Les 1
Preliminaries: An Essential Foundation For Awakening
We will begin this first session by clarifying the important difference between an entry-level practice (Meditation 1.0) and the next level (Meditation 2.0.) You will next learn the time-tested basics of meditation that serve as the foundation for an evolving practice. That understanding will enable you to explore, in the following sessions, the three progressive stages of meditation that will enable you to attain the twofold aim of meditation: cultivating a healthy human life, and awakening to your authentic self and the qualities of human flourishing.
Les 2
Meditation With Support: Cultivating Pure Awareness
In this session we will explore meditation with support. To achieve both of our aims – a healthy human life and awakening to our authentic self -we will first learn to cultivate the special quality of pure awareness, a quality that will carry us through the three stages of meditation. For that, it is important to know the difference between the entry-level approach of mindfulness and the more subtle and advanced approach of awareness. We will conclude the session by learning and practicing an awareness-based meditation with support.
Les 3
Overcoming The Overactive Mind
We begin by learning more about the overactive mind. What is the source of mental activity? What sustains it? How can we remedy this seemingly intractable aspect of human life? We will discover that there is both a temporary and permanent approach to calming the mind. The first depends on methods that are only effective when in use. The second, a permanent remedy, relies on wisdom - a precise understanding of the mind and mental distractions. Together, we will practice a wisdom-based approach to overcoming the overactive mind.
Les 4
Meditation Without Support: Cultivating An Open Awareness
In a previous session we practiced meditation with support. In this session we will progress to meditation without support. We will discuss the key points, distinguish between our usual ego-based awareness and pure awareness, activate the shift towards a state of presence and being, and learn how to integrate an unconditioned awareness and presence into daily life. Our practice will progressively shift to a wisdom-based practice. Together, we will practice meditation without support.
Les 5
From Person To Presence: Pointing Out The Essence Of Mind
We are now ready to point out the essential nature of mind, which is our unchanging and natural self. As we move towards recognizing our natural self, we begin the important shift from our personal acquired “I” to a natural presence and being, and you will understand the key differences. We will discover that it is possible to live our-day-to-day life from our authentic self, from the center of our being. This is an extraordinary shift. Through pointing out instructions we will experience our natural presence in practice.
Les 6
The End Of Suffering
In this session, you will discover that adversity – both inner and outer – can be a powerful catalyst for personal development, irrespective of your particular circumstance. We will discuss the skills and techniques that transform stress, distress, and suffering into wisdom, freedom, and compassion. You will understand the fundamental cause of all suffering - coarse and subtle, and discover the one key element in moving beyond. Together, we will explore in practice the inner shift that brings an end to suffering.
Les 7
Transforming Relationships: Awakening With Others
The quality and durability of inter-personal relationships are dependent on the consciousness we bring to them. We can live relationship from the consciousness of the ordinary “I,” or imbue relationship with the consciousness of Presence and Pure Awareness - our natural self. This session will explore how we establish a base of personal well-being as the foundation for extending ourselves to others, identify the qualities and characteristics of presence-based relationships, and demonstrate the practice of presence-based relationships in daily life.
Les 8
Presence At Work: Transforming Work Into Service
The individual seeking to live from presence and authenticity approaches work with a good heart and intent, letting go of any self-centered outcome for him/her self – whether benefit or loss. The noble aim is to cultivate selfless service, a characteristic of the natural self. We will identify the essential shift that aligns work with our authentic self, explore and learn the five key factors that prepare us for selfless service, and together practice becoming a healer at work.
Les 9
Activating The Subtle Mind/Body
The final step in integrating practice into daily life is fully activating the mind-body connection. The capacity for self-regulation is well-established science. But now, we can as well activate the subtler aspects of the mind/body interface that accompanies the shift from person to presence. In this session we will learn about the evolving understanding of the mind-body interface, understand the role of mindfulness, self-regulation, and presence in activating subtler levels of the mind/body interface, and together practice a progressively subtler approach to the mind/body.
Les 10
Human Flourishing: The Miracle Of An Awakened Consciousness
The great sage Aurobindo spoke about what he called, the Perfection of Health. In the Western Tradition Aristotle called it Eudaimonia, The perfection of health – human flourishing – is a state of sustained well-being irrespective of disease, aging, or death. In this session you will learn the key factor in activating high-level well-being throughout the life cycle, recognize the spontaneously arising qualities of human flourishing, and affirm the centrality of inner development in living a life of full awareness, presence and innate well-being.
