with John McHarris and Misti Oxford-Pickeral

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, May 1, 8, 15 & 22 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 resident in Tampa in conjunction with FCM's Residency program.

Misti Oxford-Pickeral has been a member of the Florida Community of Mindfulness (FCM) since 2016. She participates regularly in intensives, workshops, and retreats. She is active with FCM's kitchen team and with Sangha Care. Misti is a student of Fred Eppsteiner and took refuge and the Five Mindfulness Trainings in March of 2019 and was ordained into the Order of Interbeing (OI) at Blue Cliff Monastery in April 2023. Misti currently serves on FCM's Board of Directors. She lives in Gainesville, FL with her husband.