Course Overview
P
ain is incredibly complex. When we have physical pain, particularly persistent or chronic pain, it is human nature to experience this as a tight “tangled knot” along with the emotional pain it causes and the thoughts and stories about it. This can make the pain much bigger and harder to deal with than it needs to be.
Mindfulness can help those of us who suffer from chronic pain by teaching us how to better direct attention and gradually disentangle these thoughts, emotions and physical sensations. Then we can use mindfulness and self compassion to really change our relationship to these difficult experiences.
MBSR is frequently helpful for pain relief. From Pain to Peace, Practice and Science for Living Well has been modified for Openground by Dr Adele Stewart and Tim Goddard with customised meditations, a mid-session break and explorations particularly suitable for those living with chronic pain. Each session includes segments of modern pain neuroscience with plenty of time for questions.
Dealing with pain
P
hysical pain is normal for humans and its basic purpose is to signal possible physical harm. Our natural response with acute pain is to immediately slow down, rest and restrict our movements. This is usually a good thing. Medications or being still can help with acute pain. Sometimes pain can become more ongoing and chronic. When this happens, our whole system can become more sensitised. The body and brain turns on our protective mechanism – pain – in order to protect us from doing harm. And this protective high sensitivity can be hard to turn off. It can start reacting to other threats – including situations, thoughts and emotions. It is like our protective dial is stuck on high. Our system can be confused about whether the body is signalling harm or if it just hurts. Either way it is real. Felt pain is never imaginary. It can be of great benefit to begin exploring how some pain hurts but perhaps is causing no harm. Only you can know and only you can do this exploration. Wise mindfulness also helps build our resources which can further soothe our nervous system and make our whole system feel more safe. This in turn can help us better manage and sometimes reduce the pain.
Meditation experience is not necessary to participate in Pain to Peace. All are welcome!
Course Schedule
DATES AND TIMES
8 week live online course including a half day retreat
TERM 1 2025
Tuesday 4th February 2025 4.30-7pm
Tuesday 11th February 2025 4.30-7pm
Tuesday 18th February 2025 4.30-7pm
Tuesday 25th February 2025 4.30-7pm
Tuesday 4th March 2025 4.30-7pm
Tuesday 11th March 2025 4.30-7pm
Saturday 15th March 2025 9am-1pm HALF DAY RETREAT
Tuesday 18th March 2025 4.30-7pm
Tuesday 25th March 2025 4.30-7pm
TERM 4 2025
Saturday 11th October 2025 2-4.30pm
Saturday 18th October 2025 2-4.30pm
Saturday 25th October 2025 2-4.30pm
Saturday 1st November 2025 2-4.30pm
Saturday 8th November 2025 2-4.30pm
NO SESSION Saturday 15th November
Saturday 22nd November 2025 2-4.30pm
Sunday 30th November 2025 9am-1pm HALF DAY RETREAT
Saturday 6th December 2025 2-4.30pm
Saturday 13th December 2025 2-4.30pm
Contact Adele
Especially if you’d like to discuss whether the course would be suitable for you.
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To be kept informed about Mindfulness & Explain Pain offerings (3-4 emails per year)
Course Fees
Choose What You Pay – Support Yourself & Others
Our pricing is designed to balance generosity and accessibility. Please choose the amount that best fits your situation, knowing that every contribution helps sustain our mission. If you have some financial security: that is a job, some assets (savings, shares, property) and/or superannuation income we ask you to pay your way (with a payment plan if needed).
💛 Pay It Forward – $795
I’m in a position to give more and want to help others access this experience.
💙 Standard Rate – $695
Covers the true cost of the program—thank you for your support!
💚 Community Rate – $495
I need some support, but I’m happy to contribute what I can.
💜 Accessible Rate – $250
I could use a little extra help right now—grateful for this opportunity.
No one is turned away for lack of funds. If you need further assistance, reach out to us!
Course Attendance
Pain to Peace is run over 8 weekly online sessions of 2.5 hours with a 5 minute mid way break. There is also a half day retreat online. You will gain most out of the course by attending all sessions and committing to 20 minutes twice daily home practice daily. The Zoom sessions are usually recorded, accessible for the group participants only.
See below for scheduled dates and times.
Dates
TERM 4 2025
Saturday 11th October 2025 2-4.30pm
Saturday 18th October 2025 2-4.30pm
Saturday 25th October 2025 2-4.30pm
Saturday 1st November 2025 2-4.30pm
Saturday 8th November 2025 2-4.30pm
NO SESSION Saturday 15th November
Saturday 22nd November 2025 2-4.30pm
Sunday 30th November 2025 9am-1pm HALF DAY RETREAT
Saturday 6th December 2025 2-4.30pm
Saturday 13th December 2025 2-4.30pm