BWY Progressive Stages Of Meditation Module
Level 1: Calm Abiding (Shamatha)
a BWY Module tutored by: MAARTEN VERMAASE
a BWY Module tutored by: MAARTEN VERMAASE
For full course outline, booklist, dates, location and venue info, course fees and booking information, please contact the Module Co-ordinators:
Sheffield, all Saturdays, 10.30 – 16.30, starting Spring 2021, Contact: [email protected]
Buckingham, Sundays, some Saturdays, 10.00 – 17.00, starting Spring 202 , Contact: [email protected]
To be kept informed about future courses, or if you wish to organise the Module in your region, please contact [email protected]
Sheffield, all Saturdays, 10.30 – 16.30, starting Spring 2021, Contact: [email protected]
Buckingham, Sundays, some Saturdays, 10.00 – 17.00, starting Spring 202 , Contact: [email protected]
To be kept informed about future courses, or if you wish to organise the Module in your region, please contact [email protected]
Aims / Rationale:
- To present a structured guide to the path of meditation and how this applies to the practice of Yoga.
- To encourage regular meditation practice and to provide a supportive platform for the exchange of feedback/experience
- To discuss aspects of personal development regarding ‘Yogic’ lifestyle in general and the practice of meditation in particular
- For teachers: To outline a framework and methods for the teaching of meditation.
NB - This module aims to provide Yoga Teachers with tools for the development of their own personal practice. It is hoped that by gaining a deeper insight into the process of sensitivity and openness in meditation and post-meditation (lifestyle), participants will in time and after appropriate practice be able to impart some of these insights to their own students.
Course Organisation / Structure:
- It is envisaged that the course will be held over several one-day seminars (for suggested detailed Course Plan see Appendix 1) with monthly to six week intervals to allow for study and home practice.
- NB: Organisation of the Course will be up to BWY local representatives. The Tutor will be happy to travel to other regions to teach, but does not wish to get involved with publicity and organisation.
Previous knowledge:
This is a Module for the BWY. Entry requirements: BWY Foundation Course or equivalent. Contact tutor if in doubt.
Content:
With the help of study, reflection and practice, the following naturally overlapping topics will be explored:
- Lineage and the significance of transmission.
- View, Path and Result: an overview of the meditation methods
- Motivation and inspiration: the importance of study, reflection and meditation; Buddhist ‘Four ways to turn the mind’
- Karma, Klesha, Avidya and Dukha/Samsara
- Meditation: the progression from calming the mind (Shamatha) to the investigation of Self and Phenomena (Vipashana).
- Guided meditation practices:
- Shamatha: posture; meditation with support: breathing meditations; Tratak and external images; Chakra and internal visualization; mantra and sound;
- meditation without support: dissolution of visualization; opening the senses; directly on mind, etc
- ‘Transformation’ meditation; ‘Deity Yoga’
- The power of prayer
- Healing meditations for self and others
- the principle of ‘Rushen’ (Tib: separation): balance and spontaneous meditation
- Vipashana: analytical; direct/ non-conceptual; nature of ‘Self’; nature of Phenomena
- Obstacles to meditation (‘hindrances’) and their remedies: Patanjali’s view; Buddhist view
- Signs of progress: differentiating experience (Tib: Nyam) from realization; non attachment to ‘Siddhis’
- Linking meditation with Yoga :
- definition of Tibetan word‘Ku’: ways of ‘being in the body’
- Working with sensations as a cause for relaxation and meditation
- The Buddhist perspective of Sthirasukhamasanam (stability and ease in posture)
- The ‘Inner Breath’ as basis for Pranayama and Breathing Meditation.
- ‘A doer and deed refined untill they’re gone’ (exploring spontaneous movement).
- Using classical texts and Dohas (‘songs of realisation’)as inspiration: reflection; recitation; chanting
- Post-meditation: how to integrate in daily life: - Mindfulness
- Yama and Niyama
- Buddhist Eightfold Path and Six Paramitas
Outcomes:
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
- Consider the role of meditation in the context of the ‘Path’ to realization.
- Practise different forms of Tranquility meditation (Shamatha) with appropriate confidence.
- Recognize ‘state of mind’ and select appropriate meditation methods.
- Recognize hindrances, obstacles and signs of progress and select appropriate remedies
- Appreciate the difference between Shamata and Vipashana (Insight) Meditation (from the Buddhist perspective).
- Demonstrate a perception of some of the principles of mindfulness so that these may be applied to the personal practice of Asana, Pranayama and Meditation.
- Reflect on the meaning of a selection of quotes from classical texts and Dohas.
- Recognize the importance of Post-Meditation, and practise mindfulness in daily life.
- Consider the need for continued study and practice!
- For teachers: teach assimilated practices to regular Yoga students in a structured way.
Methods:
- This is an experiential course: theoretical and philosophical principles, including those from classical texts, will be discussed to underpin the mostly practical work.
- There will be prolonged meditation sessions, with some Asana, Pranayama and chanting
- Home practice is essential, and participants are expected to maintain a reflective ‘Practice Diary’ during the course and to submit a short Written Assignment, on a subject to be negotiated with the Course Tutor, on completion.
- Students are encouraged to generously participate with feedback, discussion, self-assessment and evaluation.
Award:
BWY Module in Meditation and Personal Development Certificate
- To present a structured guide to the path of meditation and how this applies to the practice of Yoga.
- To encourage regular meditation practice and to provide a supportive platform for the exchange of feedback/experience
- To discuss aspects of personal development regarding ‘Yogic’ lifestyle in general and the practice of meditation in particular
- For teachers: To outline a framework and methods for the teaching of meditation.
NB - This module aims to provide Yoga Teachers with tools for the development of their own personal practice. It is hoped that by gaining a deeper insight into the process of sensitivity and openness in meditation and post-meditation (lifestyle), participants will in time and after appropriate practice be able to impart some of these insights to their own students.
Course Organisation / Structure:
- It is envisaged that the course will be held over several one-day seminars (for suggested detailed Course Plan see Appendix 1) with monthly to six week intervals to allow for study and home practice.
- NB: Organisation of the Course will be up to BWY local representatives. The Tutor will be happy to travel to other regions to teach, but does not wish to get involved with publicity and organisation.
Previous knowledge:
This is a Module for the BWY. Entry requirements: BWY Foundation Course or equivalent. Contact tutor if in doubt.
Content:
With the help of study, reflection and practice, the following naturally overlapping topics will be explored:
- Lineage and the significance of transmission.
- View, Path and Result: an overview of the meditation methods
- Motivation and inspiration: the importance of study, reflection and meditation; Buddhist ‘Four ways to turn the mind’
- Karma, Klesha, Avidya and Dukha/Samsara
- Meditation: the progression from calming the mind (Shamatha) to the investigation of Self and Phenomena (Vipashana).
- Guided meditation practices:
- Shamatha: posture; meditation with support: breathing meditations; Tratak and external images; Chakra and internal visualization; mantra and sound;
- meditation without support: dissolution of visualization; opening the senses; directly on mind, etc
- ‘Transformation’ meditation; ‘Deity Yoga’
- The power of prayer
- Healing meditations for self and others
- the principle of ‘Rushen’ (Tib: separation): balance and spontaneous meditation
- Vipashana: analytical; direct/ non-conceptual; nature of ‘Self’; nature of Phenomena
- Obstacles to meditation (‘hindrances’) and their remedies: Patanjali’s view; Buddhist view
- Signs of progress: differentiating experience (Tib: Nyam) from realization; non attachment to ‘Siddhis’
- Linking meditation with Yoga :
- definition of Tibetan word‘Ku’: ways of ‘being in the body’
- Working with sensations as a cause for relaxation and meditation
- The Buddhist perspective of Sthirasukhamasanam (stability and ease in posture)
- The ‘Inner Breath’ as basis for Pranayama and Breathing Meditation.
- ‘A doer and deed refined untill they’re gone’ (exploring spontaneous movement).
- Using classical texts and Dohas (‘songs of realisation’)as inspiration: reflection; recitation; chanting
- Post-meditation: how to integrate in daily life: - Mindfulness
- Yama and Niyama
- Buddhist Eightfold Path and Six Paramitas
Outcomes:
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
- Consider the role of meditation in the context of the ‘Path’ to realization.
- Practise different forms of Tranquility meditation (Shamatha) with appropriate confidence.
- Recognize ‘state of mind’ and select appropriate meditation methods.
- Recognize hindrances, obstacles and signs of progress and select appropriate remedies
- Appreciate the difference between Shamata and Vipashana (Insight) Meditation (from the Buddhist perspective).
- Demonstrate a perception of some of the principles of mindfulness so that these may be applied to the personal practice of Asana, Pranayama and Meditation.
- Reflect on the meaning of a selection of quotes from classical texts and Dohas.
- Recognize the importance of Post-Meditation, and practise mindfulness in daily life.
- Consider the need for continued study and practice!
- For teachers: teach assimilated practices to regular Yoga students in a structured way.
Methods:
- This is an experiential course: theoretical and philosophical principles, including those from classical texts, will be discussed to underpin the mostly practical work.
- There will be prolonged meditation sessions, with some Asana, Pranayama and chanting
- Home practice is essential, and participants are expected to maintain a reflective ‘Practice Diary’ during the course and to submit a short Written Assignment, on a subject to be negotiated with the Course Tutor, on completion.
- Students are encouraged to generously participate with feedback, discussion, self-assessment and evaluation.
Award:
BWY Module in Meditation and Personal Development Certificate