The Joy of Meditation- Vipassana and the Whole 9 Yards
8 Sesssions
Thursday mornings, 10:00-Noon, February 4-March 25

 The Buddha’s teachings on meditation have been referred to as a “technology of transformation.”  His teachings offered a range of meditation practices which are generally categorized as Sati (Mindfulness), Samadhi (Unification/tranquility), Vipassana (Insight), Metta (Friendliness), and Jhana (Absorption).  Many of these practices found their way into the later Buddhist traditions and are very much part of the modern mindfulness movement (MBSR etc), although not always explicitly. Added to this, the practices themselves are taught in a very wide range of ways, depending on the individual teacher and cultural context. 

This bounty can, paradoxically, lead to confusion and doubt, or to staying on the surface level in our practice as a result of switching around so much. What is the relationship between these practices? How do we know when to turn to one or the other? There are ways to welcome depth, playfulness and creativity in practice to counter this doubt and confusion.

This class is intended as a support for anyone who has completed a beginner meditation course or a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction class, and who is curious about the specific Buddhist teachings on meditation.  Each class will involve a significant practice period and teaching based on the original suttas, as well as classical and modern interpretative commentaries. 

We will spend time investigating our own experience with each of these practices and sharing the fruit of wisdom and compassion that comes of this.