FREDERICK, Md. The Frederick Meditation Center, at 1 W. Church St., top floor, in downtown Frederick, will host Jerry Websters four-week course titled The Power of Being Present: The Four Buddhist Foundations of Mindfulness.

The course will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, June 14 to July 12. There will be no class Wednesday, July 5.

The program is open to those new to meditation and mindfulness, as well as those who already established a practice.

According to Webster, the Power of Being Present course is about being open to whatever arises in ones life on the spot. Each week, the course will focus on a different theme, starting with Mindfulness of Body and continuing with such themes as Mindfulness of Effort and Mindfulness of Mind.

Although relaxing is often one of the byproducts of Buddhist meditation, the true purpose is to be present in ones life more fully, being present on the spot rather than being riveted about according to ones hopes and fears, Webster said in a news release.

The course is inspired by Chogyam Trungpas book Mindfulness in Action: Making Friends with Yourself Through Meditation. While it is not required to read the book to participate in this course, some participants might find that the book offers good background. For those who are interested in obtaining a copy, Trungpas book is available at Curious Iguana in downtown Frederick at a discounted rate before the course begins.

Webster serves as the shastri, or head teacher, with the Shambhala Buddhist Meditation Center in Washington, D.C. He began meditation with a 10-day retreat in India with the Burmese teacher Goenka in 1974. Since 1976, he has been a student of the Shambhala Buddhist tradition, and he has taught in this tradition since 1977.

He obtained a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Maryland. He has taught numerous courses in literature for the University of Maryland and numerous courses in multiculturalism for Montgomery County Public Schools. He has taught English full time in public-school systems for 40 years, beginning with the Peace Corps in Afghanistan in 1973.

During the past year, he has led three full-day weeklong meditation weekends and numerous programs along the East Coast, including programs for Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. Peace Corps, Frederick Community College and the Frederick Meditation Center.

The cost for the whole course is $80. Those interested can reserve their space at FrederickMeditation.com or by calling 240-397-8080.

Cushions, chairs, tea and water will be provided.

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Meditation teacher offering mindfulness course - Herald-Mail Media