions.
Only that day dawns to which we are awake.Thoreau
Neuroplasticity
The HOW ?
Science has now proven that the brain is highly plastic. This means that we have the ability to change the structure of the brain. Practising meditation regularly can impact on your brain body health.
Increases in grey matter have been shown in the following areas of the brain after an 8 week MBSR course:
The Prefrontal Cortex – supports our attention & concentration
The Insula – supports awareness of our emotional world & ability to be empathetic
The Hippocampus – supports emotional regulation, learning and memory
Meditation –
Increases activation in the left frontal area of the brain – this helps lift our mood.
Decreases stress related cortisol.
Strengthens the immune system.
Meditation-
Increases the body’s levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in positive emotion, digestion and sleep.
Increases the bodies levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that supports energy, sleep and attention.
Download Article by Sara W Lazar:
Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness
