PROGRAMS

Before transformation can occur, we need to stabilize our minds, ground ourselves in everyday reality, and heal any emotional wounds that we have carried for years.  We need to learn how to lead a mindful life of wellbeing and presence and how to create relationships grounded in goodness and honesty. The key words here are groundedness, emotional stability, and greater clarity and ease in daily life.

Core Teachings

The core teachings of the Mindful Living Path are as follows:

• Mindfulness: Learning how to live in the present moment, the "here and now"
• Mindful Living as presented in the Thich Nhat Hanh/Plum Village tradition
• The dangers of spiritual bypassing and the need for emotional self-healing
• The Four Foundations of Mindfulness
• Studying the Five Mindfulness Trainings

Practices

• Developing a daily practice of sitting, walking, and body/breath mindfulness meditation
  
• Deep relaxation
  
• Deep sharing/deep listening
• Working with negative emotions, difficult mind states, one's wounded inner child
  
• Engaged Buddhism, mindfulness practices in daily life, including relationships
• Mindful consumption

Recommended Dharma Talks

The following Dharma talks given by FCM's teacher, Fred Eppsteiner, provide helpful insight into important aspects of this Path. A complete listing of Fred's Dharma talks related to this Path can be found in Dharma Talks.

• The Importance of Aspiration and Intention In Living a Meaningful Life
  
• Composting Emotional Afflictions into the Soil of Well-being (Series)
  
• Taking Care of Personal Suffering (Series)
• Pith Teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh (Series)

Suggested Readings

• Miracle of Mindfulness; Happiness; Reconciliation; How to Sit, et al. by Thich Nhat Hanh
• Books on mindfulness and mindful living
• Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
• Emotional Alchemy by Tara Bennett-Goleman
• Joyfully Together, The Art of Building A Harmonious Community by Thich Nhat Hanh

Activities

• Attending Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation Class and FCM workshops on mindfulness
• Attending weekly group meditations and listening to Dharma talks
• Attending Days of Mindfulness
• Participating in Mindful Living Intensives
• Working with a mentor