What is Interpersonal Mindfulness: Cultivating Presence in Relationship?

Our lives are webs of social relationships and communication. In all relationships, we find joys and tensions. We wish for things to be different, appreciation, longing, and stress. Often, we communicate out of habit, being pulled by likes and dislikes, assumptions and judgments. In this course, developing interpersonal mindfulness leads to being more fully present and caring with others and oneself.

Interpersonal Mindfulness helps the heart and mind relax with the recognition of our shared human experience. We explore the roots of interpersonal stress and the possibilities of transformation. This class is an opportunity to experience how mindfulness can deepen our understanding of ourselves, others, create attunement, and enhance our relationships.

This 8-week class is based upon the practice of Insight Dialogue developed by meditation teacher and author Gregory Kramer. Through guided meditations, talks, participatory exercises, and small group discussions we will experience the power of mutually established mindfulness and explore integrating the relational aspects of mindfulness and wisdom into our daily lives. These practices lead to greater clarity about the nature of suffering and its release. The wholesome impact on relationships is immediate and lasting.

 What are the Learning Objectives and Outcomes of Interpersonal: Cultivating Presence in Relationship?

• To deepen the practice of mindfulness meditation.
• To learn guidelines for increasing awareness in our interactions.
• To recognize habitual ways we react to stress and anxiety in relationships. 
• To cultivate wholesome, and release unwholesome, mind states and actions.
• To learn ways of listening to oneself and others more deeply.