Meditation Marathon – January 2021

A new year brings new opportunities. Taking a small pause in our routine and spending 20 mins with ourselves, will add peace and make a difference into our new beginning.

This is an opportunity to build the habit of meditation, also a safe space to practice no matter if you are a beginner or a regular practitioner. Basic instructions will be provided as well as some general suggestions.

You can join daily or choose the days that work best for you. We are starting on Friday, January 1st, 2021 at 7 pm (CST, Iowa, CDMX, MTY.) and practicing 20 min daily until Sunday, January 31, 2021. Instructions in Spanish will be provided if needed.

What is Mindfulness Meditation?
Resting mind, calm-abiding, mindfulness –all these are names for the same type of meditation. This meditation provides relief from the daily pressures and anxieties of our busy lives. We will basically sit down comfortably and follow simple instructions to keep the attention focused on one simple thing like the breath.

Why?
When we quiet our body, we start paying attention to the movement in our mind, then we stop being mind full to become mindful. If we are patient and kind with ourselves, with the simple practice of stillness, we could start realizing that we are not our thoughts, nor the circumstances or worries that keep us busy.
As a consequence of reconnecting our body and mind, we could also experience stress reduction, anxiety decrease, reduction of insomnia, increasing patience and tolerance, and overall, focusing on the present.

What to expect?
This is a free non-religious meeting open to the community. Participants are free to sit on a cushion, use a chair, lie down or leave early as desired. Special abilities like sitting cross-legged, or shutting down thoughts are NOT required. There are no expectations or requirements for those involved, no vows or commitments.

The organizer will measure time and provide brief directions before and during each session.

This is the weekly program starting at 7 pm:

7:00 – 7:05 – Brief introduction (5 min)
7:05 – 7:07- Finding a comfortable posture and setting a motivation for the practice (2min)
7:07 – 7:12–Observing the mind or focusing on the breath (5 min)
7:12 – 7:22 – Sitting silent meditation period (10 min)
7:22 – 7:27– Walking or breathing meditation (5 min)
7:27 – 7:30 – Dedication and closing (3 min)

Before and after the sessions, participants have an opportunity to talk about their personal practice and ask simple questions. Anyway, this is not intended as formal, professionally led support groups.

How can I join?
Just click on this link a few minutes before 7 pm, you don’t need to have any special app: https://meet.google.com/ixb-xbwo-axf

Who will be guiding?
This program will be facilitated by Gabriela Tobias from The Nangpa Yoga project. Gabriela is a 200hrs Certified Yoga Teacher, she is also a student of the Budadharma Institute and a Milarepa Buddhist Center Board member.

While working on spiritual and personal development, she finds joy in learning from different traditions that promote the practice of universal values. Gabriela thinks the best way to learn is by practicing and sharing experiences with others, that is why she loves getting involved with community projects.

Feel free to share this event and invite your friends.

For more information about this and other events offered contact Gabriela Tobias at nangpa.yoga@gmail.com or visit https://milarepaiowa.org/