The Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation course in Orewa includes four one-hour classes with certified mindfulness teacher, Wimal Wickramasuriya, downloadable guided mindfulness meditations and a 45-page guidebook and a money back guarantee.

“I am so glad I did the course and would recommend it to everyone.” — Rosie Smith

“Since doing this course, I have been sleeping much better, I feel much more in control of my emotions, I have enjoyed ‘noticing’ my own state, but also it has transferred to everything around. This means I am re-enjoying many things that I had been taking for granted.” — Sandy Good

Wimal (Wim) Wickramasuriya was born into an Eastern Buddhist culture in Sri Lanka and moved to New Zealand as a teenager to begin a life of Western culture at Gisborne Boys High in the east coast of the North Island. The cultural difference has made the blend of East meeting the West a cognitive experience as he progressed through life within the engineering field, real estate selling and owning a business. So much was misunderstood and miscommunicated along the way. Difficult work life, family life & health issues prevailed. The innate being was constantly challenged. Teachers appeared, practice became ritual and Wimal was drawn into Mindfulness as a rich basis to live life fully and be more “in-tune” with himself and others. Attending to life with more self compassion and gentleness…. to develop a greater sense of awareness and manage stressful and anxious situations using mindfulness as a tool.

Mindfulness practice has transformed the way Wimal lives his life now knowing this is another journey beginning. He is excited to facilitate this enriching wisdom so others can cultivate their own experiences and see life through “new eyes” and have a better appreciation of life and living – a new life skill. Wimal has three daughters and two granddaughters.

“Wim’s mindfulness sessions have a welcoming presence where new people easily fit right in and
it doesn’t matter what level they’re at or situation they’re in. His gentle confidence draws calmness and quietness into the group to give restfulness from the incessant mind chatter and from the busy-ness of overwhelming thought activity.

Wim skilfully guides you into the blissful presence and gives us tools so that we can easily do it
for ourselves, anywhere, anytime.”

Lorraine

“I have found Wimal excellent to work with and was immediately made comfortable and soon appreciated his knowledge of the Mindfulness programme and he displays a real empathy to his subject.”

David Dash

“Wimal takes great care in his work with groups to ensure an optimal experience for all. He is my first choice for covering groups as I know I can rely on him to stay consistent with the material covered in the course and also to align his teaching style to suit with my own individual ways of running the groups so that there is a smooth flow from week to week for the group participants.”

Vikki Baird – Registered Counselling Psychologist

“Wimal expertly leads the participants deeper into the practice. Each session building on the previous. Wimal intuitively meets the needs of the group to lift them to the next level and integrate the practice in their daily lives.

He teaches us tools and offers resources we can use at home and work that has improved the quality of my
life immensely. My life is once again filled with peace, joy and pleasure.”

Julie Balfour

“Thank goodness I came across Mindfulness Works. I have learnt so much in a year and am the happiest, authentic and content I have ever been. Learning acceptance without judgement as been an eye opener for me. I’m continuing my journey of self compassion and feel excited and hopeful for my future, but am grateful of the now and who I am today…” — Rebecca Young

“I feel calmer. I am able to use techniques when my triggers go off. Using the meditation at night has allowed me to get a better night’s sleep.” — Sue Mathew

Week 1: What is Mindfulness?

• What mindfulness is
• The benefits of mindfulness and meditation
• How to get the most from the course
• Guided body scan mindfulness meditation
• Questions and answers / discussion.

Week 2: Working with the Mind

• Why thinking can be problematical
• Practical ways to work with difficult thoughts
• Self-judgement and how to intervene
• Guided mindfulness meditation – counting the breath
• Questions and answers / discussion.

Week 3: Working with Emotions

• What are emotions?
• Learning to feel emotions
• The RAIN method
• Non-judgement and acceptance
• Guided mindfulness meditation on feelings
• Questions and answers / discussion.

Week 4: Radical Acceptance

• What it means to be present
• How wanting causes stress
• Developing wisdom and insight
• Authentic self-compassion
• Open awareness guided mindfulness meditation
• Questions and answers / discussion
• Next steps.

“Using mindfulness to help me better manage unrelenting anxiety, obsessive worrying & sadness. I have found that using the apps is helpful when having a stressful day, & I intend to keep practicing daily. Thank you.” — Cecily Wilson

Every participant on the Mindfulness Works Introduction to Mindfulness 4-week Course receives a free 4-week gift subscription to the award-winning Calm mindfulness and meditation app (premium version). This app was the Apple app of the year for 2017.

Meditate Learn the life-changing skill of meditation.

Sleep Get more restful sleep and wake up feeling refreshed.

Masterclass Audio programs taught by world-renowned mindfulness experts.

You are your own authority: Noone owns mindfulness. Mindfulness Works teachers emphasise the importance of participants trusting their own experience and authority.

Self-love as a cornerstone of practice: Our mindfulness training always starts from a place of people being OK, and not needing fixing. We seek to have you realise this in their own lives on the basis of their own experience. We see mindfulness and meditation as a practice that facilitates self-love, self-forgiveness and self-acceptance.

No religion or dogma: Mindfulness is a living practice, is not owned by anyone and is available to everyone. Ultimately everyone is their own teacher, learning from their own practice and experience. Mindfulness Works is not affiliated with any religion or dogma and does not explicitly or implicitly offer these.

Mindfulness and Meditation are experiential: Our training emphasises the experiential nature of mindfulness and meditation.

Mindfulness and meditation are creative processes: Just as life evolves, so to does mindfulness and meditation. There is nothing fixed about the meditative or mindfulness experience. In recognition of this, we seek to explore and offer mindfulness and meditation in a way that is informed by our own lives and our present moment experience.

Trauma informed practice: Creating a safe environment for all participants is critical. We ensure our trainers and offerings are trauma informed.

“Huge reduction in anxiety, calmness of mind and body and empowerment over my symptoms.” — Jo Kirwan

“The course was very relaxed and friendly, and full of useful practical advice that recognised the limits to time that everyone faces. Also I liked the mix of people attending, with a range of different reasons for being there.” — Rosie Cree

“Since doing this course, I have been sleeping much better, I feel much more in control of my emotions, I have enjoyed ‘noticing’ my own state, but also it has transferred to everything around. This means I am re-enjoying many things that I had been taking for granted.” — Sandy Good

“The course guidebook was a useful guide and very informative. I also enjoyed the formal practice and the way different strategies were explained.” — Linda Daniell

Refund and Transfer Policy

• Full refunds are available up to one week before a course starts.
• Free transfers to other courses are available up to one week before a course starts.
• Once a course has started, full refunds are only available if you attend every class of the course and feel you have not got value. In this case you are entitled to and will be given a full refund.
• Refunds are not given if you do not attend every class of the course and if you simply ‘do not like’ the course or decide ‘it is not for you’.
• For more details about our refund and transfer policy, please read our FAQ.

How long is each weekly class and what happens?

Each class is one hour long. There will be a guided meditation for a period. This will include meditation instruction. After the meditation and instruction, there will be a talk or discussion. This includes a question and answer time.

Who is it suitable for?

This course is suitable for any of the following:

• 18-year-olds and over
• Beginners
• People who have never meditated or practised mindfulness before
• People who have just started meditating or practising mindfulness.