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Convicts at HMP Kilmarnock were offered an eight-week course in mindfulness a Buddhist technique aimed at helping participants take notice of thoughts, feelings, body sensations and the world around you.

Experts claim that the technique is helping long-term prisoners to quit smoking.

I didnt really expect anything but the meditation has given me a better sense of well being.

Inmate

More than 70 per cent of Scotlands prisoners smoke and the Scottish Prison Service is planning to make the countrys jails completely smoke-free. It emerged that 10 long-term prisoners participated in the HMP Kilmarnock Mindfulness Group, an eight-week training course.

Pat Harris, specialist forensic physiotherapist and Heather Gillespie, smoking cessation officer, from NHS Ayrshire and Arran, presented their findings at last months Scottish Smoking Cessation Conference 2014.

They reported: Feedback from the group suggests that Mindfulness not only aids cessation, but prepares and provides contemplators of quitting the skills to approach abstinence and the skills to maintain this.

The eight-week course explored topics including thoughts, emotions and loving kindness and helped inmates deal with tobacco cravings.

After completing the course, one inmate said: I didnt really expect anything but the meditation has given me a better sense of well being."

Read more:
Convicts get meditation lessons to help them quit smoking

Meditation: Corvallis Zen Circle will offer an introduction to Zen meditation and orientation to practice at 9 a.m. Sunday at Yoga Center of Corvallis, 111 N.W. Second St.

Participants can stay for the regular Sunday service that follows from 10 a.m. to noon. Information: http://www.corvalliszencircle.com.

Sermon: For the Good of All: Kwanzaa in African-American Culture is the title of a sermon to be given at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis, 2945 N.W. Circle Blvd.

Kwanzaa emphasizes working for the strength of community and the common good.

Devotions and discussion: Bahai devotions will take place at 10 a.m. Sunday at 5006 S.W. Hollyhock Circle in Corvallis.

The program, The Honor Allotted to Humanity, will be a shared reading of selected Bahai texts, prayers and discussion of the Divine Center of unity for all humankind.

Taiz prayer: The Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, 333 N.W. 35th St. in Corvallis, will host a contemplative ecumenical Taiz worship service with singing and prayers at 7 p.m. Sunday.

The monthly event, sponsored by the Corvallis Taiz Ensemble, is open to all. Further information is available at 541-753-7622.

Class: The Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan will offer a class, The Power of Words, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. four Fridays, starting Jan. 9.

Participants will explore the power of words, using Brene Browns materials on shame and vulnerability; and practice life-giving tools and fellowship.

Follow this link:
Religion Calendar (Jan. 3)