Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, or MBSR, is a program developed in 1979 by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and is the benchmark gold standard for the scientific exploration of mindfulness. The course introduces participants to information and practices which may help with various difficulties in their lives, including many stress related illnesses, while connecting with others on this path of learning. Experienced meditators who have not taken MBSR may also benefit from the experience of approaching mindfulness in a different way, as the paradigm and learning process is distinct from other contexts.

This is the official curriculum for MBSR that is offered across the world.

MBSR is an eight week course with a required Orientation, and includes an All Day Silent Meditation Retreat. Participants meet online once a week for live practice, learning, and sharing for about 2 1/2 hours each session, and commit to daily practice of about 45 minutes, six days per week of the program. All course materials will be available on PresentMomentMindfulness.com, and includes graphics, text content, and audio guided meditations.

In addition, participants will be able to join Practice Circle as an optional opportunity for online live practice during the program.  More information about that is on the bottom of this page.

Applications for the upcoming Summer program are now being accepted.

The online live sessions meet Saturdays during the course from 12:00 p.m. noon Eastern U.S. time to 2:30 p.m., with an additional half hour on Session 1 and Session 8. In addition, there is an All Day silent meditation retreat online live.  The dates of this program are as follows:

• Orientation -- June 30
• Session 1 -- July 7
• Session 2 -- July 14
• Session 3 -- July 21
• Session 4 -- July 28
• Session 5 -- August 4
• Session 6 -- August 11
• All Day Silent Meditation Retreat -- Sunday, August 12 -- NOTE THIS IS THE ONLY SUNDAY, all other online live sessions are on Saturdays
• Session 7 -- August 18
• Session 8 -- August 25

Note that commitment to participation in the Orientation, all live sessions, and the All Day is required to join the program.

MBSR programs typically cost in excess of $500 or more. However, this online live program is offered on a donation basis.

At the completion of the program, participants will have the opportunity to donate what they are able to comfortably give in support of the program. Contributions may allow for sustainment of future MBSR programs to be offered for others who may not have been able to attend this series.

Understanding that there is not a large up-front financial expenditure to encourage sticking with the program, participants will nonetheless be required to:

1. Attend all online live sessions, including the Orientation and All Day Silent Meditation Retreat.
2. Practice formal meditation for a minimum of 45 minutes, six days per week during the program using the guided audio meditations provided, as well as any other informal home assignments.
3. Actively participate in the live sessions, listen to the experiences of others taking the course, and share from your own experiences.
4. Complete the pre and post session surveys.

If you're considering registering for the program, please ensure you are able to fully commit to this program, as the teachers and your fellow participants are helped by your presence and dedication for the eight weeks of the program.

Please verify your availability for all the class dates and times, and that you will not have conflicts like dependent care, work, vacation over the 4th of July holiday, or other commitments you've already made prior to applying for this course!

You must be 18 years of age by the start of the program.

There is great interest in learning how to teach live online, and having the experience to add to your own skill set of delivering mindfulness programs.  We ask that if you are a mindfulness teacher interested in learning about live online delivery, please do not apply for this MBSR course.  The intention here is to provide accessible programming to those who want to take the course, and your participation would prevent someone else from having this opportunity to take MBSR.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

The Summer program can be applied for by clicking on the button below.  Note that applying is not registering, and acceptance to the program is not automatic.  You will be contacted via email within three days of your completing the application, please be sure to check your junk email folder if you do not see a response within that time frame.

Again, please do verify your availability for all live sessions and your full commitment to the program prior to applying.