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
Tuesday 18th March 2025 4.30-7pm
Tuesday 25th March 2025 4.30-7pm
The enrolments link will take you to Openground to enrol.
If you are in need of a scholarship or serious discount please complete the Openground scholarship questionnaire .
Contact Adele
Especially if you’d like to discuss whether the course would be suitable for you.
Articles, videos, research, apps and more!
To be kept informed about Mindfulness & Explain Pain offerings (3-4 emails per year)
Course Fees
$695.
Once enrolments commence please don’t hesitate to fill out this Openground scholarship questionnaire if you need a scholarship or serious discount and they will be back in touch soon.
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.
2025 Dates
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
Tuesday 18th March 2025 4.30-7pm
Tuesday 25th March 2025 4.30-7pm