The Answer Is Practice
/ Copper Beech Instituteby Karen Maezen Miller
Q: I am confused when you say, “Mindfulness without meditation is just a word.” Do you mean that in addition to practicing mindfulness whenever we can throughout the day, we also need to spend time in quiet mindfulness meditation?
A: I understand the confusion. The current mindfulness movement originated as a way to share the benefits of meditation in a medical or therapeutic setting. Although the practice of meditation was retained, the word “meditation” was not, perhaps because of its association with Eastern traditions. As a result, today there is some confusion that mindfulness and meditation are not related. Mindfulness is attention, true, but meditation is the cultivation of one’s attention. We cannot be mindful without practicing paying attention. If we are only thinking, “I am mindful,” it doesn’t get us very far. The old masters didn’t worry about words, but having practiced seated meditation, they took their concentrated mind with them throughout the day in all activities.
If one happens to only read books about mindfulness, the practice aspect may be overlooked.
Another analogy might be telling ourselves that we are full, when in fact we have failed to eat.
This post is republished from Cheerio Road with permission from Karen Maezen Miller
Upcoming Programs at Copper Beech Institute
Online Donation Based Morning and Afternoon Meditation Sessions
Monday - Friday from 7:30 - 8:00 AM ET (US)
Tuesday - Friday from 12:30 - 1:00 PM ET (US)
Join our global community of mindfulness practitioners and experience support and connection as we unite our hearts and minds in practice.
Online Course with Brian Thompson
Tuesdays, May 7 - 28, 2024 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM ET (US)
You’ll explore the basics of mindfulness and learn practical tools for reducing stress, increasing joy, improving sleep, and enhancing your overall wellbeing. Each session will include conversation, teaching, breakdown of the techniques, guided practice, and reflection.
In-Person Retreat with Jessica Alejandro
May 10, 2024 at 5 PM to May 11, 2024 at 6 PM
Join us during Mother's Day weekend, for a soul-stirring overnight retreat. Through a blend of ancient rituals, sound healing, meditation, and soul inquiry practices, we will connect with our maternal ancestors (Mothers, Grandmothers, Great Grandmothers, etc.) breaking toxic generational patterns, and cultivating healing, peace, and love.
Donation-Based Online Meditation with Dr. Peggy Rowe Ward
Monday, May 13, 2024 at 12:30 - 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US)
Copper Beech is thrilled to offer these 30-minute guided practices as a sampling of the transformative concepts we will be delving into during Dr. Larry Ward's and her upcoming 3-night retreat, "The Great Way of Resilience: Coming Home to Ourselves and Our World."
In-Person Day Retreat with Vamsi Koneru
Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Through a blend of meditation practices, scientific insights, and group discussions, participants will gain practical tools and a deeper understanding of how mindfulness can enhance focus, compassion, and bodily awareness, leading to a more fulfilling life.
In-Person Course with Kathy Simpson
Class Dates: Wednesdays, May 29, June 5, 12, 19, 2024 from 6:30 - 8 PM
You may have just completed MBSR, or perhaps you’ve been meditating for months or even years. You appreciate how powerful mindfulness and meditation can be, but how do you take your practice to the next level? In this course, we will explore ways to reach new depths in meditation based on Buddhist teachings on mindfulness.
In-Person 5-Night Retreat with Marianela Medrano
May 30, 2024 at 5 PM to June 4, 2024 at 1 PM
In this warm and welcoming 5-night retreat, we’ll explore mindfulness as a tool to rediscover joy, find balance in life, and start new habits aligned with your needs.
Online Donation-Based Monthly Meditation Group for BIPOC with Kai Belton
Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 9:30 - 10:00 AM ET (US)
We’re inviting you as our beloved BIPOC community to join our intentional affinity meditation group. This gathering is a healing space to comfortably gather in a part guided and part silent meditation practice. Click the link below for dates and how to join!
Online Course with Brian Thompson
Tuesdays, June 4 - 25, 2024 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM ET (US)
You’ll explore the basics of mindfulness and learn practical tools for reducing stress, increasing joy, improving sleep, and enhancing your overall wellbeing. Each session will include conversation, teaching, breakdown of the techniques, guided practice, and reflection.
Online Half-Day Retreat with Michelle Douglas
June 8, 2024 from 8 AM - 12 PM Eastern Time (US)
Throughout this half-day retreat you will explore practices to integrate both your light and your shadow, allowing you to reclaim feelings of safety, pleasure, empowerment, forgiveness, and love. ❤️