Bakken Center Launches New Fund — Mindfulness: In Recognition of Mariann Johnson

Mindfulness programming is one of the fastest-growing areas of the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing, notably since the COVID-19 pandemic brought Mindful Mondays to people across Minnesota and around the world. It opened the door to a constant and expanding audience of people who want to engage with the practice and thirst for more. 

Much of this growth is grounded in the work of Mariann Johnson, a mindfulness and wellbeing instructor who has made an impact in many aspects of the Center’s mindfulness programming. Aiming to continue supporting and enhancing its offerings, the Center recently launched a new Mindfulness Fund. 

Bakken Center Development Officer Virginia Kaczmarek came up with the fund and name idea. “In discussions with donors, Mariann Johnson’s significant influence frequently emerges as a catalyst for their contributions,” she says. “Observing the surging engagement recently, we felt it apt to launch a campaign dedicated to mindfulness, inaugurating it in recognition of Mariann’s profound impact.” 

Stressing the importance of mindfulness for wellbeing, the Center has been working to ensure that its programs are accessible to all, regardless of people’s ability to pay. The Center will use donations to the Johnson Fund to continue expanding opportunities for all, such as offering a pay-what-you-can pricing, Kaczmarek says. 

It also will support the hiring, retention, and training of quality teachers and facilitators, Kaczmarek says, which will create a more inclusive and welcoming learning environment for every community member. 

A mindfulness practitioner for 25 years, Johnson knows how beneficial it has been in her life and finds it gratifying to pass its tools onto others. Johnson was “surprised and delighted” when Kaczmarek came to her with the idea for the fund, excited to know that the resources would be used to remove barriers to participation. 

“I was really humbled by it. I’m really grateful that we have this opportunity to build on already extraordinary mindfulness-based programs at the Center,” Johnson says. “We can honor the legacy and tradition of our almost 20 years of programming and our teachers. We are really blessed with some of the most exceptional MBSR and mindfulness teachers. Part of this fund will be used to build to the future and build the next generation of trained mindfulness teachers.” 

As much as the Covid pandemic was a time of stress, it did inspire the Center to put mindfulness programming online. This led to a more diverse group of people participating, an effort Bakken leaders want to continue. “That reach extended all over the country and the world—what a gift!” Johnson says. “Just as significantly was our strong commitment to make sure that our programming is available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.” 

The Center also plays the important role of convening mindfulness teachers and providing opportunities for them to continue learning. Johnson appreciates that the fund will support these efforts, ensuring that the next generation of teachers can meet the moment. “Mindfulness is so powerful. It helps us cultivate this innate capacity to be in the present moment and chose to be responsive rather than reactive,” she says. “What can be more powerful during challenging times and times that aren’t so challenging?” 

Now more than ever, mindfulness is essential to wellbeing, making it important to expand opportunities for anyone to participate. “Mindfulness nurtures vital qualities like emotional awareness, resilience, and effective communication,” Kaczmarek says. “Beyond enhancing professional endeavors, mindfulness invites us into a space of presence and equilibrium, offering tools to navigate stress and anxiety. With the growing challenges we all face, we all need mindfulness.” 

Mariann, and all our mindfulness instructors, empower many to navigate challenges resiliently. To extend this impact, consider a donation. Your support, whether a one-time gift or a recurring contribution, significantly aids in removing financial barriers, fostering inclusivity in our programs and changing lives. Visit z.umn.edu/GiveCSH