Mindful Stories To Awaken Presence - by Derek Hill

COURSE

Mindful Stories To Awaken Presence

With Derek Hill

Over the next 3 days of this new series, we'll discover our first 3 stories of mindfulness to awaken presence. From famous Zen tales to to lessons from Native American folklore, we'll take our first steps together through the ages. And together, through the lens of these traditions and philosophical insights, we'll share simple modern day references, personal stories, meditation practices and moments of reflection to bring them to life. We'll share the story of: 1) ""The Empty Cup"" and the benefits of bringing a more open and curious attitude towards life and learning. 2) ""The Two Wolves"" learning to bring more balanced awareness to the emotional struggles in our heart. 3) ""The Mountain Stream"" where we learn to bring a deeper listening presence more often in life. This course is ideal: - If you are enjoy exploring meaning-filled stories and insights from around the world - If you enjoy finding deeper personal meaning through moments of quiet reflection - If you are looking for more creative ways to connect with a mindfulness practice - If you are looking for pocket sized place of calm to feel more connected It will place of calm you can return to any time. As we share our Mindful Stories to Awaken Presence I look forward to meeting you on Day 1.


Meet your Teacher

Derek Hill believes in creating opportunities for genuine connection, with ourselves, nature, and each other. Supporting people to look inwardly, with self-compassion - helping them uncover their inner resources for self-support and purposeful direction in life. He is a mindfulness and compassion teacher, speaker, and coach, accredited by Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB). He teaches 4 to 8-week courses, including Jon Kabat-Zinn's gold standard "Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction." He works with individuals, groups, and organizations to inspire greater happiness, health, and human connection in life and work. Derek's course ‘Waves of Connection’ was drawn from both his teaching qualifications, as well his own personal life and professional experiences. He has coached and mentored people for 20 years in high-stress corporate environments, as well as purpose-driven ‘technology for good’ organizations like JustGiving and Farewill, where he spent many wonderful years working with not-for-profit organizations. Derek is sincerely committed to helping others realize their potential, creativity, and fundamental connection to self, others, and the universe. Derek moved to London from his hometown in Dublin. His early life in Ireland colored so much of what he has learned throughout life. Having graduated in creative writing, he always found great inspiration in the books of others, whether fictional, philosophical, or those challenging conventions. Throughout his professional career, where he enjoyed the highs and lows of working abroad, growing businesses, and making a purposeful impact, there was always a pull towards the traditions and philosophies, which inspire his work today. A few life-changing events and an ever-growing personal commitment to meditation practice, finally nudged him to retrain as a mindfulness and compassion teacher, picking up a CPCAB accredited Level 4 qualification, as well as training to teach Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. Derek then redesigned his life around a passion and purpose, so he could sustainably support his health and well-being and that of his family. He founded his company Waking Waves to make this possible and is now on his own mindful mission to share the benefits of mindfulness and compassion with others, so they can too!

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3 Days

257 students

4.8 stars

17 min / day

Presence

English


Lesson 1

The Empty Cup

In Day 1, we share why stories, tales and parables hold such deep meaning and significance in our societies, communities and relationships. And with an open and curious beginner's mind we'll share our first Zen tale together 'The Empty Cup' Then together we'll share a grounding practice giving us a space to reflect on it's meaning and the value of leaving our expertise at the door.

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Lesson 2

The Two Wolves

In Day 2, I share a personal story of how we sometimes harbour unhealthy feelings or emotions in our heart, despite knowing they hurt us equally. Then through the story of "The Two Wolves" and a Mindfulness of Emotions practice, we allow space for difficulties to arise. And taking insight from this Native American tale and our prehistory, we appreciate how a balanced emotional awareness is crucial for our wellbeing and relationships. And how both wolves in our heart might be supported.

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Lesson 3

The Mountain Stream

In Day 3, we pause to cultivate a listening presence. And share the many ways in which we do the opposite of this, when the ego, or our desire to be knowledgeable, takes charge. Through our second Zen tale "The Mountain Stream" we learn how our quest for knowledge or wisdom often falls short, when we seek or try too hard. So together, we'll practice our listening presence with a Mindfulness of Sound practice, accepting the changing flow of life, we find right now.

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Ask your teacher

This course includes 6 community questions and 6 audio replies from Derek Hill. The community classroom and teacher audio replies are only available via the app.

6

4.8 (20)

Recent Reviews

Bouquet

May 29, 2025

Lots of wisdom from the stories but I still don’t get the 3rd one. Thanks for your narration!

Jay

Jay

July 12, 2024

I enjoyed the stories and the explanation of the stories I enjoyed listening to the stories and explanations moreso than the middle relaxation part. Perhaps a shorter relaxation at the beginning or straight after the story, but either more stories to be included, or more time spent on the explanation of the stories Although the sound and breath mindfulness part was a bit different Thank you for the reflection on these stories

STEPHANIE

STEPHANIE

June 16, 2024

Thanks a lot for this course. I am currently writing my life vision as a story, as I know it could inspire more people. I won't tell what I am about to share here, inspired by the 3rd story. Before starting meditation and personal development especially through Insight Timer courses, I used to be threatened by noise. It was very tough for me to bear group conversations or noisy people in nature. My ears were only attracted by the "bad" noise, the one disturbing me. I started meditation in 2020. I am now able to find the balance between natural noise and human activity noise. This last one does not disturb me anymore since I am able to conciously focus on all incoming noises. I did the last meditation from my balcony over my orchard. I had several groups of birds, the different sounds of wind in the different groups of trees, in my ears, around my body, the conversation of the nearest neighbors, sometimes the sound of a far car or even a plane, the roosters, the noise of my dog relaxing close to me, etc. I am more and more aware of all the sounds and it even helped me to overcome tinnitus and correct earing. It is also reinforced by my work on uplifting positive thoughts. Actually, they reinforce each other!

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