Course Review: ‘The Power of Awareness’ + Sounds True Discount Code

Here's an overview of what you'll learn in each lesson of the course:

• Introduction of the teachers: Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, Konda Mason, Devin Berry and Jonathan Foust
• Overview of how the course works and the resources included (Resources included: The main video lessons, additional audio guided meditations, Q&A sessions and written notes)
• Instructions for the "Community Mentoring" sessions that are included with the course as optional support.
• Bios of the community mentors.
• FAQs to help you get started with the course and to develop your meditation practice in general.

• The first module of "The Power of Awareness" introduces the basics of mindfulness, a practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgement, with an attitude of interest, friendliness and clarity.
• It provides guidance on developing a mindfulness practice, regardless of your current level or experience with meditation.
• You learn to enhance your ability to be present and enrich your everyday life experience by deepening your capacity for mindful presence.
• Note: You are given guidance and resources throughout the course on how to develop your mindfulness practice.

• Module 2 of "The Power of Awareness" focuses on teaching you how to apply mindfulness and curiosity to the body's sensations, allowing you to disconnect from distractions and feel more integrated and present.
• It explores the importance of understanding and recognizing bodily sensations for increased awareness and a sense of wholeness, especially considering how modern culture can encourage disconnection.
• The module offers strategies to manage and embrace bodily sensations with patience, compassion, friendliness and curiosity, which can help combat stress, discomfort or unhealthy habits.
• Your Mindfulness Practice: There's an introduction to mindful movement practices that can be integrated into daily life, helping you to pay more attention to your body and relax. You're encouraged to set a consistent time for daily meditation of at least ten minutes, using comfortable seating and posture, focusing on breath and bodily sensations with non-judgmental attention.

• Module 4 of "The Power of Awareness" discusses the realm of thoughts, helping you to understand their influence and how they can either drive you to thrive or trap you, depending on your awareness and management of them.
• The lessons focus on teaching you to apply mindful presence to thoughts and narratives, enabling you to liberate yourself from their limitations.
• It emphasizes the ability to 'wake up' from your thoughts by using the same observation and interest that you apply to breath, body and emotions during meditation.
• Your Mindfulness Practice: You're advised to continue using the central practice of mindfulness, focusing on any strong thoughts that arise with gentle attention and without judgement and to maintain a journal for reflection and discussion with the community.

• Module 5 of "The Power of Awareness" introduces the RAIN practice, a tool for self-compassion and cultivating calm during disruptive moments. RAIN stands for Recognize, Allow, Investigate and Nurture.
• The first lesson teaches how to use RAIN in challenging situations, thus enhancing mindfulness and compassion during difficult times.
• The second lesson focuses on the "Nurture" component of RAIN, linking self-nurturing with the practice of self-compassion.
• Your Mindfulness Practice: In addition to regular meditation, you're encouraged to try two short exercises: Light RAIN and Self-Forgiveness Scan. Light RAIN is an abbreviated form of the full practice that helps recognize emotional reactivity, while Self-Forgiveness Scan aids in identifying self-blame and promotes self-compassion.

• Module 6 of "The Power of Awareness" provides tools and practices for managing fear, trauma and loss using awareness and compassion.
• In the lesson "Finding Our Resources," you learn how to establish a sense of safety and strength in the face of traumatic experiences and overwhelming feelings, strengthening your inner resources.
• The "Fear and Freedom" lesson explores managing fear and how memories can trigger emotional states, helping you understand and confront your fears as part of your human experience.
• Your Mindfulness Practice: You are given guidance regarding how to handle any strong emotions that may arise during your meditation.
• Note: The course emphasizes that these practices are complementary to therapy or mental health services and not meant to replace them.

• Module eight of "The Power of Awareness" emphasizes the profound change we undergo when we show forgiveness and compassion to people in our lives, building on prior self-forgiveness lessons from Module Seven.
• The lesson "Forgiving Others" explores the challenge of being open-hearted without compromising your personal boundaries.
• The module examines the liberation experienced when we mend our relationship issues and close gaps between ourselves and others.
• The lesson "Holding Others in Our Hearts" encourages you to extend empathy, love and generosity beyond your immediate circle, reinforcing a sense of shared humanity and interconnectedness.
• Your Mindfulness Practice: You learn a "On-the-Spot Tonglen" exercise, a quick practice that involves acknowledging the difficulties of others and offering them love and awareness in real-world situations. This Tonglen practice also provides an opportunity for self-compassion, encouraging you to acknowledge your own resistance to pain and offering yourself relief.

• Module 9 of "The Power of Awareness" focuses on integrating mindfulness and openhearted presence into daily living, exploring how to navigate difficult moments and engage with life meaningfully.
• The lesson "Arriving in Our Lives" helps you identify ways to apply the mindfulness skills you've been cultivating to the real world and your daily routines.
• "The Negativity Bias" addresses the common tendency to focus on negative experiences, offering techniques to consciously savour the present moment and cultivate a sense of gratitude.
• Your Mindfulness Practice: Daily mindfulness practice is encouraged, incorporating exercises such as pausing throughout the day to focus on conscious breaths and sensory awareness. Other exercises include ending the day by identifying three things to be grateful for and revisiting the Light RAIN practice from Module 5 to bring fresh attention to your awareness throughout the day.

• Module 10 of "The Power of Awareness" guides you in exploring your true identity and innate goodness through mindfulness and compassion practices.
• "The One Who Knows" lesson invites you to delve into the question "Who are you?", encouraging self-inquiry and a deeper understanding of your true self.
• "Trusting Our Basic Goodness" teaches you how to cultivate and express your core benevolence, even amid life's challenges, promoting a sense of belonging and trust.
• Your Mindfulness Practice: The practice of listening with a "mind like sky" in different settings is introduced, helping you to explore how embracing spaciousness can positively influence your experiences.

• Module 12 of "The Power of Awareness" teaches how mindful compassion practices can bridge divides between individuals, reducing collective suffering and healing biases.
• In the "Bridging Divides that Imprison Our Hearts" lesson you examine your biases, helping you heal or release them and restore a sense of collective belonging.
• In the "Love in Action" lesson, you learn how grounding in mindfulness and compassion practices leads to active engagement, inner transformation and collective change.
• At this point you can continue your 30-minute daily mindfulness practice, following what feels right for you. You are encouraged to reflect on what you've learned throughout the course and how to more fully embody mindfulness and lovingkindness in your daily life.

• The Half-Day Retreat offers a deeper, three-hour block of mindful practice, distinct from your regular routine, enhancing your overall course experience.
• Preparation for the retreat includes organising a comfortable practice space with your meditation cushion or chair and a journal and pen for reflection.
• The retreat is divided into three video segments of about 45 minutes each, plus scheduled breaks and walking meditation sessions, totalling just over three hours.