Workshops/Courses

FALL 2025

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course: FALL 2025

Center for Contemplative Practices is pleased to offer an eight-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course to staff, faculty, students, and administrators.

Developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. based on clinical research and his own experiences, MBSR is the most studied mindfulness program in the U.S. Research has shown that with consistent practice, MBSR can relieve stress in personal and professional settings and increase overall well-being.

The course takes place over eight Wednesday sessions and one Saturday session:

Class 1: Wednesday, September 24, 5:30–8:00 p.m.
Class 2: Wednesday, October 1, 5:30–8:00 p.m.
Class 3: Wednesday, October 8, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Class 4: Wednesday, October 15, 5:30–8:00 p.m.
Class 5: Wednesday, October 22, 5:30–8:00 p.m.
Class 6: Wednesday, October 29, 5:30–8:00 p.m.
All-day retreat: Saturday, November 1, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Class 7: Wednesday, November 5, 5:30–8:00 p.m.
Class 8: Wednesday, November 12, 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Location TBD.

As you consider MBSR, please be aware of the following:

It is important to attend all sessions of the course and the all-day retreat.
A personal commitment to home practice of 45–60 minutes daily at least six days per week for the next eight weeks is essential (“formal practice”). It is the home practice of mindfulness that gives you the best chance to fully realize the benefits MBSR can offer.
A personal commitment to practice mindfulness in daily living (“informal practice”) can enhance the benefits of the MBSR program. We can bring mindfulness to eating, walking, driving, and interpersonal relationships, anytime throughout the day.
In addition to mindfulness practice in class and at home, you will have occasional additional assignments to complete between sessions.

This highly participatory, practical course includes:

Guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices
Gentle movement and mindful yoga
Practicing in community
Group dialogue & inquiry
Home practice (with guided audio and a home packet to support your practice)

Staff, faculty, students, and administrators are all welcome to participate. No prior mindfulness experience is necessary. We anticipate that the 15 seats will fill up quickly.

Considering taking an MBSR course is in itself practicing mindfulness—pausing to check in about whether this is the right time for you to participate.

If the answer is yes, please .

If you have questions, please contact Ranjeeta Basu at rbasu@csusm.edu

Workshops on Request

We also offer a variety of customized workshops, courses, retreats on a range of topics which include:

Introduction to Mindfulness
Contemplative pedagogy for faculty
Mindfulness and Inclusive excellence
Mindful Communication
Mindfulness for finding Joy
Mindfulness for Resilience and Uncertainty
Mindfulness for Morale Building
Mindfulness for Stress Reduction
Mindful Leadership
Mindful compassion for caregivers and social workers
Mindfulness for Community Healing
Mindfulness for Diversity and Inclusion
Mindfulness for Teachers
Mindfulness for Health related fields
Mindfulness for Business

These workshops and courses range from semester long courses to 4 to 6 week offerings to half day sessions to 2 hour sessions. If you don't see one offered that you would like to see us offer please reach out to us and we will be happy to design one for you or for your unit or organization. To explore further please contact Ranjeeta Basu at rbasu@csusm.edu

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