Embodied Living Through Mindfulness and Centering Prayer
Imagine being present to your life, to yourself, and to those around you. Imagine being able to be with difficult emotions without being overwhelmed by them, finding the space to pause before reacting automatically, offering yourself more kindness and compassion, bringing a sense of curiosity and wonder to life, and being more aware of God’s presence. These are some of the benefits of contemplative practices such as mindfulness and centering prayer.
Mindfulness is paying attention to what is happening in the present moment, nonjudgmentally, and with compassion. The present moment is where we meet God. Mindfulness also helps us become more aware of the wisdom of our bodies. Paying attention to our experiences and this wisdom gives us valuable information we can use to live better. Centering prayer is resting in God’s presence in silence, consenting to God’s presence and action within. These practices allow us to live more connected with God and to more effectively do what God is calling each of us to do, individually and collectively. Come learn about and experience how contemplative practices can deepen your awareness of God’s presence and help you live with more authenticity and greater compassion.
Wear comfortable clothing. You may want to bring a blanket or shawl. If you have one, please bring a yoga mat or something soft to lay on, a cushion or pillow to sit on, and a journal or paper. Please note, however, that it is not necessary to lay down or sit on the floor to participate. Lunch is included. Guided by Dr. Heather Alexander.
Heather Alexander, MD has a passion for encouraging and empowering people to live well by becoming more present to the moments of their lives and living with more compassion. She sees this as her way of offering peace to our world that is so in need of healing. Initially learning mindfulness to reduce stress, she found that practicing mindfulness helped her to be more aware of God’s presence. Dr. Alexander has led workshops on practicing mindfulness for stress reduction and connecting with God, mindfulness for parents, and mindfulness for teens. Dr. Alexander received her undergraduate degree from Haverford College. She received her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania and completed her pediatric residency at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. She currently practices in Columbia, MD. She has trained with the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine. Dr. Alexander has also trained with the Mindful Schools program to teach mindfulness to children.