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Improve your health and
change your life

Ready to develop a more mindful approach to life?
I am here to help.
Start your stress reduction journey today.
You're not alone

As a professional mindfulness teacher, I understand the weight and frustration of feeling like there is more there for you, but not knowing where to turn to first. That's why my mission is simple; give my clients the mindfulness education, tools and resources they need to feel happy, healthy and capable of managing life's pressures.

About Me
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I'm so glad you're here and I'm excited to journey with you in deepening your mindfulness experience.

I've set myself apart with my Master's degree in Mindfulness Studies from Lesley University - the first and only program of its kind in North America.

Click here for my Master's thesis: Fostering Resiliency During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mindfulness and Compassion Training.

In addition, I am qualified via Brown University to teach MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction), an 8-week course created by Jon Kabat-Zinn, the father of modern mindfulness. 

The rigorous study and intensive meditation practice that I have undergone from the Master's degree program and MBSR training allows me to be uniquely qualified as a Mindfulness & Meditation instructor. In addition, I have over a decade of experience helping individuals navigate the stresses of life.

Bringing You a Unique Combination of
High-Level Training and Experience
Degrees & Certifications
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  • Master's of Arts in Mindfulness Studies from Lesley University

  • Qualified MBSR Instructor via Brown University

  • Certificate in STAR Training (Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience) through the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding

  • Graduate Certificate in Religion from Lancaster Theological Seminary 

  • Certified as a Spiritual Director by Shalem Institute 

  • Certified by Shalem Institute as a Contemplative Retreat Leader 

  • Two-Year Certificate in Spiritual Formation from KAIROS: School of Spiritual Formation

  • B.Sc. in Social Work, with a minor in Sociology, from Eastern Mennonite University 

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My Approach

I have profound trust that it is within your power to provide for your deepest needs. The path of mindfulness invites you to discover your own capacity for strength and resiliency; to stay present when fear arises and meet difficult situations with courage, compassion and insight. 

At the core of my mindfulness teaching is an inquiry into the human condition. The exchange between participant and facilitator is a collaborative exploration of our shared common humanity. Here we learn together how to bring compassion to our imperfections and hold even our greatest moments of confusion and suffering with love and grace.

It's my desire to meet you right where you are and create a safe space for the deepest possible exploration of mindfulness.

Companies I Have Worked With

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KAIROS:
School of Spiritual Formation

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Talks & Meditations

Conversations on Mindfulness
with Guided Meditation Practices
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Classes
Pink Lotus Flower

January 21st - March 24th, 2024

West End Yoga Studio, Lancaster, PA

MBSR 8-week program

Join Jess Okanya Patel in this Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, which is considered the gold standard of mindfulness training. It is an experiential and immersive journey to deepen the practice of mindfulness in your everyday life. The MBSR is designed to help you relieve stress from work and life.

Upcoming Classes

Contact
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Contact Me

My mission, as an educator, podcaster, and mindfulness teacher is to make the teachings of mindfulness easy and accessible for any person, from any walk of life.

I am excited to talk with you more about the programs I offer businesses, organizations, communities, teachers, and anyone who wants to improve symptoms of burnout, manage stress and learn how to be more compassionate and at ease with themselves. 

Tel: +1 717 417 0004

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