April 2016 April Mindfulness Classes At NUI Galway

Tibetan Buddhist Monk to deliver public mindfulness classes at NUI Galway as part of the University’s ongoing initiative towards integrating a mindful culture

As part of its ongoing initiative towards integrating mindfulness into the University’s culture, NUI Galway will host a day of Mindfulness classes with Tibetan Buddhist Monk, Gelong Thubten. The classes are free and will take place in NUI Galway’s Aula Maxima Lower on Friday, 15 April, throughout the day from 8.15am to 5pm.  

This month’s theme will focus on Mindfulness Using Visual Objects, followed by a reflection practice on ‘Contemplating the roots of happiness and suffering. Exploring the mechanisms of stress and the psychology of happiness.’ Classes are open to all university staff and students, the general public, researchers, student counsellors and advisors, healthcare professionals, mindfulness practitioners, and anyone with an interest in mindfulness.

The April class is the fourth in a series of monthly classes, which will continue over the coming months, excluding May. The purpose of the classes is to provide a thorough training in mindfulness, teaching new themes and reflection practices each month, which should be practiced in between modules. For those attending for the first time, there is an opportunity to cover the previous three sessions at the 12pm class.

Tibetan Buddhist Monk, Gelong Thubten is based at the Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery in Dumfriesshire in Scotland and works with businesses, hospitals, schools, prisons and addiction centres, and counts among his clients such organisations as the NHS, Google, Morrisons, Clifford Chance and Linklaters. He has lectured on Buddhism and meditation at the universities of Oxford, Helsinki and Cardiff. 

Commenting on what people can expect from the Mindfulness classes Gelong Thubten said: “Mindfulness teaches people to understand more about themselves and where their thinking habits are coming from. It is a way of training the mind to reduce stress and develop greater clarity. It’s about focusing on the present moment, feeling less controlled by our own thoughts and having more mental freedom. At its core mindfulness is teaching people to be compassionate and valuing themselves and others around them.”

Class Schedule for Friday, 15 April, 2016:
8.15am – 9:00am
10.45am – 11.30am
12:00pm – 12.45pm (Beginners)
13.15pm – 14:00pm
17: 00pm – 17:45pm

For more information about NUI Galway’s Mindful Way visit: www.nuigalway.ie/mindfulway

ENDS