Click here for more information about mindfulNU.
The first step of a pathway into mindfulness is experiencing it for yourself.
Breathing Space Practice
Try this 3 Minute Breathing Space now.
After you finish listening, ask yourself:
- What did I notice?
- How is this different from how I normally pay attention?
- What am I experiencing in my body, thoughts, feelings right now?
What Is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the experience of developing particular awareness to the present moment without judgement. The practice of mindfulness includes drawing attention to the breath, the entire body, physical sensations, thoughts, and sounds. Exploring mindfulness comes in many ways and forms but is often associated with meditation, walking, and yoga or body movement.
Mindfulness has a place in nearly all faith and spiritual traditions but it not specifically tied to one religion nor is a religious practice in of itself. Mindfulness cultivates a path into developing awareness and response to the everyday stress of life. For thousands of years, students of mindfulness have understood the benefits and agency of these practices and now the latest neurological science also lends an empirical understanding as well.
The varied practices of mindfulness are as broad as they are deep and they are most fully supported in community settings backed by peer educators and staff expertise.
Where Do I Start?
mindfulNU | Fall Cohort 2024
mindfulNU is an evidence based approach to explore mediation and mindfulness in a environment of relational, experiential and reflective learning. Group practices include sitting, walking, loving kindness meditation, writing, and group sharing. The curriculum, developed by staff and students, is based on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) which is widely received as the gold standard for creating a personal mindfulness/meditation practice. Graduates of the program will be eligible to apply for the MindfulNU Student Facilitator program.
- Fall Quarter Cohort
- Mondays | October 7 - November 11 | 5:30pm-7:00pm in Parkes 204
- 1/2 Day Retreat | Sunday, November 11 | 10:30am-3:30pm in Parkes Hall
- Fill out an interest form here (class size is limited)
The program is led by Eric Budzynski, Associate Director for Religious & Spiritual Life and Certified Teacher of MBSR and our Mindfulness Student Leaders, Maggie Munday Odom & Sai Thirunagari.
Weekly Drop-In Meditation Communities
- Start a new meditation practice and be supported in a group setting with your peers! Led by students and staff. Each guided meditation or mindfulness practice is about 15-20 minutes long followed by some group discussion and time for questions. Open to all students, staff and faculty.
- Wednesdays (during the academic term) in Parkes 204 | 12:15-12:45 pm
- Fridays (during the academic term) in Parkes 204
- Mindful Movement | 3:30-4pm (accessible to all levels and abilities)
- Guided Meditation/Mindfulness Practice | 4-4:30 pm (followed by snacks and community time)
Sign up for the Mindfulness Northwestern List-Serv
- Get occasional messages and updates (and the secret to an free burrito now & again)
MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction)
- The complete and foundational 8 week curriculum designed to guide participants into an ongoing practice of mindfulness through various modalities of meditation practice
- Usually offered only in Spring Quarter