About Us
Monadnock Mindfulness Practice Center
What We Offer at the Center
We are an entirely volunteer organization. Almost everything in the Center (books, cushions, decorations, etc.) has been donated by grateful participants.
In addition to our regular meditation sittings we offer:
A lending library with several hundred books
Occasional guest speakers
Twice yearly 8-week Introduction to Meditation courses, taught by Aylene and Ginnie
Specialized 8-week courses such as Mindfulness for Chronic Pain and Mindful Self Compassion, varying each year, taught by Tom.
Occasional day-long workshops for those who want to deepen their ongoing understanding of mindfulness meditation
Occasional film nights with a mindfulness theme
Benefits of Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the bringing of one’s full attention to the present moment. Deepening this practice during meditation sessions –– as well as in daily life –– helps to develop a calm and openhearted approach to living through challenging times and circumstances. In addition, the practice of mindfulness enhances clarity, deepening our understanding of self and others while opening the capacity to make a positive difference in the world around us.
Multiple studies of the benefits of mindfulness meditation have demonstrated that regular practice can enrich daily living. People who come to the Center report that developing a meditation practice helps to deal with challenging stresses, including parenting, a demanding job, a serious illness, or death of a loved one.
Our Instructors and Facilitators
Tom Bassarear
I have practiced Vipassana meditation since 1979 and have had significant experiences in many different religions and spiritual traditions. I have taught meditation and mindfulness at Keene State College to students in many courses and to faculty and staff; to teachers and children in local schools; at the local hospital; at the County jail; and at the Monadnock Mindfulness Practice Center which I helped to found in 2002. (www.tombassarear.com)
Aylene Wozmak
Aylene Wozmak has been practicing meditation for over 15 years. She has been a Hospice Nurse for over 25 years and is Chairperson of the Board as well as a facilitator at the Center. She has received training in Mind/Body Medicine through Harvard Medical School Dept. of Continuing Medical Education.
Ginnie Gavrin
Ginnie Gavrin has been practicing meditation for 30 years. She holds a Masters Degree in Counseling where she focused on integrating meditation into working through life crises. She is a member of the Board and a facilitator at the Mindfulness Center.
Eve Kodiak
Eve Kodiak discovered Zen meditation when she was 25, and has been meditating in various forms ever since. A professional musician, she is particularly interested in mantra as a meditative tool. She also draws upon her movement background (yoga, specialized kinesiology, reflex integration). Her classes usually include some intention work, light stretching, listening to live music, and healing relaxation. She lives in Keene, NH, with her partner, some tone drums, a gong, and three pianos.
Donations
When the Center opened, we decided not to charge for services but rather to rely on donations from participants. In so doing, we have been able to serve many people who would not otherwise be able to afford even a standard fee.
For people who have asked for some guidance on donations, we figure that if we averaged about $8 per person from the weekly sittings and then add the donations we generally receive from courses at the Center, we would be able to pay the rent, insurance, and printing.