We explore how to be aware of body sensations from a "Somatic Mindfulness" or body-based perspective, as well as get guidance on how to mindfully work with physical pain

Adam will give the talk. Over the past seven months, Adam traveled through Bali, Nepal, and Japan on a pilgrimage that became both an outer journey and an inner exploration. At the heart of this journey was a simple question: What allows a human being to feel truly at home within themselves? Drawing from meditation, spiritual pilgrimage, and somatic practice, Adam reflects on how love transforms shame and restores our innate dignity and belonging. He will share how he sees the journey through the lens of the five elemental stages of SomAwaken that he teaches.

This foundational talk on mindfulness offers insight into why and how to practice mindfulness, the science behind it, what makes meditation difficult, the qualities of a mindful mind, and the fruits of the practice.

In our first morning, you are guided to slow down, settle, and turn toward your breath as your faithful anchor for the meditation.

Guided meditation using the chant from the Pali Sutta text for the Divine Abidings (Brahmaviharas)

This guided meditation establishes mindfulness through the Arriving Sequence (a part of the Naturally Arising Practice Method - dharmaground.org/teachings) before turning toward objects of experience. The practice then cultivates embodied knowing, sensing the space within and without, and eventually opens to the vastness of consciousness knowing space. This spacious knowing supports a freedom from grasping, allowing experience to pass through while remaining grounded in well-being.