Mindfulness is much more than the important development of attention and present moment awareness through meditation. Mindfulness is a way of life in which we integrate our deepest, dearest held values into our everyday thoughts, words, and actions. This kind of harmony is what we mean by “integrity”. This is the kind of integrity that leads to lasting happiness and a sense of living a meaningful life. When we develop ourselves in this way, we change the world.
with Instructors Laura Bartels and Mark Molony, Co-founders of the Mindful Life Program™
Developing ourselves and cultivating long-term traits of resilience and well-being may be the most meaningful response to our current times
A Deeply Transformative Process
Much more than taking a class or attending a retreat, the Mindful Learning Year Programs offer the personalized guidance and mentoring of experienced instructors and the opportunity to learn along with dedicated peers throughout the program. Our MLY learning community is intentionally limited in size. In this way, we provide an opportunity for the group and instructors to develop a close bond and create a supportive and safe environment for learning and growth.
The MLP Learning Year curriculum focuses on key areas of learning and practice, progressing from those directly supporting personal practice and expanding to study the historical and current perspectives of mindfulness and examine discerningly of the latest research and documented benefits. Through monthly assignments, participants are introduced to readings and teachings by a wide range of experts along with experiential learning assignments. The methodology and practice used in the training are based on a robust and coherent body of knowledge drawn from contemplative traditions, modern psychology, and neuroscience. Like any practice, developing competence requires a sound conceptual and practical understanding, as well as personal experience of the underlying theoretical body of knowledge.
MLP Perspective
Drawing from years of training, personal practice, and application in daily life, we provide participants with learning and skills that are practical, accessible, and universal. This approach brings mindfulness training, whether in an introductory course or a year-long training, to be meaningful, beneficial, and available to a wide audience.
Practical – An approach to engaging in a mindful life that is effective and can be put into practice right away. We take your mindfulness practice off the cushion and into your everyday life and daily mental thought processes.
Accessible – Although our roots lie in both ancient traditions and contemporary neuropsychology, we use the language of the everyday practitioner and examples from your daily life to illustrate the principles and practices of mindful living.
Universal – An inclusive program that can benefit anyone regardless of their culture, religion, spiritual path, or philosophy. It is our firm conviction that everyone, regardless of race, religion, gender, or orientation, deserves to live a meaningful and happy life. Referencing the rich context of the Three Higher Trainings (ethics, concentration, and wisdom) of Buddhism in which mindfulness was originally taught, the Mindful Life Program serves to maintain the substance of the entire teaching as a program that is accessible to all using a universal secular approach.
One Learning Community of Peers
In the Mindful Learning Year programs, we have one learning community with all participants beginning the journey together with the Immersion Semester. For those who continue for the year in either Teacher Certification or Personal Development, we find that the richness of connection and sharing imbues each pathway with important learning. The learning community is closely connected through the learning experience and sharing as peers. The year begins with all participants engaging in the same curriculum and activities throughout the first semester. In the second semester of those in the year-long training, the curriculums diverge while the participants continue peer meetings and group meetings of support. The second semester begins and concludes with retreats which serve to deepen the connections of the peer cohort.
Diversity
Skills in living mindfully, in our perspective, should be available to all. The Mindful Learning Year Programs are designed to attract a diverse range of participants through its online nature and universal approach. We encourage a diverse range of applicants from all walks of life who are ready to deepen their mindfulness practice, dedicate themselves to living mindfully, and are committed to the engaged learning that is required in the program.
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What participants have said…
