with John McHarris and Diana Fish

Do you live in your thoughts about the past or worries about the future? Do your emotions often cause stress and confusion? Do you get carried away by dramas.

Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation is a four-week course designed to support the practice of mindfulness, helping us develop the skills and attention to be fully present to our lives in the present moment, and to touch each moment deeply. It is intended for those new to mindfulness and meditation, as well as for those who want to review the basics and establish a more consistent daily mindfulness and meditation practice. The course includes basic instruction as well as an exploration of practical ways to bring mindfulness into daily activities.

Learning Objectives:

• Systematically explore mindfulness of breathing, the body and physical sensations through sitting and walking meditation and the body scan practice.
• Establish and maintain a daily meditation practice.
• Practice mindful meditation to explore the emotions, thoughts, and overall awareness.
• Apply mindfulness to difficult emotions and thoughts to avoid getting caught up in dramas.
• Cultivate daily meditation and mindfulness practices so that mindfulness becomes an integral part of your daily life.

This four-week course will begin on Wednesday, October 30 and November 6, 13 & 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Classes will be held in-person. The cost is $75 for all four sessions. If you have questions, please contact us at info@floridamindfulness.org.

Class Instructors:

John McHarris is a Dharma Instructor with the Florida Community of Mindfulness. He has been a student of FCM's teacher Fred Eppsteiner since 2011. John completed FCM's three year Dharma Transmission Group program, and is an ordained member of the Order of Interbeing. He has Co-led various FCM offerings such as the Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation class, FCM Intensives, and Days of Mindfulness. John is the current Chair of FCM's Board of Directors. Although based in Naples, he's also a part-time Tampa resident; in conjunction with FCM's Residency program.

Reverend Diana Fish, BCC, is an interfaith palliative care chaplain at BayCare’s Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, FL. Diana joined FCM upon moving to Florida and was ordained into the Order of Interbeing in 2019. In 2018 she was ordained as a Buddhist Chaplain by Roshi Joan Halifax, Abbott of Upaya Zen Center and author of Being with Dying. After completing Clinical Pastoral Education at Tampa General Hospital in 2019 she was hired as a Staff Chaplain. She received board certification by the Association of Professional Chaplains in 2021.