Lessons in the Buddhist practice of mindfulness will be taught from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Palomar Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Vista.

Buddhist Dharma teachers Larry Ward and Peggy Rowe will lead the sessions on mindfulness as practiced in the tradition of renowned Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh.

Mindfulness, a central role in Buddhism, is a technique that brings total awareness of a person's thoughts and actions in the present moment through meditation.

People attending are asked to wear loose and comfortable clothes and to bring a blanket to recline on the floor for a deep relaxation exercise. Those who do not wish to use a chair are asked to bring a cushion.

The half-day session is titled "Peace Is Always Personal."

Peace is a primary theme in the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh (pronounced Tick-Naught-Han), a Vietnamese monk who was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King in 1967 for his work toward reconciling North and South Vietnam. He was exiled from his home country in 1966 but was allowed to teach there again in 2005. Thich Nhat Hanh was joined on the trip by 11 monks and nine nuns from Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, where he teaches about every two years.

In Vietnam, he promoted traditional meditative practices with active nonviolent civil disobedience, a movement known as engaged Buddhism. He also established relief organizations to rebuild Vietnamese villages and created the School of Youth for Social Service.

The church is at 1600 Buena Vista Drive. A $20 donation is suggested. For reservations, e-mail bwiscons@cox.net.

- Contact staff writer Gary Warth at (760) 740-5410 or gwarth@nctimes.com.