Meditation and Mindfulness

Mindfulness Awareness Meditation

Enjoy a drop-in Mindfulness Awareness Meditation that is co-sponsored by St. Andrew's and the Vancouver Shambhala Centre. The meditation is led by Greg Sutton and  Paul Belserene. 

Benefits of Mindfulness and Meditation:
  • Physical benefits, including improving heart health, stress responses, and immunity
  • Emotional benefits, including emotional regulation, reductions to anxiety and depression, and increased resilience
  • Benefits with the recovery process
  • And more!

Details:
  • Sessions are drop-in and by donation
  • Everyone is welcome to attend
  • No experience necessary

Dates and Times: Mondays, from 7 pm - 8 pm
Location: St. Andrew's Church, 1044 St. George's Ave., North Vancouver
Phone: 604-985-0408 
Email: [email protected]

Self-Compassion Guided Meditations

Free access to guided meditations and self-compassion exercises from Dr. Kristin Neff. Self-compassion involves acting the same way towards yourself as you would another. The three core pillars are self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness.

Meditations and Guided Exercises Include:
  • Self-Compassion Break
  • Compassionate Friend
  • Affectionate Breathing
  • Loving Kindness Meditation
  • Soften, soothe, allow: Working with emotions in the body

Dr. Neff's website also provides additional resources, including a booklist and resources designed for children.

Introductory Sessions – Meditation, Energy Awareness, and Spiritual Practice

Deadline for registration: Mon. Apr 1, 2024.
Registration deadline has past, please check back later. 

This introductory session provides a brief introduction to the tools for a spiritual practice, essential alignment, and healing. These techniques include centering, grounding, and spiritual language. There is also a meditative process with an introduction to assessing and healing your energy space; auras, chakras, and channels.

Session Details:
  • Introduction to foundational tools
  • Includes some teaching and some closed eye practice
  • Opportunity to experience the practice first hand
  • No prior experience necessary
  • Registration is required

Location: Virtual via Zoom
Email: [email protected]
Registration: APRIL - MAY 2024
​Cost: Free introductory course, cost associated with additional classes

Celebrate Possibilities! - Blog

Celebrate Possibilities! is a blog written by Carol Bailey Floyd, whose mission is to spread the message that fun and creativity are enriching, healing, energizing, and contribute enormously to a life of gratitude and celebrating possibilities!

The blog includes creative suggestions, mindfulness challenges, energizing activities, and other fun things to do.

Free Mindfulness Guided Meditations

Brandi Matheson guides you through mindfulness-based meditations to improve your mental and physical well-being. Practicing just a few minutes a day can positively alter neurological pathways, in addition to other health benefits.

Types of Meditations available:
  • Stress reduction meditations
  • Grounding meditations
  • Compassion-based meditations
Details:
  • Meditations available for all levels
  • Short and mid-length practices
  • Free!

InsightTimer App

Insight Timer is a popular meditation app that offers free guided sessions for a variety of mental and physical areas of interest.

Details:
  • Topics include stress and anxiety, sleep, confidence and happiness, grief and loss, and more!
  • A variety of short, mid-length, and longer meditations
  • Thousands of free meditations
  • Teachers from different demographics, backgrounds, and styles
  • Courses, workshops, and other events

You can download the free app on your phone, or access the guided meditations at the website via the button below.

The Do-Nothing Project - Live Online Meditation

Jeff Warren hosts a free live meditation session on YouTube, with participants joining in from around the world. 

​At these live streams, Jeff or a guest host with guide a minimalist 25-minute meditation that individuals can feel free to ignore. During that time, you can meditate, doodle, or stare vacantly into space muttering 'the humanity.'

Details:

In-Person / Live Online Guided Meditation
In-Person Open House Sessions:
  • The Open House welcomes newcomers into the community and offers meditation instruction for first-time meditators. Newcomers are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early to introduce yourself.
  • Experienced meditators are also welcome to attend.
  • The evening starts at 7 pm with sitting meditation in the Main Meditation Hall.
  • After instruction, group joins for a short break, casual conversation, and a discussion. 
    ​
Fee and Registration:
  • No fee for Open House, though donations are appreciated.
  • No equipment necessary and everything needed is provided.

Dates and Times: Wednesdays | 7 pm - 9 pm
Location: Vancouver Shambhala Centre, #208 256 West 7th Ave, Vancouver 

Chair Yoga on Youtube and Guided Meditation

Meditation is an easy and accessible activity to improve physical and mental well-being. Follow along at home with these YouTube Videos

Calm Together: Meditation and Mindfulness 

Calm Together:
  • During challenging times, it's important to look after each other as well as ourselves
  • Discover resources to help you Calm Together
Free Resources:
  • A collection of favourite meditations, movement exercises, journals, and music
  • All resources are free to use and share
Types of Meditations Include:
  • Soothing and calm meditations
  • Sleep meditations and sleep stories
  • Mindfulness practices
  • Meditations for children

Walking Meditation

  • Mindfulness as a tool for stress reduction
    • Evidence suggests that mindfulness increases with practice
    • Can reduce stress and increase positive emotions
  • Walking meditation: a simple practice
    • Try 10 minutes daily for at least a week
  • Guidelines available
    • Brief instructions via button
    • Detailed instructions in a pdf.
practice_walking_meditation.pdf
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File Type: pdf
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