Voice & Presence: For 8-Week Mindfulness Graduates

Voice & Presence:
For 8-Week Mindfulness Graduates
Four Wednesdays: October 12, 19, 26, November 2: 6:45 - 8:45PM US Eastern Time
Online via Zoom
with Rebecca Eldridge

Registration Deadline: Friday, September 30, 2022

Two things are rare when we humans communicate:

1. being offered time and space to express ourselves, and

2. listening, and being listened to, without agenda

During the Voice & Presence Graduate Workshop, we will offer ourselves and each other these 2 rare gifts, best we can.

This program is limited to 25 participants.

What this gathering is

We will co-create a space to—

reflect on and speak about what holds meaning for us, what we find puzzling, what brings us joy, and more
be listened to, without receiving advice or being analyzed
extend listening presence to everyone who speaks

When we allow voice to arise in the moment, we often don’t think we’ve spoken eloquently. Yet this in-the-moment communication, fueled by reflection, is often the most alive, fresh speech we can experience, for both speaker and listener. It shakes us out of stale, habituated ways of communicating. We get to see and hear one another. We get to be seen and heard by one another. Communicating in this way can be both frightening and rewarding.

What this gathering is not

This gathering is not a space to push agendas or advise, even subtly.

The weekly process

Engaging a consistent process at each session will provide a structured freedom to move us toward understanding, acceptance, action, further wondering, connection, and other things we can’t possibly name until they arise in our midst.

Here’s the process, with approximate times—

Landing silent sit: 5 min.

Bow in

Brief check-in from each person: 10 min.

Mindfulness practice to invite all we brought with us (emotions, etc): 10 min.

Silent reflection on a prompt or cue, alone and together: 10 min.

Speaking. Listening. Silence: 45 min. (plus 5-min. pause midway)

NOTE: Not every participant will speak at every session during this time. We all will listen.

Pause: 10 min.

Brief check-out from each person: 15 min.

Closing mindfulness practice to acknowledge all that has shown up: 10 min.

Bow out

Prerequisites

This workshop is for graduates of an 8-week mindfulness-based program conducted live, in person or online.

Required technology and preparation

As a participant, you agree to—

Attend and participate in every session.

Speak briefly in the moment during at least one session, as the rest of us listen.

Remain silent when listening.

Be open to feeling emotions while speaking and listening.

Not know everything.

Maintain a mindfulness practice that fits your life between sessions.

Use a computer that allows all participants to be seen on one screen. No phones, please.

What is the fee for this workshop?

The fee for this workshop is US$90.

If you are unable to pay the program cost, please be in touch. If you are dedicated to participating in all 4 sessions, and are hindered due to lack of finances, suggest a price that you can offer.

How do I register for this workshop?

Registration for this workshop is now closed.

If you have questions, please email info@eastcoastmindfulness.com.

Rebecca Eldridge

Rebecca Eldridge is an MBSR teacher and teacher trainer who was hired in 2016 by the Center for Mindfulness at UMass Medical School to train them to deliver their first online MBSR course in a way that is effective, interactive, and fun.

She has taught mindfulness to cancer survivors, people in chronic pain, medical & mental health professionals, monastics, and others, and was featured giving meditation instruction in two courses taught by Pema Chödrön: Making Friends with Yourself and How to Live with Compassion and Courage. She holds degrees in Education, Literature, and Creative Writing. Rebecca co-founded East Coast Mindfulness in 2019.

Find out more about Rebecca here.

Photo credit: Tony Maciag

REFUND POLICY:
You can receive a full refund by emailing rebecca@eastcoastmindfulness.com by Monday, Oct. 10. No refunds will be issued beyond Oct. 10.

Questions? Please email us at info@eastcoastmindfulness.com

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Voice & Presence:For 8-Week Mindfulness Graduates Four Wednesdays: October 12, 19, 26, November 2: 6:45 - 8:45PM US Eastern TimeOnline via Zoomwith Rebecca Eldridge