This past weekend, a group of people came together to explore unconditional kindness towards ones self. The day was rich with courage, authenticity, vulnerability and empowerment. It was an honor to witness the hearts and minds of all who attended. –devon-

A few words from participants:

” Devon, Thanks for embodying, the strong back and open heart.”

“This retreat was a wonderful gift.”

“Devon, thank you for a day of cleansing tears, practical tools, and pure acceptance.”

Last week I taught mindfulness to a group of 4th year medical students at the University of New Mexico.

Dr. Elizabeth Lawrence invited me to co-teach with her and introduce experiential mindfulness exercises, discussion, and awareness strategies to help maintain physician wellness.

The students were in their 4th year of medical school. They are in the midst of doing rotations in Ambulatory Care, Outpatient Clinics, Homeless Shelters, Community Work and a variety of other areas of healthcare. These individuals are working hard to make a positive impact in their communities.

I was honored to be a part of this focus on keeping those who care for us, well and inspired.

I have been invited back for another round next month. I look forward to it!

“I approached Devon to help me teach a wellness seminar to fourth year medical students.  I was immediately impressed by how well she understood the importance of doctors and medical trainees taking care of themselves in order to provide excellent patient care.  She created an original presentation for the students that reminded them of why they entered medical school and the meaning they find in their work.  I am inspired by her creativity, dedication, and excellent teaching.  Thanks, Devon.”

Liz Lawrence, MD, FACP
Director of Physician Wellness, UNM School of Medicine

On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of leading a day long retreat for the executive staff of Project ECHO. It was a day of insight, connection, mindfulness, meditation and BIG View. I was inspired by the ECHO team as they openly shared their wish to serve others and make excellent medical care available to all of those in need on a global level.

Mindful Leadership was explored in depth through discussion, meditation, experiential exercises and mindfulness practices. The wisdom and integrity of the group was ever present.

Thank you to all who were present and to all of the other staff at Project ECHO for your incredible work, inspiration and generosity.

“Thank you Devon! It was so wonderful to spend the day together as a team. You helped us to clarify and reconfirm our values, think through our strengths and challenges, and learn to care for ourselves through mindfulness and meditation.” Miriam Komaromy, Associate Director, Project ECHO

Launched in 2003, the ECHO model™ makes specialized medical knowledge accessible wherever it is needed to save and improve people’s lives. By putting local clinicians together with specialist teams at academic medical centers in weekly virtual clinics or teleECHO™ clinics, Project ECHO shares knowledge and expands treatment capacity. The result: better care for more people.

Greetings,

I hope you are well and that life is bringing you joy. I will be teaching another retreat here at the Mindfulness for Humanity Retreat Space and it would be great to see you if you would like to partake. In the meantime, take good care. devon

Please join us for a day long Mindfulness and Meditation Retreat 

Saturday, September 19^th from 9am to 4pm

Open to Everyone        

SELF COMPASSION                  

In honoring our own humanness and wisdom, we can move through life in a kinder and more compassionate way.

During this retreat we will explore ways to broaden our view, be more gentle toward  ourselves and use humor to lighten up and celebrate who we are as individuals.

The day will include meditation instruction and practice, mindfulness techniques, discussion and experiential exercises.

Please bring a sack lunch and water bottle. Tea and snacks will be provided.

Cost: $75 for the day.   Early bird: $65 if received by 9/5/15

To register please call devon at 890-1464 or email devon@mindfulnessforhumanity.com

Last Saturday the retreat space at Mindfulness for Humanity was filled with people eager to learn more about mindfulness and meditation. Everyone came to attend the one day retreat entitled “A Day to Pause”.

It was a great day of learning, discovering and pausing. We worked with our minds through sitting and walking meditation and engaged in mindfulness through experiencing our surroundings, nature and ourselves.

I so enjoyed teaching this group and loved the group dynamics of openness, respect and humor. My heartfelt thank you to all who attended. It was a beautiful and enriching experience!                    ~~~devon~~~

“Devon is such a caring and attentive teacher.  She was very present for each of the participants, really tuned in and gave each of us thoughtful and caring words.  She did such a nice job of teaching us, giving us space and time to practice, and then helping us really figure out how to bring practice into our lives.  Thank you Devon for a beautiful day!”   ~Julie Rosen~

“What a nourishing, re-centering retreat day!  Devon led our diverse group through simple and meaningful activities to explore meditation and mindfulness at many levels.  Her presence is compassionate, wise, and friendly all at the same time– which created a safe space for us to openly share experiences and learn from each other.  I so enjoyed the good company, and I come away with new tools and inspiration to engage my life with intention.  I look forward to returning to the beautiful meeting space and outdoor garden too!  I’m so glad I gave myself the gift of this retreat to pause and remember what’s important.”   ~Melanie Weidner~

“Devon, the day flew by! I felt safe and right being there.” ~Jo Carter Yount~

Saturday, June 27th from 9am until 4pm

With our busy lives and numerous responsibilities, it is important to pause, reflect, refuel and celebrate in the richness of life.This retreat will provide a place to do just that. Please join us for this “day to pause”.

The retreat will include meditation instruction and practice and teachings on mindfulness and how to incorporate it into our lives. Through experiential mindfulness practices, we will explore nature and the outdoors, movement and our own strength and wisdom.

Please bring a sack lunch, we will be eating outdoors under the shade of a giant tree. Coffee, tea, muffins and snacks will be provided.

Devon Finnegan of Mindfulness for Humanity has been practicing Hakomi Therapy (mindfulness based psychotherapy) for 15 years. She was the founder of a meditation center in Albuquerque and served as director for 10 years. She is currently working with healthcare professionals, teaching mindfulness and meditation to support their well being and help them to offer a high quality of care to their patients. She also works with people who have chronic and/or terminal illnesses. Devon feels passionate about teaching people how to work with their minds in order to relieve stress, cope with difficulties, experience the beauty in life and give us a vehicle in which we can truly connect with ourselves and others.

Cost: $75 for the day/ $65 if you register & payment is received on or before June 16th. Location: Mindfulness for Humanity Retreat Center: 501 Calle del Pajarito NW, Los Ranchos, NM

To register, please call devon at 890-1464 or email devon@mindfulnessforhumanity.com

It was an incredible day!

At  9am a parade of people arrived at my house (retreat center) carrying trays of veggies, fruits, cookies, cupcakes and a big pot of strong coffee! One smiling face after another with “Good mornings” and “I love this place!” After a little wandering around the outdoor space and a little coffee consumption we began the retreat.

I had been asked by Courtney Lewis, the Founder and Director of Small Steps to lead the annual staff retreat for 20 plus counselors and administrators. The retreat was a mixture of mindfulness and meditation practices, boundary work, exploring personal strengths and challenges and how they bridge together, as well as rejuvenation and celebration.

This group of people was an absolute delight to work with. There is a cohesiveness and respect within the group that is rare and quite beautiful. Everyone participated fully and there was no shortage of tears and laughter.

Thank you to all who attended this retreat. I feel honored to have had the experience!

“The space you provide, the home you invite us into, and the warmth of your guidance really allowed for our group to find mindfulness, rejuvenation and joy with one another.” Leandra Lomosad, LMHC

“When I showed up to Devon’s workshop, my energy was low. I felt zapped.After the day, I’m leaving with joy, lighthearted renewed focus on being present. Much Gratitude”, Cathann Dragone, MA, LPCC 

“Both Grounding and Inspiring….Truly allowed me to recognize my own contributions and my colleagues contributions.”, Meg

“Inspirational, fun, heartfelt, time for reflection and showing appreciation. Thank you”, Katie Riley, Admin.

“This workshop exceeded my expectations. Insight mixed with gentle validation. Love delight in the moment” Cheryl Monks, MA, LPCC, RPT

“Devon has created a lovely and intimate space to reflect and learn. Thank you Devon!”, Julie Pierce, Admin.

“The retreat was more than expected…wonderful experience to help ground myself, be mindful of the present moment , allowing me to have insight.” Cheryl Benedetto

“Devon provided an amazing healing and nurturing space. Her heart was so open to our group and we felt so cared for.” Courtney Lewis, Small Steps Clinical Director

The counselor’s classroom at Alvarado Elementary was packed! 50 ten and eleven year old students gathered on the floor in a semi-circle, six people deep. I was invited to speak with these 5th graders about mindfulness.This was a very engaged group, with no shortage of curiosity and questions.

We discussed the power of our minds and how what we think directly affects the way we feel. We practiced mindfulness exercises, including slowing down the process of eating a single grape and all of the sensory discoveries made in that small amount of time. The classroom went from high energy, to calm, to a felt sense of discovery.

Toward the end of the class, nature gifted us with a swift, strong rainstorm. We were able to slow down, feel the cool wind pouring through the open door, smell the strong scent of rain and be silent all together as a group, so we could hear the rain on the roof. It was nature’s gift to us. We were able to apply everything we had just discussed, in order to have a full and rich experience of life itself.

“Your talk today was very interesting and inspiring.The mindfulness exercises we did were very fun, and we learned helpful techniques to be mindful and aware in the world.You make me want to work with the same kinds of people as you do.”  -Student at Alvarado-

” On Monday April 20th, Ms. Devon Finnegan, parent to a 5th grader at our school kept fifty 5th graders mesmerized by sharing with them her own story leading to her present career as a Mindfulness Teacher/Counselor. Devon very skillfully walked the students through activities that familiarized the students with a Mindful state of mind and being, teaching them a few skills that will help them stay in “the here and now” and mindful of the present. These included mindful breathing, imagery and exercise in tasting a grape mindfuly as way to get the most out of the experience of chewing on a grape. Devon was able to keep the students engaged and attentive. I am confident they all walked away with looking at chewing a grape in a whole new way…..”

“Thanks Devon for your time and sharing your story and wisdom.”

 Behjat Shirazi MA, LPCC

Professional School Counselor

Alvarado Elementary School

As I walked into the Hospitality Room at The Flying Star where I was to teach, I was met with a room full of open, friendly faces. I had been invited to teach mindfulness and meditation to people who who are living with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy or Corticobasal Degeneration and their caretakers and loved ones. PSP and CBD are neurodegenerative brain diseases causing a myriad of physical challenges for those who have the disease and emotional challenges for all involved.

It was an honor to work with this group. The room was full of love, wakefulness and wisdom. People spoke openly of their pains, struggles and fears while they held firmly to the supportive energy that this support group has created for them. I was struck by the level of authenticity, courage and humor. The teaching, discussion and connection were a delight. A big thank you to all who were present and to the founder of the group, Roxi Padrid. When we come together, we find breath.

“Devon Finnegan is an inspirational person and teacher.  I am a support group facilitator in the Albuquerque area for patients and loved ones living with neurodegenerative diseases. We were lucky enough to have Devon present to our group and guide us through some mindfulness exercises. Her soothing and serene manner created a safe environment in which we could express our fears and discuss our struggles. We are traveling a difficult road and Devon helped us focus on our awareness and what we have today, rather than dwell on what may happen in the future.  She is truly a gifted teacher and we were all very grateful for the time we spent with her.”   -Roxi Padrid-