The 8-Week MBSR Mindfulness Course began Thursday April 14th. There is still an opportunity to join in Week 2, on Thursday April 21st. Contact Lizzie Harrison, below.  

lizzie@redemptoristsesker.ie wrote:

Dear Friends

There will be an MBSR mindfulness course starting in Esker on Thursday the 14^th April. I would highly recommend this course for stress, bereavement , pain management or general well-being.  Would you mind spreading the word for me and if there is anybody you know who might be interested  will you let them know.

Thanks a million, Hope all is well in your world.

Warm regards

Lizzie

8-WEEK MBSR MINDFULNESS TRAINING WITH MICHAEL LALLY

Mindfulness What is Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction  (MBSR)?

Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn developed the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Mindfulness is a way of paying attention, on purpose in the present moment with no judgment.  Rooted in the ancient Buddhist art of meditation, mindfulness can be learned and practised by anyone, no matter what their religious or cultural background. The approach to it is completely secular.  Over the past thirty years, mindfulness skills have been taught with great effect in behavioural medicine and mental health settings as well as in corporations, schools, law courts, legal practices, prisons, and government agencies.  Mindfulness is particularly effective in preventing relapsing depression and in dealing with grief.

About Michael Lally, the Facilitator::

An ex- teacher,  Michael is now an Associate Lecturer in the  Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs, NUI, Galway.  Michael is also a Community Training Officer with Headstrong the National Centre for Youth Mental Health.

With qualifications in Counselling and Psychology Michael is a member of the British Psychological Society and is an accredited teacher of the MBSR. The course will teach the Mindfulness curriculum as designed and approved by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the Massachusetts Medical Centre.  He trained to teach the curriculum with the Faculty of the Institute of Mindfulness-Based Approaches, Germany.

———— From Lizzie Harrison (Youth Ministry Co-ordinator and Development Officer, in Esker:)

I would recommend the MBSR to anyone.  Having completed the 8 week course myself I have found it life changing as it has established me in a daily practice of prayer and reflection. Even though MBSR is a secular course, we are spiritual beings and I believe mindfulness is one way we can access the deep well of our own spirituality and experience the God within.  We use mindfulness and meditation on our retreats here in Esker and it is always the highlight of the day for the young people involved.  In the long term we would hope to provide training to teachers in mindfulness here in Esker and the MBSR is a basic requirement for further training.  See https://www.sanctuary.ie/product-category/meditation-mindfulness/ for examples of teacher training courses on offer there at present. ( Lizzie)

When:           Thursday April 14th,  2016:

Where:             Esker Redemptorist Monastery and Retreat Centre

Time:                         7.30-10pm

Cost:                         €250 can be paid in instalments, €50 deposit required.

Contact:             Esker at info@redemptoristsesker.ie or 091844844007 or

Michael Lally at michaellally@eircom.net or 0879740243

Deposit:            €50 to be made out to Michael Lally can be posted to Lizzie Harrison, Esker monastery, Athenry, Co. Galway.

HOW TO GET TO ESKER: (Our Esker EirCode is H65 XA36. No need to stand at the crossroads, anymore, waiting for the postman to find us!).

Directions to Esker Directions to Esker Retreat Centre.

N53° 16.940; W8° 40.852

From the East, take Exit 16 from M6 for Kiltullagh.

From Kiltullagh, follow the signs for Athenry on R348. As you pass the church it should be on your right hand side.  Go about 2 kms and Turn Right immediately before the Underpass. Continue for 1.6km to Esker Monastery.

From the West, take Exit 17 from M6 for Athenry. Follow the

signs for New Inn/Ballinasloe on R348. Turn Left immediately

after the Underpass. Continue for 1.6km to Esker Monastery.

From the South, take N66 from Gort to Loughrea. Take N65

from Loughrea to M6. Do NOT enter M6. Cross over the

motorway and follow the signs for Kiltullagh From Kiltullagh,

follow the signs for Athenry on R348 (As you pass the church it should be on your right).

 Continue 2kms and turn right immediately before the Underpass. Continue for 1.6km to Esker Monastery.

From the North West, take N17 to Tuam. In Tuam, turn

left at the 3rd traffic lights towards Dublin/Athenry/Tuam Golf

Club. Pass the “level crossing”. Then turn right at the Mini

Roundabout. Continue to the next roundabout and turn left.

Continue on the Dublin/Athenry road. Turn right at Fork R347

for Athenry at Bishop McHale College.

Continue R347 to Athenry. From Athenry

follow the signs for Ballinasloe on R348.

Turn Left immediately after the Underpass.

Continue for 1.6km to Esker Monestery.