About Simply Mindful

Since 2004, we've been helping people discover the benefits of mindfulness and develop practices for living well.

Our approach

We are committed to bringing quality, depth of experience, rigour and authenticity to our programs.

Our teaching is grounded in the foundations of mindfulness practice and informed by contemporary psychology, neuroscience and medical knowledge.

We believe that mindfulness is something to be practised and lived, not simply understood.

Our programs combine learning, meditation and practical skills that can be brought into everyday life.

Our programs

We offer different ways to learn, practise and experience mindfulness, depending on your needs, not to mention the amount of time and energy you have available!

Your options include structured multi-week courses that support lasting change, weekly drop-in meditation and yoga groups, and immersive retreats to nourish your body and soul.

Our values

We endeavour to embody the values and qualities of mindfulness.

These include a respect for all life, treating all with understanding, compassion and kindness, listening deeply, speaking from a place of thoughtfulness and honesty and, as best we can, ensuring our actions do not cause harm.

We value diversity, authenticity, accessibility and sustainability.

We nurture and encourage the growth of our mindfulness community by providing opportunities for meeting, discussion and practice throughout the year.

Respect · Compassion · Kindness · Listening · Honesty · Diversity · Authenticity · Accessibility

Our story

2004

Sue Hays teaches her first mindfulness course in Canberra.

2009

Megan Layton begins teaching alongside Sue, and the Canberra Mindfulness Centre is formed.

2012

The Canberra Mindfulness Centre changes its name to Simply Mindful.

2016

Sue Hays retires and Megan Layton is invited to take over the reins.

2024

Simply Mindful’s 20 year anniversary.

Today

Together with a small group of passionate and experienced teachers, Megan continues to offer life-changing, science-backed programs for people from all walks of life.

Thousands of people take part in our programs every year, and we continue to bring the skills of mindfulness to individuals, groups and teams in Canberra and beyond.

Our people

We are a small team working closely together to provide you with support and encouragement on your mindfulness journey. Our team includes trained teachers, dedicated support staff, and a few generous volunteers.

We come from diverse backgrounds and have other jobs and additional interests, but we all have one thing in common: our commitment to mindful living.

All of us at Simply Mindful are committed to a regular mindfulness practice in our lives. As well, we attend regular extended silent retreats in order to deepen our meditation practice.

We all live, work, study and play in the Canberra community and have deep connections to this place, its people and the wonderful environment in which we live.

Get to know us

Our commitment to excellent teaching

Each of the teachers at Simply Mindful is following the Mindfulness Training Institute of Australasia (MTIA) recommended sequence for MBSR teacher training, involving foundational training, initial teaching, advanced training and certification.

We participate in professional supervision with colleagues here in Canberra, around Australia and the world and regularly attend extended silent retreats in order to deepen our own meditation practice.

The Gathering Place

Simply Mindful is based at the Gathering Place, a peaceful urban retreat centre nestled in the leafy Northside suburb of Dickson.

This unique venue is a former convent, enclosed in a private garden that includes a labyrinth.

It is a beautiful place of peace, meditation, contemplation, healing, renewal and learning.

Most of our mindfulness courses, practice groups, yoga classes and retreats are offered at the Gathering Place. It is also available for hire.

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