Mindfulness Based Living 8 Week Course at Greyfriars Charteris Centre

PLEASE NOTE - This is an in-person & online course combined. If you are joining us in-person it will be held at Greyfriars Charteris Centre, Edinburgh, otherwise you can join us online from the comfort of your own home.

PLEASE ALSO NOTE - This is an eight session course that you are booking onto. It is not possible to book to attend individual sessions. When purchasing, buy the ticket with the first date (starting date) of the course. Once the course commences no further bookings can be taken.

If you would like to book with us directly you can find all our courses and retreats on our website: www.themindfulenterprise.org/courses-and-retreats/

Thank you for considering us as your Mindfulness 8 week course provider. By choosing to do your course with us, you are contributing to our work in schools and disadvantaged communities to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children, young people and adults. Your support is received with our deepest gratitude.

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This Mindfulness Based Living Course (MBLC) is based on the work of international mindfulness teacher Rob Nairn and includes all the principles of Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme plus some important additional modules.

By adopting a mindfulness practice, participants can enhance every aspect of their wellbeing (physical, mental and emotional health). Brain imaging studies have proven that regularly practicing mindfulness can rewire the brain to reduce reactivity & stress, as well as enhance parts of the brain linked to focus & concentration, memory, empathy and understanding, all leading to strengthened relationships and a calmer more controlled version of ourselves.

The aim of the course is to help participants develop a mindfulness practice that can be applied in both personal and professional life.

Week 1 - Start Where we Are - 19th January 2026

Introduction; setting the scene
What is mindfulness & how can we benefit from it?
Recognising the unsettled mind
Learn how to settle the mind
Introducing the core pillars / attitudes of mindfulness

Week 2 - The Body as a Place to Stay Present - 26th January 2026

Understanding the mind-body connection
Using body awareness to become present and grounded
How to integrate mindfulness into everyday life (formal & informal practice)
Exploring kindness

Week 3 - Introducing Mindfulness Support - 2nd February 2026

Mindfulness using sound support
Responding to pleasant and unpleasant events
The art of non striving
Understanding the core practice methods of mindfulness

Week 4 – Working with Distraction - 9th February 2026

Mindfulness using breath support
Understanding the human condition (exploring distraction and habits that can prevent us
from being mindful)
Introducing mindful movement
Becoming skilful at working with distraction

Week 5 - Exploring the Mind - 16th February 2026

Introduction to observer / undercurrent model
Understanding the route to mind mastery
Learning the art of non judgmental awareness
Cultivating kindness and compassion

Week 6 - Understanding How We Relate To The Content of Our Mind - 23rd February 2026

Exploring attitudes
Taming the inner critic
Further developing the skills of mind mastery
Learning the art of acceptance

Week 7 - Working with Difficulty - 2nd March 2026

Understanding the brains emotional systems and how to work with those to
optimise health, wellbeing and performance
Methods and models to manage difficulty
Further developing kindness and compassion
Practicing ‘acceptance’

Week 8 – Living a Mindful Life - 9th March 2026

Revisiting the core methods of mindfulness support
Learning the art of ‘letting go’ to boost health, wellbeing and performance
Training awareness / attention
Group reflection on journey, closing ceremony and next steps

Optional Day Retreat (at The Urban Yurt, 81 Burdiehouse Drive, Edinburgh, EH17 8BD ) - 28th February 2026 (9.30am - 1pm)

Immersive half day of practice and reflection to support the learning’s of the course and help participants develop a regular practice. Highly impactful half day to reinvigorate mind and body.

Group Size: Groups will be no more than 12 persons – group sizes are most often between 8 and 10.

Confidentiality: Group agreements are discussed in week 1 of the course, one of which is confidentiality. Everything discussed in the group setting is private & confidential. All participants agree to these rules in week 1 introduction.

Signing up: Once your place is booked via the website, you will receive a confirmation email and we will then email you approximately 1 week prior to the course start date with some welcome information. •

Course Materials: You will receive an email on the morning after the first evening (week 1) with a link to access the course
manual and audios to support your home practice.

Guidance: An email will be issued each week providing guidance about the meditation practices to focus on for that week, in addition to some other recommended tasks to try. This can help participants to build their own personal practice and access more benefits from the course.

Certificate: You will receive a certificate at the end of the 8 week journey which confirms that you have completed a Mindfulness Based Living Course (16hrs of training, immersive Retreat Day + personal practice hours in between each week.

Learning Outcomes - On course completion participants will:

• Feel a greater sense of calm and less stressed
• Have increased capacity for tolerance (both at home and work)
• Have developed a better relationship with themselves and possibly others
• Feel more resilient in the face of difficulty / heavy workload
• Be better equipped to manage day to day life

This course will be facilitated by Gary Young from The Mindful Enterprise who is trained to teach through The Mindfulness Association.

The course will include a mix of theory and experiential practice.

Course Includes:

• 16hrs of training (eight weekly sessions of two hours)
• Mindfulness day retreat

• Course Manual and audio downloads for home practice
• Certificate of completion

If you can’t make it to the group one week, don't worry, you will have access to the course notes and audio downloads, to catch up in your own time.

Places are limited so booking early is recommended to secure your place.

Many thanks.

From All The Team

The Mindful Enterprise CIC

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