Mindfulness on the Rocks: Meditation Solutions for Maximum Life Impact
1300 Paris Street Greater Sudbury, ON, Canada

Waking up to the practice of choiceless awareness Cold and tucked in bed, my mindfulness practice of choiceless awareness emerged. I lay attuned to my in breath and my out breath. I welcomed my body sensations. The gentle aches and pains, vibrations, reminders of this container, this only body that I will ever have. I became reacquainted with my mind states, the weather of my mind, the constant mind chatter. I noticed my feelings, not leaning in to nor pushing away. I notice...d smells, the coffee beckoning me to get up. Sounds of household movement, snow ploughs, the winds howling, the vinyl siding cracking with the frigid outdoor temperatures. I woke up happy to be alive in this moment. Gary Certified to teach Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness Center, Brown University School of Public Health / Qualified to teach MBSR - Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, & Society, UMASS.

Thank you Heather!

Thought this cartoon from today’s Globe and Mail highlighted one of the obstacles of meditation - finding space in busy households to carve out time and space to be still and to breathe. Doing so, no matter how limited or less than ideal will help to bring you to the practice in these challenging times. Gary

On the third Thursday of the month we are offering MIndfulness -Based Stress Reduction Grads an opportunity to practice together via Zoom videoconferencing. The next monthly MBSR Graduate Mindfulness session is scheduled for this Thursday January 21,2021 from 7:00pm - 8:00pm EST. To register please visit www.mindfulnessontherocks.ca

Register TODAY for the upcoming Spring 2021 MBSR program - Live Online via Zoom Program starts TUESDAY APRIL 13, 2021 For program details and to register visit ... mindfulnessontherocks.ca What previous participants say about the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program I feel like it has provided an excellent starting point for increased mindfulness in every day living. The content, organization and delivery were grounded in knowledge, skill, care and years of practice wisdom. I have come to a point in my life where my previous coping strategies are not working and this mindful practice has open my eyes to a better way of being. I feel this program has been a lifeline for changing my reactions to stressful situations. This wonderful tool has helped me achieve some sense of calmness and the realization that I deserve this space for myself. I don’t have to fix or control or solve every problem. I have to listen better and just be there in the moment!!! My expectations of the course were more than met. Gary and Sheila have a solid knowledge of theory and practise. They are patient and practical teachers. Gary and Sheila have a strong ability to teach a group of students who come with a range of backgrounds, knowledge and goals; and they are able to cultivate a sense of belonging within the group.

Special limited time offer! Register today for the upcoming 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program Live Online via Zoom (commencing Tuesday, January 5) and receive a complimentary copy of Gary’s book The Response: Practising Mindfulness In Your Daily Life. For program details please visit www.mindfulnessontherocks.ca

Our wonderful friends at PHSD!

Our next 8 Week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program starts January 5, 2021 via Zoom Videoconferencing. Visit www.mindfulnessontherocks.ca for details and to register! This is an amazing evidence based curriculum taught be qualified and certified teachers. Don’t miss out.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for migraines! Next course starts January 5!

An excellent CBC interview this morning with Zen teacher Roshi Joan Halifax on mindfulness and the difficult work of health care professionals. Sheila and I were very fortunate to spend time with Joan Halifax while previously receiving training in Costa Rica. Enjoy. Gary

If your a healthcare worker, please consider signing up for our upcoming Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program commencing January 5. Visit www.mindfulnessontherocks.ca for course details. If you are a resident of northeast Ontario you may qualify for a $200.00 grant! Gary

The First Winter Storm The weather forecasters predicted it. Radar images depicted it in bold stand out colours. Our cold achy bodies anecdotally suggested it. The anticipated arrival of our first winter snow storm. But as the skies opened up to vivid blue this evening it became abundantly clear that we would be spared from this storm system. Often our thoughts get away on us and we ruminate. Consequently our anxiety elevates and we feel vulnerable and out of control. Our emotions stormy. But often like the snowstorm predicted those fears do not materialize and we have missed out on what is real... this moment. This moment is all we really have. Storms will undoubtedly arrive and depart in this journey that we call life. Mindfulness helps us to not get caught up in storylines that may not serve us. Namaste, my friends. Gary

Delighted to have received an invitation to speak at the Spring Clinical Meeting this spring. The session was to have occurred in Orlando at Disneyworld but will be virtual. My presentation title reflects the Disney theme of Typhoon Lagoon. Title is Lagooned by the COVID Typhoon? Practical Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Building Resilience and Healing. Gary

Giving Tuesday In acknowledgement of their commitment to keeping our community safe, Gary Petingola from Mindfulness On The Rocks donated 5 copies of his book The Response-Practising Mindfulness In Your Daily Life to the healthcare workers at Health Sciences North’s COVID assessment centre. Health Sciences North / Horizon Santé-Nord

Winter 2021 Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program ONLINE via ZOOM videoconferencing ORIENTATION & REGISTRATION Tuesday January 5 600 PM - 900 PM EST CLASSES Tuesday Evenings ...Continue reading

Love this! A good example of being fully aware in your environment and seeing things that you otherwise might miss. Mindfulness helps us to see beyond our perceptions and rigid ways of thinking. Enjoy. Gary