There is no more thrilling activity than the intelligent exploration and refinement of consciousness. Course features a mix of guided meditation, discussion, and weekly meditation-in-action homework assignments designed to introduce existential tomfoolery into the lives of participants.
About two-thirds of the classes are loosely based on the Basic Mindfulness System of Buddhist teacher and scholar Shinzen Young. As he has taught me, I will endeavour to teach you, only with less math, less skill, and significantly more hair. Seven classes over seven weeks. Suitable for beginners who want to learn the basics, and for more experienced practitioners who want to expand their meditation repertoire.
Techniques include:
- developing insight into the components of thinking and feeling
- regulating emotions and releasing stuck patterns
- learning to decrease empathic overwhelm and increase healthy compassion
- finding comfort and appreciation in the different sense modes
- building up equanimity, acceptance, and nondual-flavoured composure
- simplifying the mind with concentration and relaxation
- exploring stability and grounding vs energetic flow and change
- testing different positivity practices and views
Primary course objectives are to give participants a strong understanding of the dynamics of meditation in particular and contemplative development in general, and to ensure that by the end of the course they are established in their own customized meditation practice, which they can then use as a departure point for personal growth and / or cosmic spelunking. In my teaching I move between the practical and grounded on the one hand, and the transcendent and mystical on the other. Our lives unfold between these two scales.
A practice is said to “work” if, in a reasonable time frame, it delivers at least one of the following:
- Reduction of your physical and/or emotional suffering
- Elevation of your physical and/or emotional fulfillment
- Deeper knowledge of who you are, including the wrenching clutching covetous insecure parts
- Positive behavioral changes
- Boosted spirit of friendliness and service towards others
- Development of new friendships with trees and shrubbery
- Dance-floor fearlessness, despite continuing lack of coordination and style
Registration for this course includes:
- Seven two-hour classes of guided meditation (40 min), teaching (40 min), and sharing and discussion (40 min)
- Weekly reading, sitting and moving assignments
- Bound copy of Meditation Workbook
- PDF of the meditation manual
- MP3s of all meditation techniques
- Champagne baptism followed by a drunken orgy – wait no that’s my Vajrayana class, sorry.
This is The Way of the Consciousness Explorer. Nuff’ said.
Jeff
President, The Consciousness Explorers Club
NOTE: Meditation can complement but is not a substitute for professional psychological and medical health care. There are risks in any psychological or spiritual method. Those risks increase for people who are experiencing significant distress or dysfunction. If you are currently seeing a mental health professional, discuss with them whether or not meditation is appropriate for your situation.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Session 1 – Simplicity and Rest; Absorption
Session 2 – Thinking and Space; Friendliness
Session 3 – Emotions and Catharsis; Compassion
Session 4 – Sound, Sight, and the Present Moment; Positive View
Session 5 – Body, Stability and Change; Positive Ideals
Session 6 – Acceptance and Awareness; Joy
Session 7 – Practice and Life; Gratitude and Interconnection