Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is considered the gold standard in curricula designed to guide participants into cultivating a practice of mindfulness through techniques of body awareness, sitting and walking meditation, and mindful movement. MBSR fosters comprehensive personal wellness including an increase in emotional resilience and management of stress, anxiety, and pain.
Pioneered by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979, the MBSR curriculum is routinely shared in schools, hospitals, and businesses as a practical way to seek a contemplative path.
Upcoming Courses
Materials
Tuition includes a yoga mat and a copy of Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Full Catastrophe Living. Supplemental materials will be provided in class.
Attendance & Commitment
Attendance at each 2.5 hour session is critical for immersing yourself into the practice of mindfulness and also in completing the home practice. Expect 45 -60 minutes of practice each day during the program.
However, “life happens” and participants may miss one session due to illness or an emergency. If a participant needs to miss two or more sessions they will be allowed to re-take the course at another time with no additional charge. All absences should be communicated to the instructor.
Participation & Consideration
MBSR includes the practice of walking meditation and mindfulness movement (a gentle form of yoga) and is well-suited to most ability and age levels. Please consult the instructor for any considerations you may have and if you have any difficulty engaging in any of the techniques at any given time, you are under no obligation to do so.
MBSR is an educational curriculum for personal use and development but not a substitute for medical treatment or psychological intervention. If you have recently or are currently undergoing treatment for addiction, psychosis, PTSD, clinical depression, anxiety, or other psychological conditions you should consult with your therapist or counselor to determine if MBSR is the right setting for your individual needs.
Instructor
Eric Budzynski ’01 is the Associate Director of Religious & Spiritual Life at Northwestern University. He has been a part of the Northwestern family for nearly 15 years as a proud Bienen alum and Student Affairs staff member. In his role at Northwestern University, he designs, implements, and assesses programming for spiritual well-being, including teaching curricula in mindfulness and hosting weekly meditation community. Eric is a Spiritual Director & Certified Teacher of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and has been trained at the Spiritual Guidance Training Institute, University of California San Diego, University of Massachusetts, Shambhala Mountain Center, & Zen Life & Meditation Center (Chicago). He has been exploring the benefit of contemplative practices for the past two decades and has spent over 45 days in silent retreat. Outside of work, Eric is an America’s Test Kitchen devotee, video game enthusiast, and a woeful, but willing, cribbage partner.