JCU MINDS

🌿 Monthly Mindfulness Practice – Everyone Welcome 🌿

Start your Saturday morning with a moment of peace, presence, and connection.

Join us for our Monthly Mindfulness Practice on:

🗓️ Saturday, 8 August 2026
⏰ 8:00 am – 9:30 am
📍 Central Plaza, JCU

Together, we will enjoy a gentle mindfulness practice, including mindful breathing, walking meditation, and quiet reflection. Whether you are new to mindfulness or have an established practice, you are warmly welcome to join us.

🌿 Monthly Mindfulness Warriors – Everyone Welcome 🌿

Start your Saturday morning with a moment of peace, presence, and connection.

Join us for our Monthly Mindfulness Practice on:

🗓️ Saturday, 11 July
⏰ 8:00 am – 9:30 am
📍 Central Plaza, JCU, Townsville

Together, we will enjoy a gentle mindfulness practice, including mindful breathing, walking meditation, and quiet reflection. Whether you are new to mindfulness or have an established practice, you are warmly welcome to join us.

Walking Meditation Reflection – A Winter Morning of Quiet Renewal

Wendy Li

This morning’s walking meditation unfolded in the gentle beauty of a winter day. The air was cool and comfortable, the sunlight soft and golden, filtering through the trees and casting delicate patterns on the path. Walking slowly and mindfully, I felt invited to settle into the present moment and to notice the coolness of the breeze on my skin, the rhythm of each step, and the quiet stillness that winter often brings.

During the walk, I paused by a plant that immediately caught my attention (picture 2). At first glance, it appeared to be struggling. Many of its leaves were curled, drooping, and discoloured, giving the impression that the plant might be dying. Yet as I looked more carefully, I noticed something remarkable: on the left side, fresh green leaves were emerging, vibrant and full of life.

This small scene felt like a teaching. How often do we focus on what is fading, damaged, or lost, while overlooking the signs of renewal that are already present? The plant reminded me that life is rarely a simple story of growth or decline. Even amidst apparent deterioration, new beginnings can quietly emerge. What appears to be an ending may also contain the seeds of transformation.

As I continued walking, I reflected on how this mirrors our own lives. There are times when we feel depleted, discouraged, or uncertain, and it can seem as though parts of us are withering. Yet beneath the surface, new capacities, insights, and possibilities may already be taking root. Growth does not always announce itself dramatically; sometimes it begins as a few tender leaves appearing on an otherwise struggling plant.

Today’s winter morning meditation left me with a sense of gentle hope. The season may be cool and still, but life continues its quiet work. The plant’s new leaves served as a reminder to look beyond appearances, to trust the process of change, and to remain open to renewal, even when it is subtle and easy to miss.

As I finished the walk, I carried with me a simple reflection: wherever there is life, there is the possibility of new growth. Sometimes all we need is the patience and mindfulness to notice it.

Join us on 13 June 2026 for a transformative morning of renewal and profound connection with Mindful Warriors. Together, we’ll create a sacred space to pause, breathe, and reconnect—nurturing resilience, wellbeing, and unbreakable inner strength. Where: James Cook University’s Central Plaza in Townsville. When: Saturday, 13 June 2026 ⏰ 8:00 – 9:30am

Researchers are looking for people living with diabetes to take part in a study on whether a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program can improve their mental wellbeing and physical health. JCU: James Cook University, Australia
Full story: https://shorturl.at/5VK5C

Join us on 9 May 2026 for a morning of renewal and connection with Mindful Warriors. Together, we’ll create a space to pause, breathe, and reconnect—nurturing resilience, wellbeing, and inner strength.

Where: James Cook University’s Central Plaza in Townsville.
When: Saturday, 9 May 2026 ⏰ 8:00 – 9:30am

Lest we forget.

Mindfulness intervention for Adults with Diabetes

Researchers from James Cook University and the Townsville Hospital and Health Service are seeking participants for a study on how Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) can support mental and physical health for those living with diabetes.

If you have been diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes for at least 6 months and live in regional or rural North Queensland, you may be eligible to participate.

Why Join?
Living with diabetes can be emotionally challenging. This study explores how an 8-week mindfulness program, available online or in-person in Townsville, can help reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing.

Participants receive:
• $30 reimbursement per session.
• A free yoga mat.
• All testing costs covered.

Interested in taking part?
Check out the poster below for full details on eligibility and what participation involves.

Register your interest here:
👉 https://jcu.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3faxzP8fGts70ns

Alternatively, you can speak with your clinician at the TUH Diabetes Clinic.

Share Your Experience: The Mindful Warriors Evaluation Study

Have you participated in the Mindful Warriors program? Whether you are an ADF veteran, a family member, or a community participant, we want to hear from you!

The JCU MINDS research team is looking for participants to share their perspectives on the long-term benefits of community mindfulness practice. Your insights are incredibly valuable and will help us improve and expand mindfulness support for veterans and the broader community.

What’s Involved?
• A relaxed, one-on-one interview (approximately 45–60 minutes).
• Can be conducted in person at the JCU Townsville Mindfulness Lab or online.
• A chance to reflect on how mindfulness has impacted your stress levels, resilience, and wellbeing.

Who Can Join?
You may be eligible if you:
• Are 18 years or older.
• Have attended at least three Mindful Warriors sessions or one Annual Retreat.

Ready to help shape the future of the program?
For more information or to register your interest, please contact me directly at [email protected], scan the QR code on the poster below, or use the link below: 👉 https://jcu.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cSZ4oN17CSlhIsm