About MBSR
Mindfulness refers to a receptive attention to what is taking place in the present. First developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the Center for Mindfulness, University of Massachusetts Medical School, the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program has become one of the foremost secular trainings in the world to enhance mindfulness. Since 1979, this well-respected program has been completed by more that 17,000 people. Scientific research conducted over the past 25 years has supported its benefits for psychological well-being, physical health, wellness, and enhanced quality of personal relationships.
MBSR training focuses on the learning and refining of "wise attention" (mindfulness) that can enhance our ability to relax and be aware of our psychological states, physical states, and actions. Program participants learn to mobilize their inner resources to take better care of themselves and make positive life changes. The program aims to help participants develop resources and skills that can be applied to everyday situations as a means to cope more effectively with stress and to find greater health and balance, ease, and peace of mind over a lifetime.
The MBSR course has 8 weekly classes, each approximately 2 hours in length.
Instructor
Kirk Warren Brown, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Brown has practiced mindfulness meditation for over 15 years under the guidance of senior Asian and American teachers. He has been trained in and conducted research with the MBSR program for the past 10 years, including classes designed for community members, medical patients, and medical and college students. He has authored numerous scientific publications on mindfulness and the MBSR program. His research on mindfulness is funded by the National Institutes of Health and other grant agencies.
For the past six years, he has also co-facilitated the weekly Richmond Meditative Inquiry Group.
Schedule of Courses
The next 8-week, Monday evening course will begin in early 2012 [start date to be determined]. Each class will begin at 7 pm and end by 9 pm. All classes will be held at Ekoji Buddhist Temple in the Fan. Directions to Ekoji can be found here.
Course cost will be $250 ($175 for full-time students), which includes course materials. Enrollment is limited to 15 participants. Please e-mail Kirk Warren Brown at
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to receive early notification of this and future MBSR courses.
Suggested Advance Reading
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life. NY: Hyperion.