The Doing Grief Community Healing Project and the Life-Long Learning team at Church of the Palms will offer contemplative prayer and meditation programs for participants to explore a variety of prayer and meditation styles 3 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 2 and 9.

Research indicates that such mindfulness practices can heal the pain of grief, provide peace of mind and relieve stress and anxiety. Rev. Mark Makowski, who will co-lead the Oct. 2 session, commented, “Throughout my life, I have often sat in meditation alone and with others. The results are always the same: a calming of the mind and heart. I set aside my worries and cares.”

On Oct. 2, Makowski and multi-faith spiritual director Shea Darian will guide participants in the practices of centering prayer/silent meditation, the Buddhist practice of lovingkindness meditation and Taizé worship, a meditative Christian worship style that includes repetitions of silence, simple songs and scripture readings in a candlelit environment.

On Oct. 9, Darian will guide participants in simple movement prayers, Lectio Divina (meditating on sacred readings), breathing practices and using prayer beads created and donated by Sun City resident Suzanne DeCroix. Interfaith-interspiritual minister Lynette Turner will offer sound healing–designed to produce deep relaxation as the sound and vibrations work in tandem to calm the mind and body.

“Meditation has been a fundamental part of my life for many years,” Turner remarked, “It heightens my self-awareness and has been a profound way to practice mindfulness. If you can embrace the idea that meditation is deeply personal and there is no wrong way to meditate, it can have a deeply positive impact.”

No experience is necessary to attend. Life-long practitioners and complete beginners are welcome.

“I learned a basic meditation practice almost 50 years ago that involved breathing practices and mind quieting exercises. This practice has stood me in good stead over the years, but I’m looking forward to learning a wider scope of prayer & meditation practices with Rev. Shea and the others,” said Martin Meadows, chair of the Life-Long Learning team at Church of the Palms who helped plan the sessions.

Doing Grief Community Healing Project programs are for those of all faiths and philosophies, or none. Visit DoingGrief.org for more details on fall programs, including “Mourning Light Café” grief education series with Darian, a grief theorist and educator; “Story Circle Small Group” with Rev. Susan Princehouse, beginning Wednesday, Oct. 2; and “Healing with Wood Chip Carving” with Rev. Ray Larson Oct. 5.

The Healing Project is located at the Interfaith Chapel for Healing–Church of the Palms, 14808 N. Boswell Blvd. RSVP at 602-315-8480, Connect@DoingGrief.com, or fill out the RSVP form at DoingGrief.org. A suggested donation can be made online or at the door. All are welcome regardless of an ability to pay.