Mindful IN MoCo

08/28/2026

Starting soon: Two free mindfulness programs this fall!

In September, we will be starting another round of our Healthy Minds program, which will explore the use of a free mindfulness app developed by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

And, our next 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction course will start on Monday, September 14th (and run through November 9th).

Both programs are perfect for anyone who has been interested in developing a consistent mindfulness practice, and for more details, please see our new post (see the link below)!

Join us for our fall mindfulness programs in Montgomery County, Indiana.

08/26/2026

On September 12th (Saturday, 1-3:30pm), we will be holding a free workshop on Zen meditation and practice at Quest For Balance Wellness in Crawfordsville. This event will be of interest to people who are new to Zen meditation, or to those who want to connect with Zen groups in our region.

On Saturday, we'll give a general introduction to the basics of Soto Zen with a focus on Zen practice in the style of the Sanshin Zen Community in Bloomington, and spend some time exploring sitting and walking meditation.

To register for this free event, please use this link: https://jaimiranda.offeringtree.com/schedule/6b023ac6-4a8e-4b47-a0c9-5af27b3bb668_1789232400

06/22/2026

This summer, we are exploring the free Healthy Minds app, and I appreciated this reminder that came up after one of the practices. Often, we might expect that meditation "should" feel some kind of way.

But, instead of trying to feel relaxed or to stop thoughts, try bringing a spirit of curiousity and interest to whatever is present (during a practice, and at any point in the day).

06/05/2026

Interested in exploring yoga and mindfulness? Check out this free event next week (at the Crawfordsville Public Library:

06/04/2026

Interested in learning more about mindfulness this summer?

We are starting a new program this month, exploring the use of a free mindfulness app (Healthy Minds), created by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This free summer program is a part of a research project that Neil Schmitzer-Torbert (of the Wabash Psychology Department) is conducting to learn how to get the most out of these kinds of apps.

Over the summer, people who participate will be asked to use the Healthy Minds app daily, and we'll offer some weekly drop-in sessions (in-person in Crawfordsville, and virtually for folks out of town) to talk about mindfulness practice and working with the app.

Interested? You can learn more and get started here: https://mindfulinmoco.com/mindful-summer-26/

Ready to plant the seeds of mindfulness this summer?

05/31/2026

With the first day of June upon us, it feels like the window to add to the garden is almost closed. But, is ever too late to plant a seed of mindfulness?

This summer, we'll be starting a new free program, exploring the use of a free mindfulness app (Healthy Minds), created by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This summer program is a part of a research project that Neil Schmitzer-Torbert (of the Wabash Psychology Department) is conducting to learn how to get the most out of these kinds of apps.

Over the summer, people who participate will be asked to use the Healthy Minds app daily, and we'll offer some weekly drop-in sessions (in-person in Crawfordsville, and virtually for folks out of town) to talk about mindfulness practice and working with the app.

Interested? You can learn more on our site: https://mindfulinmoco.com/mindful-summer-26/

Image: I didn't have to plant this celandine poppy, but I did enjoy coming across it while helping pull garlic mustard out at a local land trust this spring.

Meditation and mindfulness in Montgomery County, IN

04/12/2026

[Edit: Mindful Living will not meet today, but will continue in May!]

Tomorrow, we hope you can join Jai at Quest For Balance Wellness for Mindful Living at 2pm! The drop-in Mindful Living series is a wonderful way to explore or deepen your mindfulness practice.

Our Mindful Living Series will not meet on Sunday, April 5. Join us instead on Sunday April 12 at 2pm for our practice. Mindful Living is a gathering that blends guided meditation with conversation about how mindfulness can support everyday life. Learn more and register at https://qfbwellness.com/mindful-living/

04/04/2026

This is an interesting study (but, I believe the article is behind a paywall).

Overall, this fits with what we know about the benefits of managing stress: it is no a cure-all, or a magic bullet for any difficulty in life. But, high levels of stress can aggravate many medical conditions, and many of these conditions can themselves cause stress.

Stress can have benefits: pointing our attention to potential problems, mobilizing resources to deal with challenges. But, left unchecked, long-term and excessive stress can be depleting of our resources and energy.

Being better able to notice and deal with stress can not only improve our quality of life, but can also have deep benefits for our health.

New research leveraging patient data and mouse models reveals how psychological stress can worsen atopic dermatitis, or eczema. It does so by activating a specific neural pathway that links the brain to immune responses in the skin.

The study’s authors emphasize that managing psychological stress, alongside conventional therapies, may represent an underused but potentially powerful strategy for improving outcomes in eczema.

Learn more in a new Science Perspective: https://scim.ag/4t71eus

03/28/2026

The Great Wind Zendo in Danville, IN, has provided a wonderful space for Zen practice here in central Indiana for years. So, we were disappointed when the zendo closed, but grateful that we have been able to give a home to some of their meditation cushions and benches (and one bell!).

And, we'll be making these available to anyone who joins us for our on-campus meditation groups, and likely in workshops/classes/events!

02/28/2026

Tomorrow at 2pm: the monthly Mindful Living series continues at Quest For Balance Wellness, with an exploration of what it means to live peacefully in the body - I hope you can join us!

Join us for Mindful Living this Sunday, March 1 at 2pm. Mindful Living is a monthly gathering that blends guided meditation with conversation about how mindfulness can support everyday life. Our theme for March considers what it means to peacefully inhabit the body. All are welcome, no experience necessary. Learn more and register at https://qfbwellness.com/mindful-living/