Jean Vitrano
Mindfulness Facilitator & Teacher
Workshops & Classes
5 Tuesdays | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
November 12, 19, December 3, 10, 17, 2024
Why meditate? I can speak from my experience and from witnessing so many others over the years that through meditation practice, we become better equipped to handle life’s stresses because we gain more tools in staying in the present, not reacting habitually, realizing when we are losing presence, and choosing to return. We become more curious and less judgmental about ourselves and about others because we have greater awareness of what goes on in ourselves and in the world around us. Pausing and being still allows us to see more clearly, and compassion for ourselves and for others comes more readily.
For five weeks, I will give the basic instructions and lead you in a guided practice. We’ll have time for observations and questions, and then we will practice again. We will cover guided, silent, loving-kindness, and walking meditations. We will talk through a practice to use when a thought/feeling keeps pulling us out of the present moment and we will cover other daily mindfulness tools we can use. At the conclusion of these five weeks, we can find more opportunities for you to sit with a group on a regular basis. Being in community strengthens our commitment and practice.
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Pre-registration required. Limited to 15 participants
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Each week you will receive an email recap of what we covered
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No make-ups or refunds for missed sessions
A Mindful Life Studio
697 Valley Street, Suite B4, Maplewood, NJ 07040
$175
Saturday, December 21, 2024
10:30 am - 12:30 pm at A Mindful Life Studio
697 Valley, Street, Suite B4, Maplewood, NJ
Or
Monday, December 30, 2024
6:30 - 8:30 pm on Zoom
$40.00
Only if we take in where we have been,
can we be full.
Only if we let go of what is past,
can we start anew.
Every year I look forward to facilitating this workshop. With mindful presence we will reflect on the closing year and we will lean in to listen to what wants our attention as we continue in the New Year. In the process, we will refresh ourselves on what really matters to us. In my experience, whether the year had more joys and successes, or more challenge and push for growth, the review can be surprisingly fruitful. It gives us an opportunity to digest what went on, to see how much we experienced, how we have grown, what we created and made possible, and just how resilient and adaptable we are. We get to see how full the experience of living is. We can digest it all so that we can begin again. By intentionally and mindfully looking back, we become more aware of what we are grateful for, what we want to let go, and what we want to move towards. If we don't pause to see what we want to nurture, it can't grow! Let's give ourselves that.
I will start us off with a guided meditation, followed by time to write out in detail our experiences of the previous year and what we would like to move towards in the New Year. With the mind of kindness and compassion, let's be together as we start anew. Have something to write with. You may want your calendar on hand to refresh your memory. And, if you have it from last year, bring the intentions you had written for 2024, but don't re-read them yet!
This workshop will give you the dedicated space, time, and support to honor your life. I hope to see you there.
In-person session limited to 18.
GUIDED MEDITATION & BELL RINGING
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
4:00 - 5:15 pm
St. George's Church, 550 Ridgewood Rd., Maplewood, NJ
Join me and the mindfulness community for a guided meditation that reflects on the past year with gratitude and presence. With an open heart, we will set our intentions for the New Year. This will be followed by the Buddhist tradition of ringing the bell 108 times. Let's come to peace with the year we just completed and start anew.
Please note that it takes place at St. George's Church, 550 Ridgewood Rd, Maplewood in Parish Hall through the red doors off of the parking lot at the back of the church. Turn onto Woodland Rd to park in the parking lot or you can park on the street.
There will be chairs and some meditation cushions and blankets, or if you have your own cushion/blanket, please bring it with you. The space can be chilly, you may want to wear layers. If you need water, please bring it along.
Please avoid wearing perfumes/colognes.
Please arrive 10 minutes early so that we can let everyone in and we can start close to on time.
If you have difficulty hearing in large settings, please arrive early and get a seat closer to me. I will do my best to amplify my voice.
If you have a meditation bell that you would like to sound during the bell ringing, please bring it along!
Donations will be accepted in cash or by check at the church or by Venmo (@jeanvitrano) or Zelle (jean@jeanvitrano.com). Suggested donation $20. Thank you, in advance.
Space is limited to 45.