The Four Foundations of Mindfulness

By Choden

Part One Online over two weekends

27 – 28 February 2027

17 – 18 April 2027

Price: £370.00 for part one, payable in four monthly instalments of £92.50

Location: Online

Times: The course will run from 10.00am-17.00pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Booking: To book this course please click Book Here.

Part Two (dates yet to be confirmed)

The Four Foundations of Mindfulness are one of the most profound and practical teachings of the Buddhist tradition. Moreover, they are the origin of modern secular mindfulness. This unique course blends these ancient traditional roots with contemporary practice, creating a truly exciting learning experience.

For those seeking to deepen their mindfulness practice these Four Foundations are an indispensable resource that add depth and provide a wider context within which to understand how mindfulness evolved.

Far from being an abstract philosophy, the Four Foundations offer a practical approach to working with the challenges of everyday life. They allow us to develop greater resilience, reduce reactivity, and cultivate a more compassionate relationship with ourselves and others.

Whether you are new to mindfulness or looking to deepen an existing meditation practice, this course provides a structured and accessible introduction to one of the most influential teachings on awareness and contemplative practice.

Why do this course?

• It will deepen your practice of mindfulness.
• It is guided by teachers with years of experience and understanding of this teaching.
• It provides a set of invaluable tools for applying mindfulness to every aspect of your life.
• It will help reduce the habitual reactivity that underpins stress, anxiety and rumination.
• This will give you emotional balance and resilience and enable you to be more compassionate to yourself and others

What are the Four Foundations and what is their purpose?

1. Mindfulness of the Body (Kāyānupassanā)
   • Observing the body as it is.
   • Practices include awareness of breathing, posture, movements, bodily sensations, and the body’s impermanent nature.
   • Purpose: To develop grounded presence and see the body objectively rather than as “me” or “mine.”
2. Mindfulness of Feelings (Vedanānupassanā)
   • Observing feelings or feeling tones (Vedana) that arise with experience.
   • These are categorized as pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral.
   • Purpose: To notice how feelings influence reactions and cravings, helping us respond wisely instead of automatically.
3. Mindfulness of Mind (Cittānupassanā)
   • Observing the state of the mind itself.
   • For example, noticing whether the mind is calm or agitated, focused or distracted, greedy or free from greed.
   • Purpose: To recognize mental states clearly without identifying with them.
4. Mindfulness of Mental Phenomena (Dhammānupassanā)
   • Observing patterns of experience.
   • This includes noticing obstacles such as the Five Hindrances, understanding the Seven Factors of Awakening, and seeing the workings of impermanence and causality.
   • Purpose: To develop insight into how experience arises and passes away, leading to wisdom.