Nyingma Meditation Program

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Description: The Beginning Nyingma Meditation program introduces students to the fundamentals of Nyingma Meditation practice and provides the support for students to develop an on-going, daily practice. Students will be introduced to the seven-gestures meditation posture, breath practices, silent sitting, walking meditation, Tibetan mantra practice, visualization techniques, and gentle Kum Nye (Tibetan Yoga). Objective: Upon completion, students will understand the basic principles of meditation, will have knowledge of basic sitting and walking meditative techniques, and should have an ongoing daily meditation practice of at least one-half hour a day.   Length: Minimum 1 year; may be completed in up to 2 years. Cost: $1,500. May be paid in quarterly ($375) or monthly ($125) installments Program components: 6 classes, 4 workshops, 1 retreat week

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5 required classes:

MED101 Beginning Meditation: Quieting the Mind (FALL: October 2-December 4, 2008, Thursdays, 6:15-7:45 PM; and October 1-December 3, 2008, Wednesdays, 10-11:30 AM) Learning to meditate is one of the best ways in which we can take care of ourselves.   We develop the clarity of our minds and cultivate inner tranquility. This course presents key meditation techniques that also help balance the emotions. The focus is on quieting the stream of thoughts. MED102 Beginning Meditation: Developing Inner Serenity (WINTER: January 10-March 13, 2008, Thursdays, 6:15-7:45 PM; and January 9-March 12, 2008, Wednesdays, 10-11:30 AM) Through meditation we tap a deep source of inner peace that can protect us from suffering and frustration. Through sitting meditation, walking meditation and mantra practice students learn to relax tension and cultivate equanimity. The focus is on reducing mental distraction. MED103 Beginning Meditation: Calm and Clear (SPRING: March 27-May 29, 2008, Thursdays, 6:15-7:45 PM; and March 26-May 28, 2008, Wednesdays, 10-11:30 AM) Meditation both calms the mind and leads to insight. Students learn how to foster both through clear, simple instructions for beginning or revitalizing a meditation practice. The focus is on the process that leads to insight and overcomes resistance.

MED104 Beginning Meditation: Self-Observation (SUMMER: June 12-August 14, 2008, Thursdays, 6:15-7:45 PM; and June 11-August 13, 2008, Wednesdays, 10-11:30 AM) The focus of this course is on observing the mind, emotions, and feelings. Students will learn how to stay mindful in a relaxed, but concentrated manner. Basic meditation practices will also be presented in a manner that helps make wholesome self-discovery a way of life.   MED105 Beginning Meditation: Meditation for Healing (SEPTEMBER: September 4-25, 2008, Thursdays, 6:15-7:45 PM; and September 3-24, 2008, Wednesdays, 10-11:30 AM) Many health benefits come from regular meditation practice. This course focuses on meditations that stimulate natural healing.

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1 elective class chosen from the following :

KNR101 Beginning Kum Nye: Promoting Spaciousness (WINTER: January 9-March 12, 2008, Wednesdays, 6:15-7:45 PM) Kum Nye teaches us to live spaciously as it gently moves us beyond perceived limits and boundaries. Students open the senses and then navigate the space of sensations, emotions, and perceptions, moving toward an integration of body and mind. KNR102 Beginning Kum Nye: Working with Lower Body Energy (SPRING: March 26-May 28, 2008, Wednesdays, 6:15-7:45 PM) In this course, Kum Nye exercises will be presented that energize the belly, hips, legs, and spine. Bringing awareness to the lower part of the body in this way counteracts being 'stuck' in our heads and brings us in touch with the vitality of our full embodiment. KNR103 Beginning Kum Nye: Releasing Tension and Restoring Balance (SUMMER: June 11-August 13, 2008, Wednesdays, 6:15-7:45 PM) Kum Nye movement and awareness exercises help release physical and emotional tension. Practices in this course will focus on giving students tools to restore balance to their lives and deepen their spiritual awareness. KNR105 Beginning Kum Nye: Expanding Enjoyment and Ease (FALL: October 1-December 3, 2008, Wednesdays, 6:15-7:45 PM) A series of Kum Nye practices that help to reduce physical and mental tension are combined with practices that expand the enjoyment of each of the senses.

NPS102 Transforming Negative Emotions (SUMMER: June 9 - August 11, 2008, Mondays, 8 - 9:30 PM) Introspective practices and insights from the Buddhist tradition can transform the destructive power of 'everyday' negative emotions. Based on Tarthang Tulku's Openness Mind, this course gives specific antidotes for anger, fear, anxiety, and attachment. NPR101 The Practice of Mantra (SPRING & FALL:March 26 - May 28, 2008; October 1 - December 3, 2008) Mantras are deeply symbolic words that activate qualities of wisdom, compassion, and healing when they are chanted with a quiet mind and an open heart. This class gives students an opportunity to learn traditional mantras and short prayers. MED106 Special Topics in Beginning Meditation (times to be arranged) Special Topics classes link beginning meditation with other topics in Nyingma studies.   Examples of topics include "Mindful in All things," "Creativity, Clarity and Spaciousness," and "Meditation for Creativity and Joy."

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4 elective workshops chosen from the following:

(Note: unless otherwise indicated, workshops begin at 10 AM and conclude at 4:45 PM. unless otherwise noted )

MED401 How to Meditate (counts as half a workshop) (ALL QUARTERS: January 12, February 16, March 15, May 3, June 14, August 30, October 6, and December 13, 2008, 10:00 AM-1 PM) This workshop is for beginning students, and for anyone wanting to try meditation again. Sitting, walking, and breathing practices and simple Tibetan chanting will be introduced. MED402 Healing Sound (FALL: October 11, 2008) There is an art of deep listening that hears all sounds as music and recognizes a vast healing silence at the very heart of all sound. This workshop blends music, mantra, and silence to inspire this realization. (Note: the 10-12 to 10-13-07 workshop will be held at Ratna Ling, there will be an additional $50 residential charge.) MED403 Calm and Clear (SUMMER: August 2, 2008) Traditional methods to ease the mind into "the sky of simplicity" will be presented including meditations for calming the mind (shamatha) and meditations to expand insight (vipassana).

MED404 Developing Concentration and Awareness (SEPTEMBER: September 20, 2008) Concentration and awareness are necessary for success in any endeavor. We can develop concentration and heighten awareness quickly through analytical meditation. This workshop introduces experiential exercises that focus mind, but also lead us beyond words and labels. Based on the chapter "Observing Thoughts" in Gesture of Balance. MED406 Visualization in the Tibetan Tradition (FALL: October 4, 2008) Precise instructions for how to develop visualization will be accompanied by an overview of how these practices are used as part of the Tibetan path of mental development. Workshop will include meditation exercises that contact a higher awareness. MED407 Foundations for Mindfulness (SUMMER: June 7, 2008) Mindfulness helps make life rich. In this workshop students learn about the four foundations for mindfulness: mindfulness of the body, feelings, mind, and phenomena. Participants will practice mindfulness techniques and look at advanced teachings on how mindfulness leads to wisdom.

KNR401 Renewing and Refreshing the Senses (WINTER: December 29, 2007; January 3, 2009) A day of restful Tibetan Yoga exercises to refresh the senses. Students will be taught ways to nourish each of the senses, inviting an ecstatic interaction between the 'inner' senses and the outer object. Students will also learn how to contact feeling tones within each sense. KNR402 Expanding Enjoyment and Ease (WINTER: January 5, 2008) A coordinated series of Kum Nye practices is offered that expand the senses and foster appreciation and ease. These exercises will help students to develop joyful relaxation within daily activities, allowing them to approach the new activities with inner confidence. KNR403 Opening the Heart (WINTER: February 9, 2008) The heart holds the key to leading a happy life in harmonious and loving accord with others. Kum Nye practices open the heart to deep levels of feeling and appreciation. This workshop includes exercises that loosen physical tension in the chest and upper back.

KNR404 Balancing Emotions through Tibetan Yoga (SPRING: March 8, 2008) Kum Nye exercises relax and heal both body and mind. Movement, breathing, and awareness exercises transform tension and restore emotional balance, easing the stress of everyday life. Students will master exercises that can be used both in formal practices and in the midst of activities. KNR405 Tasting Relaxation (FALL: September 6, 2008) The relaxation that comes through Kum Nye (Tibetan Yoga) practice is like a rich nectar that flows through the body and feelings. This workshop presents practices that allow participants to 'taste' this deep relaxation. NPR401 Dream Lotus Evening (counts as half a workshop) (WINTER: February 22, 2008; SPRING: April 18, 2008; FALL: October 17, 2008, 7-9 PM) This workshop offers instruction in dream yoga practice and in practices that relax tension in the throat area. An additional half hour of instruction in the practice will be given to Program students.

 

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