Caloosahatchee Mindfulness

Caloosahatchee Mindfulness is a very small nonprofit. We currently have 57 members who help us support our efforts to bring mindfulness to our community. Our contact list is over 500 subscribers. Maybe now is the time to consider joining or increasing your membership level. We have a variety of membership levels beginning at a nominal $20 for seniors and students. Besides supporting Caloosahatchee Mindfulness, members also receive a 25% discount on all offerings. This fall we are offering a variety of experiences including art, walking, an introduction to mindfulness, a silent half-day of mindfulness, and a monthly in-person sitting meditation. We hope you consider becoming an active member - our community and country could use the calmness that you could add!

Much Metta,

Maggie

Caloosahatchee Mindfulness Chair

Upcoming Events

October 12, Walking Meditation with Valarie Olsen

at Lakes Park gathering at 8:45, 9 to 9:30 am

October 16, Zentagles: Mindful Art with Vicki Durso

at Behind the Budda Studio, 7 pm -9 pm

October 21, Sitting Meditation with Anne Louise Kracmer

Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Avenue, Building #2

(corner of Winkler & Cypress Lake Drive) 6:30 to 8 pm

November 3-24, Introduction to Mindful Meditation

(4 sessions) with Maggie Stevens,

Sacred Nature Yoga Studio, 1400 Colonial Blvd, Suite 5, 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm.

November 16, Half-Day of Mindfulness: Introduction to Silence

Six Mile Cypress Slough (registration begins in October) 10 am to 2 pm with lunch following.

November 18, Sitting Meditation with Maggie Stevens

Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Avenue, Building #2

(corner of Winkler & Cypress Lake Drive) 6:30 to 8 pm. (A donation is requested.)

November 20, Mindful Art with Vicki Durso

Behind the Buddha Art Studio, 7 pm to 9 pm.

December 18, Mindful Art with Vicki Durso

Behind the Buddha Art Studio, 7 pm to 9 pm.

January 18, Saturday, Annual Membership Meeting

Six Mile Cypress Slough, 10 am to 2 pm with lunch following.

What Else Is Happening?

You can check out guided meditations and talks by our Board Chair on the free app, Insight Timer at Maggie Stevens (insighttimer.com).

Board Member, Valarie Olsen is teaching yoga at Ritual Space. You can find out more about the services she offers at this link: Schedule an Appointment with Valarie Olsen Counseling & Wellness, LLC (acuityscheduling.com)

Community Partner Lotus Blossom Clinic hosts our monthly sitting meditation. They also have a variety of offerings. Check out their calendar - Events | Lotus Blossom Clinic

What's happening in Cape Coral?

Check out: Ascension Healing Center

1059 NE Pine Island Road, Unit 5

Cape Coral, FL 33909

Mon, Oct 7th @ 6:30 pm - Crystal Bowl & Gong Meditation with Tina $25

Mon, Oct 21st @ 6:30 pm - Copper Merkaba Meditation & Reading - Finding your divine life purpose $25

Wed, Oct 17th @ 6:30 pm - Super Moon Ceremony/Drum Circle w/Tina & Liset $40

Sat, Oct 26th, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm - Ascension Day - Serenity Sampler: An hour of 3 services for $75

Mon, Oct 28th @ 6:30 pm - Community Acupuncture Clinic w/Dr. Tenelle Wilson $30

Ascension Healing Center also offers readings you can book in advance. Learn more about their work and offerings on their Facebook page.

Cancellation, Refund, & Credit Policy

Caloosahatchee Mindfulness is part of the non-profit Hearts' Path to Mindful Living, Inc., a community-driven organization that supports mindfulness programs. This cancellation and refund policy is designed to accommodate the time and resources required to plan and execute these programs, including the cost of materials, content development, hardware and software, food and refreshments, facilitator fees, and room accommodations, when applicable.

As a nonprofit, we keep program fees as low as possible. It is difficult for us to absorb the entire cost of late cancellations and no-shows. Continuing to do so would ultimately increase the cost of our programs.

CANCELLATION, REFUND, AND CREDIT POLICY

Because we are a small nonprofit running on a shoestring budget, we have created the following policy regarding our fees. Please review before signing up for offerings.

Our live events require a minimum registration to be beneficial. A registrant who provides notice more than 48 hours before the start of a fee-based workshop, meeting, or informational session will receive a CREDIT to be used for another Caloosahatchee Mindfulness event. NO CASH REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN. NO CREDITS WILL BE ISSUED WITH LESS THAN A 48-HOUR NOTICE.

OUR RIGHT TO CANCEL

Caloosahatchee Mindfulness reserves the right to cancel any event. If a cancellation occurs, registrants will receive a full monetary refund or can choose to keep a credit on file with us.

Mindfulness Practice Opportunities

Walking Meditation

Walking in nature is a way to bring awareness to the present moment and all the beauty that surrounds you, and can be a form of walking meditation. Thich Nhat Hanh says that the practice of mindful walking is a profound and pleasurable way to deepen our connection with our body and the earth.

October's walk will occur at Lakes Park in Fort Myers on Saturday, October 12 at 9:00 a.m. We will meet near the parking lot and restrooms. Join us at 8:45 a.m. for warm-up and orientation, and the walk will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. We will walk through the park on the walking paths.

The parks chosen have some shade and restrooms. Be sure to bring sun protection and water.

Zentangles

This session is a beautiful meditative process based on mindfulness. This simple technique will be used to bypass the rational thinking mind and reach deeply into the mind. All supplies are included to complete one drawing. You may bring a journal for thoughts that come up during the practice.

This course is taught by Vicki Durso. Vicki is certified in yoga and the art processes of Neurographica and Zentangles. She holds a Master's degree in psychology.

This workshop will be held at the Behind the Buddha (BTB) Artists' Studio located at 9290-1 College Parkway which is in the shopping center on the corner of McGregor and College Parkway.

Sangha Sitting Meditation

Caloosahatchee Mindfulness will hold an in-person sitting meditation session on the 3rd Monday of each month. Beginners and experienced meditators are welcome. The session will include sitting and walking meditation, and a post-meditation discussion. Chairs and cushions are provided. A dana (offering) of $5 is requested to help defray the cost of space rental.

The next session will be on October 21, 2024, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm. It will be held at the Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Rd #2, Fort Myers, (corner of Winkler & Cypress Lake Drive)

Introduction to Mindful Meditation

(4 Sessions)

Mindfulness is the practice of developing a friendly or curious attention to the present moment without judgment. Hundreds of research studies demonstrate that mindfulness increases indicators of well-being and decreases psychological and physical symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and pain. Mindfulness helps us be more at home with ourselves and more at ease with others. This four-week, 2 hours per session course, includes talks, a practice time (including sitting and walking meditations), and a question-and-answer period. Prior meditation experience is not a prerequisite. People who would like a refresher are also welcome for a chance to practice and discuss mindfulness with others. The course includes meditation, discussion, and resources.

This weekly course, November 3-24 (12:30 - 2:30 pm) is limited to 15 participants. The class fee for the course is $75 for members and $100 for members.

Half Day of Mindfulness: Introduction to Silence

Silent retreats can help participants learn about their thoughts, emotions, and senses and process uncomfortable feelings. Our half-day silent retreat will involve silence and meditation to help participants disconnect from external distractions and focus on themselves. Using mindful meditation, walking, breathing, and silence, you will have a safe place to experience inner thoughts, feelings, and joy.

The day will begin with an introduction to silent meditation and an overview of the day which will include alternating sitting and walking meditation. Chairs are provided but participants are welcome to bring their own props. The session will close with a discussion and be followed by a provided lunch including vegetarian options.

Join us for this silent retreat on November 16th at Six Mile Cypress Slough from 10 am - 2 pm. Lunch will be provided. The cost is $40 for members and $52 for non-members.

Mindfulness Book Club

Our small group 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

CM Book Club has just begun a new book, On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old by Parker Palmer

From beloved and bestselling author Parker J. Palmer (Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, Healing the Heart of Democracy), comes a beautiful book of reflections on what we can learn as we move closer to "the brink of everything."

But this book is not for elders only. It was written to encourage adults of all ages to explore the way their lives are unfolding. It's not a how-to-do-it book on aging, but a set of meditations in prose and poetry that turn the prism on the meaning(s) of one's life, refracting new light at every turn.

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.

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 a 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.

With Gratitude to our Community Partners

We are grateful to our Community Partners for their support of mindfulness!