BWY Progressive Stages Of Meditation Module
Level 2: Vipashyana
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:
Sorry, none planned at present. Please see Meditation Module Level 3
To be kept informed about future courses, or if you wish to organize the Module in your region, please contact: [email protected]
Sorry, none planned at present. Please see Meditation Module Level 3
To be kept informed about future courses, or if you wish to organize the Module in your region, please contact: [email protected]
Aims / Rationale:
- To provide a continuation for those students who have completed the ‘Level 1’ Meditation Module. - To present a structured guide to the progressive stages of Vipashyana (Insight)meditation and how these apply to the practice of Yoga.
- To encourage and enhance regular meditation practice and to provide a supportive platform for the exchange of feedback and discussion of experience.
- To discuss aspects of personal development regarding ‘Yogic’ lifestyle in general and the practice of Lojong (Mind Training) and meditation in particular.
- For teachers: to outline a framework and methods for, and to inspire confidence in, 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 seven one-day seminars (for suggested detailed Course Plan see Appendix 1) with 4 - 6 week intervals to allow for study and home practice.
- Alternatively, the structure can be adapted to 4 weekends, residential or non-residential, with 6 - 8 week intervals
- NB: Organisation of the Course will be likely to be up to BWY local representatives. The Tutor will be happy to travel to other regions to teach, but generally does not wish to get involved with organisation.
Previous knowledge:
This is an Post Graduate Module for BWY Diploma Holders or equivalent who have completed (Maarten’s) First Level meditation Module, AND who have attended (Maarten’s) additional course on Lojong or the equivalent with another suitable teacher. If in doubt, please contact tutor.
Content:
With the help of study, reflection and practice, the following topics will be explored:
- Review of the Level One Module:
- 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; Four ‘Reminders’
- Karma, Klesha, Avidya and Dukha/Samsara, and the practice of Purification
- Meditation: the progressing from Tranquillity (Shamatha) to Insight (Vipashyana)
- Obstacles to meditation (‘hindrances’) and their remedies: Patanjali’s view; Buddhist view
- Signs of progress, and how to enhance our practice
- Differentiating analytical from ‘non-conceptual’ Vipashyana (Mahamudra)
- Guided meditations through the stages of Vipashyana:
- Examining and Recognising the Resting Mind,
- Examining and Recognising the Moving Mind: thoughts
- Examining and Recognising the Moving Mind: appearances
- Examining and Recognising Body and Mind as the same or different
- Examining and Recognising the Resting and Moving Mind as the same or different
- Linking meditation with Yoga : examining specific pith instructions
- Using classical texts and Dohas (‘songs of realisation’) as inspiration: reflection; recitation; chanting
- The study and practice of Lojong (Mind Training) in Post- Meditation: the essential integration into daily life, and the examination of comparative methods: Yama and Niyama and the Buddhist Eightfold Path and Six Paramitas.
Outcomes:
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
- Consider the role of Vipashyana meditation in the context of the ‘Path’ to realization.
- Recognize ‘state of mind’ and select appropriate Tranquillity meditation (Shamatha) methods with suitable confidence.
- Appreciate the difference between Shamatha and Vipashyana (Insight) Meditation (from the Buddhist perspective).
- Practise the stages of Vipashyana with appropriate confidence and perseverance
- Recognize hindrances, obstacles and signs of progress and select appropriate remedies
- Reflect on the meaning of a selection of quotes from classical texts and Dohas, and consider how these may inspire the practice of Hatha Yoga
- Recognize the importance of Post-Meditation, and apply the Lojong techniques 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: participants are expected to maintain a reflective ‘Practice Diary’ during the course and to submit a short Written Assignment on completion on a subject to be designated.
- There may be some student presentations.
- Students are invited to generously participate with feedback, discussion, self-assessment and evaluation
Award:
BWY Module in Meditation and Personal Development Certificate, level 2
- To provide a continuation for those students who have completed the ‘Level 1’ Meditation Module. - To present a structured guide to the progressive stages of Vipashyana (Insight)meditation and how these apply to the practice of Yoga.
- To encourage and enhance regular meditation practice and to provide a supportive platform for the exchange of feedback and discussion of experience.
- To discuss aspects of personal development regarding ‘Yogic’ lifestyle in general and the practice of Lojong (Mind Training) and meditation in particular.
- For teachers: to outline a framework and methods for, and to inspire confidence in, 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 seven one-day seminars (for suggested detailed Course Plan see Appendix 1) with 4 - 6 week intervals to allow for study and home practice.
- Alternatively, the structure can be adapted to 4 weekends, residential or non-residential, with 6 - 8 week intervals
- NB: Organisation of the Course will be likely to be up to BWY local representatives. The Tutor will be happy to travel to other regions to teach, but generally does not wish to get involved with organisation.
Previous knowledge:
This is an Post Graduate Module for BWY Diploma Holders or equivalent who have completed (Maarten’s) First Level meditation Module, AND who have attended (Maarten’s) additional course on Lojong or the equivalent with another suitable teacher. If in doubt, please contact tutor.
Content:
With the help of study, reflection and practice, the following topics will be explored:
- Review of the Level One Module:
- 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; Four ‘Reminders’
- Karma, Klesha, Avidya and Dukha/Samsara, and the practice of Purification
- Meditation: the progressing from Tranquillity (Shamatha) to Insight (Vipashyana)
- Obstacles to meditation (‘hindrances’) and their remedies: Patanjali’s view; Buddhist view
- Signs of progress, and how to enhance our practice
- Differentiating analytical from ‘non-conceptual’ Vipashyana (Mahamudra)
- Guided meditations through the stages of Vipashyana:
- Examining and Recognising the Resting Mind,
- Examining and Recognising the Moving Mind: thoughts
- Examining and Recognising the Moving Mind: appearances
- Examining and Recognising Body and Mind as the same or different
- Examining and Recognising the Resting and Moving Mind as the same or different
- Linking meditation with Yoga : examining specific pith instructions
- Using classical texts and Dohas (‘songs of realisation’) as inspiration: reflection; recitation; chanting
- The study and practice of Lojong (Mind Training) in Post- Meditation: the essential integration into daily life, and the examination of comparative methods: Yama and Niyama and the Buddhist Eightfold Path and Six Paramitas.
Outcomes:
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
- Consider the role of Vipashyana meditation in the context of the ‘Path’ to realization.
- Recognize ‘state of mind’ and select appropriate Tranquillity meditation (Shamatha) methods with suitable confidence.
- Appreciate the difference between Shamatha and Vipashyana (Insight) Meditation (from the Buddhist perspective).
- Practise the stages of Vipashyana with appropriate confidence and perseverance
- Recognize hindrances, obstacles and signs of progress and select appropriate remedies
- Reflect on the meaning of a selection of quotes from classical texts and Dohas, and consider how these may inspire the practice of Hatha Yoga
- Recognize the importance of Post-Meditation, and apply the Lojong techniques 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: participants are expected to maintain a reflective ‘Practice Diary’ during the course and to submit a short Written Assignment on completion on a subject to be designated.
- There may be some student presentations.
- Students are invited to generously participate with feedback, discussion, self-assessment and evaluation
Award:
BWY Module in Meditation and Personal Development Certificate, level 2