New to meditation or not sure where to start with mindfulness? This beginner-friendly session is the perfect place to dip your toes in. We’ll break down what mindfulness really means, guide you through simple meditation exercises, and offer tips to help you feel more present and grounded in everyday life.

No prior experience is necessary — just come as you are, with a little curiosity and a willingness to pause.

This class will be led by Benjamin and Natalie.

About the speakers:

Benjamin's first encounter with Buddhist practice was when he stumbled across a zen anecdote in second grade. He has meditated regularly since 2022 and has an appreciation for all forms of practice, drawing inspiration especially from Theravadan and East Asian traditions, which is part of what drew him to Red Clay beginning in 2023. After living in China for several years, he enjoys continuing to study the language by participating in Chinese sutra translation projects as well as by practicing brush calligraphy with East Asian Buddhist texts.

Natalie Khazaal is a Vipassana meditator with a deep interest in the nature of consciousness and subjective experience. Drawing from her background as a professor and researcher, she brings thoughtful curiosity to questions like: What does it mean to be fully awake to our lives? How can mindful awareness help us connect to the quiet brilliance of the mind—and the beauty of simply being? Natalie leads the Movie Club at Red Clay Sangha every second Saturday of the month, where participants explore films that spark reflection on mindfulness, compassion, and the practice of being present. Learn more about her work and background here: https://iac.gatech.edu/people/person/natalie-khazaal