Category Archives: Center News

Center News, Practice

CMCS shares online/virtual activities and offerings from members and partners

Due to the ongoing threat of Zoom bombers disrupting meditations and meetings, this list intentionally asks that you reach out to individuals rather than providing open/standing links.  Thank you for your understanding.

 Mondays:

Insight Meditation Community of Pittsburgh meets on Mondays at 7pm via zoom. Anyone who is interested should please contact Steven Bend at stevenbend@gmail.com for more details and emails to the weekly links, or visit the parent-organization’s website at www.imcw.org.

Wednesdays: 

Rhonda Rosen leads an open meditation group on Wednesday evenings 6-7:30 with a Vipassana / Insight meditation style of practice.  Please email Rhonda at rhonda.k.rosen@gmail.com if you are interested in receiving these invitations.

Thursdays:

Every other Thursday, Dr. Carol Greco leads a meditation evening. It is primarily attended by previous Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) participants but is open for others to join. 6:30-7:30pm ET is guided meditations, and 7:30-8pm ET is an optional discussion time.  Write to greco@pitt.edu if you want to be on this email list for a monthly reminder.

Students:

Students may wish to review the resources at https://www.studentaffairs.pitt.edu/cc/student-self-care-day/self-guided-self-care-activities/connect or contact The Pitt Mindfulness Club/Mind Sense at https://www.facebook.com/SKYatPitt and mindsenseatpitt@gmail.com

Non- local online meetings/guided meditations:

Jon Kabat-Zinn (who developed MBSR), together with his son and other meditation teachers, offers meditations and resources through Wisdom 2.0. https://www.wisdom2summit.com/

Brown University Center for Mindfulness offers free online mindfulness meditation sessions most days of the week, including some in Spanish. https://www.brown.edu/public-health/mindfulness/class/three-community-mindfulness-meditation-sessions-available-zoom-and-telephone

Boundless Way Temple has meditation sessions every morning and several evenings.  The meditations are not guided. https://worcesterzen.org/

Deanna Burkett, who used to teach MBSR at UPMC Center for Integrative Medicine, now lives in Indiana but offers evening classes online:   www.deannaburkett.com 

We recognize that this is not an exhaustive list.  If you have suggestions for University of Pittsburgh resources or CMCS-member-affiliated virtual resources, please feel welcome to write to mindfulness@pitt.edu. 

Center News, Events

CMCS offers virtual meditation sessions

During this time of uncertainty, it can be a challenge to manage stress and stay connected with others. In an effort to stay connected and facilitate self-care, CMCS Co-Director Dr. Carol Greco and her colleague (and CMCS member) Dr. Kelly Beck will be offering weekly virtual meditation sessions to anyone interested.

Monday meditations sessions will begin at 5:30 p.m. Please note that that Monday evening sessions have a new Web address, and will continue into June.  The new address is:

https://pitt.zoom.us/j/155887635

Tuesday sessions have been discontinued at this time.

Please direct any questions about the Wednesday evening SKY Meditation for students (i.e. details and times) to Graham Dore at GAD40@pitt.edu.

Feel free to join if you are interested and available for a guided meditation and to connect with others. For additional help in joining a Zoom meeting, go to:  https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-Meeting

Center for Mindfulness and Consciousness Studies, Center News, Events

5th Annual Mindfulness Fair on March 28th: Engaged Mindfulness for Change – Update

The Center for Mindfulness and Consciousness Studies at the University of Pittsburgh is proud to present the 5th Annual Mindfulness Fair–Engaged Mindfulness for Change–on March 28th from 9:30am – 4pm at the Fanny Edel Falk Laboratory School.

Engaged Mindfulness encompasses the movement of mindfulness from practice into action for change in all areas of life, including personal growth, social equality, sustainability and global transformation. Our event will highlight the work of Pittsburgh area professionals and practitioners in various workshop, lecture and practice sessions.

Open a copy of the 2020 Mindfulness Fair Program, Schedule, and Map of events to find out more.

Returning by overwhelming request, Michelle King will keynote our event with a message of love and compassionate action for change.

Michelle King is a learning instigator & love activist. All of her intersectional identities and lived experiences are her “big data” which have deeply informed her practice. She is a lifelong learner and is joyfully in search of ways for us humans to learn to get out of our heads and into our hearts.

The event is free but registration is strongly suggested. you can register in advance at Eventbright. We look forward to seeing you!

Other highlights will include:

  • 20+ sessions in 5 tracks – Speaker, Workshop, Creative, Movement and Meditation
  • Interactive panel highlighting Engaged Mindfulness Work in Pittsburgh
  • Practice Room – short practices offered throughout the day, both led and personal
  • Family-centered activities such as Family Yoga, Mindful Art and Storytelling
  • 20+ information tables with Pittsburgh-based practice groups and non-profits
  • Food truck round-up from 12-3pm with for-purchase lunch options
  • NEW THIS YEAR – BOOK DRIVE! Please consider bringing along a book to support Books for Change. View the recommended booklist here.

Check our Facebook page for the most up-to-date answers or to ask a question!

Transportation and Parking: 

Oakland is experiencing a multitude of tricky construction projects at the moment, so please plan ahead and mindfully consider your transportation options.

Bus lines – 83 – Bedford Hill stops at VA Hospital which is right across from the Falk building. The 82 Lincoln-Center Ave stops one long block away at the corner of Aliquippa and Center Avenue.

Garage Options – The University’s OC lot is 2 long blocks away.  You may also consider the O’Hara Garage and Soldiers and Sailors Garage, which are both only about 1/3 mile away but have steep changes in elevation to reach the Falk School.  Attendees who register through Eventbright will receive additional parking updates a few days before the event.

Accessible parking – available on-site for pre-registered attendees. Contact lcn6@pitt.edu to save a spot.

Food:

Free coffee, tea and water will be available throughout day (bring your own drinking vessel!) and light snacks will be available in the morning. Food trucks will be on site from 12-3pm and open for attendees to purchase their own lunches. Attendees are welcome to bring their own lunch and snacks as well!

 

Center for Mindfulness and Consciousness Studies, Center News, Practice

On-Campus Meditation and Reflection Spaces at the University of Pittsburgh

Interested in meditating around campus? There are several places to meet  your schedule…

The Center for Mindfulness and Consciousness Studies offers unguided, silent meditation space at 3520 5th Avenue, 2nd Floor in the Stoner Conference Room, Mondays and Fridays, 12pm—1pm (excluding university holidays).

Yoga U PGH offers semi-guided meditation, 3608 Forbes Ave. Walk-ins welcome Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:15—12:45. Door locks once session begins at 12:15. Go here for scheduling.

The William Pitt Union Reflection Room, 3959 Fifth Ave, 3rd Floor, is open for silent reflection, meditation, and prayer during all WPU Building Hours.  An ablution station is also available near the restrooms.

Pitt Stress Free Zone offers walk-in services and regularly  scheduled classes at 3959 Fifth Ave, 3rd Floor. All services are for Pitt students only. For the Stress Free Zone schedule, check out the September 2019 calendar.

Center for Integrated Medicine offers evening meditations at 580 S. Aiken Avenue, Suite 310. Sessions are scheduled on a monthly basis. Email greco@pitt.edu to RSVP or request more information.

All spaces are free and welcome everyone unless otherwise noted.