Sharon Allen is a long time practitioner and teacher of mindfulness meditation and different forms of movement. She taught Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for many years. Sharon leads several on-going meditation groups that explore spiritual development through meditation, study, and reflection. Sharon encourages the integration of mindfulness in dealing with life’s ever-changing events. When it is suitable, Sharon offers the movement practices of Tai Chi and Qi Gong to enhance mindfulness. These movement practices can be adapted and are beneficial for people with varied physical capabilities.
Sharon Allen guides the listener through a body scan meditation to bring a gentle clear attention to the body from head to toe. The body scan practice is not just a practice for beginning meditators, or as a stress-reduction tool. It serves as a key foundational practice for all meditators who are earnest about following the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, and strengthening mindfulness of the body.
Sharon Allen discusses loving kindness as an antidote for any mind state that is trapped in ill-will or hatred. She tells us that it is important to remember the importance of loving kindness by noticing the small things done in kindness to others, as well as noticing the the effects metta has on our own heart.
These are the guided meditations from the "Developing a Mindfulness Meditation Practice" course. The weekly content for this series included:
1. Why Meditate: The power of mindfulness with breathing,
2. Cultivating Presence: Mindfulness of the body,
3. Settling the Restless Mind: Mindfulness of thoughts,
4. Emotional Presence: Mindfulness of mental states,
5. Practicing Kindness: Metta Practice, and
6. Remember to Remember: Mindfulness recap and practice tips.
