Mindfulness Based Addiction Recovery (MBAR)

Mindfulness Based Addiction Recovery (MBAR): A Mindful Approach For Working With Addictions

This online course begins Dec 11 (originall was Dec 4), and includes 28 daily emails, plus an online discussion group and live Zoom calls with the instructor. It ends on Jan 6.

Mindfulness Based Addiction Recovery MBAR is a secular mindfulness-based approach to promoting recovery from addiction and understanding relapse. Originally called mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP), we decided to focus on building Recovery Capital, which is internal and external resources that can promote harm reduction, abstinence and sobriety of mind. The course was developed by Dr. Paramabandhu Groves in collaboration with Dr Valerie Mason-John M.A. (hon. doc.)

MBAR is a secular Mindfulness Course for anyone who has behaviour that is substance-related or not, that brings temporary pleasure or relief. Or where one craves, acts out of the craving, and is unable to stop despite negative consequences. This course is also for professionals working in the field of addiction, and who would like to understand addiction through the Mindfulness lens, and may want to go onto do MBAR, the train the trainer course that is delivered internationally

Every day there will be a pre-recorded session and either a meditation or suggested exercises to do at home. These will be emailed to you daily for 28 days.

Vimalasara will also conduct two Zoom call webinars. Times to be announced.

There will also be a Facebook Group where you can interact with each other, ask questions, and Valerie Mason-John, aka Vimalasara, will do her best to answer.

Course benefits

• Prerecorded sessions that you can download and keep
• Guided Meditations that you can download and keep
• Practice sheets to help explore pleasant and unpleasant events
• Learn to distinguish between thoughts and facts
• Learn to distinguish between thoughts and feelings
• Understand the vicious cycle of addiction
• Understand early warning signs in the body
• How to work with relapse
• Become more aware of the body, thoughts and feelings

Course format

Signing up for this event gives you access to:

• 28 daily emails with prerecorded sessions, meditations, practice suggestions, coaching and inspiration
• Access to four guided meditations
• Access to over 12 prerecorded sessions on aspects of addiction and recovery
• Support, encouragement, and personal instruction in our welcoming and friendly online community
• This event is for those who are at any stage of their recovery, or for professionals in the field wanting to understand how to begin to incorporate mindfulness into their work practice
• Two class Zoom calls, at a time to be determined.

About the instructor

The course will be delivered by Valerie Mason-John (Hon. Doc.), an award-winning author of eight books, including Eight Step Recovery – Using the Buddha’s Teaching to Overcome Addiction and Detox Your Heart – Meditations on Emotional Trauma. She is one of the leading African-descent voices on mindfulness and addiction.

She is also the Chair of Vancouver Buddhist Centre and has pioneered Recovery Mondays in the city of Vancouver, and across the USA and UK. She regularly leads retreats for the twelve step community and other recovery communities in Canada. She has been in recovery from bulimia, anorexia nervosa, and recreational substances for many years and has lived a clean and sober life since 2002. She recovered by using meditation and diligently worked a mindfulness recovery programme. She is also a regular blogger for Wildmind.

Endorsements

“Vimalasara Mason-John is one of the most profound teachers of our time. She leads her studies with love, compassion and lived experience. Her teachings will change the way you see and treat yourself and other living beings.” ~Addictions worker and in recovery

Was lucky enough to attend The MBAR course with Vimalasara. An empowering experience on many levels. Chance to get to grips with theory personal practice. Essential tools for those recovering from or working with addiction. Also for those of us working in the field at risk of burnout a chance to reframe our experience and find an anchor to help others from. ~Dr Neil Stephenson, a medical doctor running an addiction clinic in Norway.

“This fascinating course led by Vimalasara gave us a great insight, on both a practical and theoretical level, of the various ways in which mindfulness techniques can be used to help others recover from addiction – and more importantly stay in recovery. I would highly recommend it to any professional working in the healthcare or substance misuse field.” ~Liam Watson (MSc, BSc (Hons), PGDip), Director, Drugstraining.com

Scholarships are available

A limited number of scholarships are available for those who would like to participate but are unable to make a full donation. If you would like to take advantage of one of these reduced cost scholarships, please use the sidebar link to contact the event organizer.