Caloosahatchee Mindfulness
New Beginnings

This week school begins in Southwest Florida. Perhaps you've noticed the change in traffic patterns and seen the buses on the road. You might be able to remember back to that night before the first day of school. Maybe you checked your backpack or lunch box one last time. Maybe you worried if the teacher would pronounce your name right or if you would share any classes with your friends. New beginnings are often a mixed bag of anticipation and anxiety, whether we are starting school, a new job, or a new chapter of our lives. Taking a moment to be present and feel our feet is a great way to bring ourselves back to the present moment. Meditation teacher and author, Jan Chozen Bays, M.D. wrote, "Placing your awareness in the bottoms of your feet will lead to mental stability and emotional serenity if you practice it diligently." And if those feet have a new pair of school shoes on them, so much the better. We send Metta to all the students, parents, teachers, and school staff as they begin a new year!
Meet the Caloosahatchee Mindfulness Board
We would like to highlight our Board Members. This month we'll begin with our new Board Chair, Maggie Stevens.

Like everyone else, I am a composite of selves and roles. I am a mother, grandmother, partner, sister, daughter, student, teacher, meditator, watercolorist, writer, reader, volunteer, hiker, and camper. I enjoy investing time in meditation, in nature, with family, with friends, and with my ginger tabby cats.

I became a meditation teacher so that I could share this life-changing practice which I've maintained for more than 15 years. I retired from thirty years with the School District of Lee County's Early Childhood programs. I began the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program taught by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach in January 2019. Synchronistically, that was also the beginning of my journey with large B-cell lymphoma. Mindfulness helped me navigate the pain and stay present. I was less fearful and more grateful than I would have thought possible. In the fall of 2020, I was found to be in complete remission. I completed my mindfulness teacher training in January 2021.
I believe that mindfulness meditation can help us not only overcome the obstacles and rough patches in our lives, but also open us up to the joy, wonder, and gratitude that can be found in each day. 
As the Board Chair for Caloosahatchee Mindfulness, it is my intention to share the gifts of mindfulness to promote well-being in our community. We'd love for you to join us!
Caloosahatchee Rising Tide Sangha's
Midweek Mindfulness
Sangha is the Pali word for community.

You are invited to attend the every Wednesday Sangha that meets on Zoom for meditation and deep sharing.
This is a great opportunity to check in with yourself and the sangha during the week. So come relax and calm the mind and body, and practice meditation and deep listening together with us. 

Did you know that Caloosahatchee Rising Tide Sangha is listed in Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village Global Sangha Directory? Join us and see how sangha can support your practice.

You can register on our website, www.caloosahatcheemindfulness.org and the Zoom link will be sent to you. For more information, you can also email us at caloosahatcheemindfulness16@gmail.com
Mindfulness Book Club

A small group that studies and shares books on mindfulness practices to create a happier and healthier life.
For information on joining the group by Zoom and the next book to be discussed, call or text (941) 888-0116 or email caloosahatcheemindfulness16@gmail.com

The book club is finishing Jack Kornfield’s After The Ecstasy the Laundry and will soon be starting Boundless Heart: The Buddha’s Path of Kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity by Christina Feldman.

Discussion is focused on understanding how the author’s words and concepts
are relevant to our daily lives.

The book club is free to all Caloosahatchee Mindfulness members or participants can join for the pre-pandemic fee of $20 a month ($5 a week).

For more information about membership see the membership information below.
Friday Time-Out
Every Friday morning and evening at 10:00 am and 5 pm, meditation sessions include a 20-minute meditation with initial guidance and then silent sitting. After the meditation, there is a group discussion, a 5-minute silent reflection, and then thought for the week and check out. These meditations are offered at no cost and no experience is necessary.

For information on joining the group by Zoom, call or text (941) 888-0116,
or email caloosahatcheemindfulness16@gmail.com. You can also register on our website and receive the link directly. www.caloosahatcheemindfulness.org
Survey Says! ✋🏼
Currently, the Caloosahatchee Rising Tide Sangha meets on Zoom every Wednesday at 5:00 pm. We will shortly be sending out an email containing a short six-question survey. This survey will be used to gather information as to how and when people might like to participate. Please take a moment and complete the survey for us. We appreciate your support.
Become a Caloosahatchee Mindfulness Member!
We invite you to join us in our practice of mindfulness. We welcome you to check out our new and improved website at

You can join us directly from the website,
or contact us via email at CaloosahatcheeMindfulness16@gmail.com and we will be happy to mail you a membership brochure.

We look forward to practicing with you. 🙏🏼
Mindfulness on the Go!
Can't make Midweek Mindfulness?
Need a few minutes to quiet the mind?
Join us on Insight Timer!