Mindful Origins – Presence, Trust, Awakened Heart, and Interconnection Session 1: Choosing Presence in Each Moment

Mindful Origins – Presence, Trust, Awakened Heart, and Interconnection

In keeping with the Bascom’s annual theme, the 2023 Mindfulness Series will explore the origins of mindfulness through the lens of interconnection. Art and mindfulness each offer humanity the opportunity to step beyond isolation and into belongingness. Viewing art, communing with nature, or practicing mindfulness can facilitate transformative experiences of oneness – a felt sense that we are a part of a whole, of something larger.

At its inception, mindfulness is trust in life unfolding occurring when we are present with an open heart. When we are open-hearted, we hold immense capacities for tender compassion, profound love, and renewed joy. Taken together, inter-related presence, loving awareness, and trust allow us to experience and understand the strength of and basis for the innate connection among all things.

Join Debra at the Bascom on June 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th from 9:30-10:30 a.m. to practice mindfulness. Take home simple strategies designed to enrich your relationships with self, others, and the world.

No previous experience with mindfulness or movement are needed to benefit from the series. The sessions are free of charge. Each session is available as a stand-alone class or as a part of the integrated series. Please register in advance for individual classes or the entire series.

Session 1:  Choosing Presence in Each Moment

May you awaken to the mystery of being here
And enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.
- John O’Donohue, A Blessing for Presence

When we are present or are aware of our difficulty in being present, we build our capacity to trust ourselves. Through presence, we engage with life on its own terms. During this session, we will practice mindful viewing of artwork later discussing how to apply the process to enhance presence in daily life.

Presenter Biography

Debra Alvis, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist, a certified therapeutic yoga educator, and mindfulness teacher. Her work in wellness spans three decades. Debra is a sought-after international speaker and consultant. She has offered Morning Mindfulness at the Georgia Museum of Art for the last eleven years and has served as a mindfulness consultant and leadership trainer for the National Association of Art Educators.
In her teaching, Debra integrates mindfulness and gentle movement to support people in enhancing and maintaining well-being. Through wellness consultation, continuing education seminars, and community presentations, she has trained thousands of community members and healthcare professionals in mindfulness and resiliency. She especially finds joy in sharing mindfulness tools that deepen our relationships with each other and with our world.