Sept 12: Centering in Jesus w/ Irene Kraegel

Summary

In this session, Irene Krael, the Director of the Center for Counseling and Wellness, leads a mindfulness practice centered around Christian meditation. She encourages participants to focus on their sensory experiences, be present in the moment, and find peace in Christ's invitation to rest. By guiding deep breathing and sensory awareness exercises, the practice helps participants release mental burdens, reduce stress, and connect with God. Krael also highlights mindfulness groups offered by the counseling center for those interested in further exploring these practices throughout the semester.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker, Irene Krael, is the director at the Center for Counseling and Wellness, offering centering practices for participants.
• 🧘‍♀️ Mindfulness practice is used to center oneself in Christ, which has become a tradition at the start of each semester.
• 🐑 The speaker feels like a sheep needing guidance and encourages participants to find peace in God's presence as their shepherd.
• 🧠 Mindfulness helps in becoming aware of the present moment and letting go of thoughts about the past or future.
• 🌼 There are opportunities to join mindfulness meditation groups organized by the Counseling Center, with sessions starting soon.
• 🙏 Jesus modeled mindfulness by withdrawing to quiet places to pray, and the Bible encourages stillness and contemplation.
• 💨 The mindfulness practice focuses on paying attention to the senses, such as breathing, touch, hearing, and sight.
• 👂 Participants are encouraged to notice sensory experiences without judgment, allowing thoughts and emotions to pass naturally.
• 🕊 This mindfulness practice is intended to help reduce stress and anxiety, increasing joy and connection with others, while also being spiritually significant.
• 📣 Participants are invited to visit the Counseling Center for mental health support, and all services are free.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the transcript?

The speaker is Irene Krael, the director at the Center for Counseling and Wellness.

What is the purpose of the centering practice mentioned in the transcript?

The centering practice is intended to help participants center themselves in Christ, providing a moment of mindfulness and stillness, particularly at the beginning of the academic year when people may feel overwhelmed.

How does Irene Krael describe her current state of mind?

Irene Krael describes herself as feeling frazzled, likening her state of mind to that of a sheep that is unsure where to go or what to do.

What metaphor from scripture does the speaker refer to during the centering practice?

The speaker refers to the metaphor of sheep and the idea that Christ is a shepherd who provides green pastures, symbolizing guidance and rest.

What is mindfulness, according to the speaker?

Mindfulness is described as a practice of becoming intentionally aware of the present moment, paying attention to the senses and letting go of the tendency to overthink or analyze the experience.

How does mindfulness help with mental health, according to the speaker?

The speaker mentions that mindfulness helps reduce depression and anxiety, increases a sense of connection with others, and boosts joy.

What are some sensory experiences that participants are encouraged to focus on during the practice?

Participants are encouraged to focus on their breath, the sensations of touch, hearing, sight, smell, and taste as a way to ground themselves in the present moment.

How does the speaker connect mindfulness with Christian faith?

The speaker connects mindfulness with Christian faith by referencing Christ's practice of withdrawing to quiet places for prayer and the Biblical encouragement to be still and know God. She also mentions that paying attention to sensory experiences can deepen one’s awareness of God's presence.

What resources does the Center for Counseling and Wellness offer related to mindfulness?

The Center for Counseling and Wellness offers a mindfulness meditation group, with sessions available starting next week and another starting in October. All services at the center are free.

What is the speaker's final encouragement to the participants after the practice?

The speaker encourages participants to take the stillness and centeredness they experienced during the practice with them into the rest of their day and to care for any areas of tension or discomfort they noticed during the session.