Mindfulness Meditation Class with Nicholas O'Donnell
8 Wednesdays, 7:00–9:00 pm
Dec. 7, 2022–Jan. 25, 2023
Cost: $15/session per week ($120 total)
or $100/8 sessions if paid upfront
Questions: Nick, nicksvictorygardens@gmail.com or call/text (734) 299-6472
Enlightened Soul Center & Shop
NEW LOCATION: 2711 Carpenter Road
Ann Arbor 48108
Free parking!
We have our own building with the main entrance and parking in the back On the east side of Carpenter, halfway between Packard Street and Washtenaw Ave.
About the Mindfulness Meditation Class
Mindfulness meditation was originally called vipassana. Vipassana was the supposed meditation practice that The Buddha did to become enlightened. Mindfulness meditation is basically getting in touch with how we experience and sense the world through seeing, hearing, and feeling. In the system of Unified Mindfulness, we utilize three core skills: concentration, sensory clarity, and equanimity. Applying these three core skills to our sensory categories of seeing, hearing, and feeling, our experience of what being Human is becomes enhanced or “enlightened”.
Mindfulness meditation has been proven to lower anxiety, increase happiness, and just bring more fulfillment to life. Science is just now catching up with what the meditation community has been claiming for thousands of years: meditation is healthy! Mindfulness meditation is also useful for metaphysical and intuitive work such as channeling or tarot reading, because when we can better understand how we're sensing and experiencing a situation, we can better communicate how the reading or the intuitive work is going or understood to others.
In this class, we will be exploring mindfulness meditation through the system of “Unified Mindfulness”. Unified Mindfulness is a brand of mindfulness meditation that has refined Vipassana and Zen meditation into a hybrid. The first 8 weeks have been designed to give someone with little experience a taste of what mindfulness meditation can offer. We will explore techniques such as “ see-hear-feel,” “feel good,” “feel rest,” “feel flow,” etc. These techniques are focused on giving a beginner to mindfulness meditation the tools to start to experience the benefits of mindfulness instantly. After the first 8 weeks, the mindfulness curriculum can continue depending on interest and necessity of the community.
Below is a syllabus of what the course has to offer.
Any and all questions, please email nicksvictorygardens@gmail.com
Syllabus - Mindfulness Meditation Class
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
In this course, you will learn what mindfulness meditation is and its benefits. You will also learn how to practice mindfulness meditation both while sitting and while doing everyday things like listening, exercising, walking, simple tasks, etc.
SCHEDULE:
Wk. 1 Introduction to Unified Mindfulness
See Hear Feel (SHF) technique, rewards and benefits of mindfulness
Practice Homework
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10 min. formal practice: See Hear Feel technique
Wk. 2 How to Relax and Recharge with Mindfulness
Feel Rest technique, managing stress
Practice Homework
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10 min. formal practice: Feel Rest technique (FR)
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Optional additional formal practice: See Hear Feel technique
Wk. 3 Mindfulness in Daily Life
See Hear Feel and Feel Rest techniques, practice in daily life
Practice Homework
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10 min. formal practice: See Hear Feel technique (SHF)
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10-20 min. daily practice in action using either SHF or FR techniques:
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Microhits
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Background practice
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Formal practice
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Wk. 4 Getting in the Zone & Going with the Flow
Feel Flow technique, peak performance, types of techniques
Practice Homework
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10 min. formal practice: Feel Flow technique (FF)
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10-20 min. daily practice in action: SHF, FR, or FF
Wk. 5 It’s Fun to Be Spontaneous
Auto Walk technique, developing spontaneity
Practice Homework
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10 min. formal practice: SHF, FR, or FF
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10 min. walking: Auto Walk technique (AW)
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Additional 10 min. daily practice in action: SHF, FR, FF, or AW
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To prepare for next week (practice with music):
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Bring music listening device and earbuds
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Create one 10-minute playlist of songs that makes you happy
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Wk. 6 Feeling Good and the Magic of Music
Feel Good technique, improving relationships & well-being, enjoying music
Practice Homework
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10 min. formal practice: Feel Good technique (FG)
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10 min. daily practice in action: SHF, FR, FF, AW, or FG
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Extra Credit: 10 min. daily formal practice with music
Wk. 7 Applying Mindfulness to Inner Windows and Walls (Opportunities & Obstacles)
Practice strategies to work with pleasant and unpleasant experience and to accelerate growth through practice
Practice Homework
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10 min. formal practice: See Hear Feel technique
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10 min. daily applying mindfulness to a challenge or interest of your choice
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Examples:
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Unpleasant: stress in your day - Anchor Away
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Pleasant: silent room - Turn Toward
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10 min. daily practice in action: SHF, FR, FF, AW, or FG
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To prepare for Week 8 journaling
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Bring journaling notebook
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Wk. 8 Wrap Up: Your Unified Mindfulness Road Map
The Rhythm of Practice: Life, Retreats, Getting Support, Giving Support
About Nicholas O'Donnell
Nick uses a unique set of skills melding mindfulness meditation, esoteric studies, and the intuitive arts into a comprehensive spiritual system that anyone can understand and learn. He believes that mindfulness meditation is foundational work for spiritual studies. Through immersing himself in mindfulness meditation and the Tarot, Nick has also developed a one of a kind Tarot Meditation program exploring the deepest meanings of the tarot on a personal level.
Contact: nicksvictorygardens@gmail.com or call/text (734) 299-6472