Meditation Training
6.00 to 7.30pm - Fridays 4 Weeks
Cost: $120.00
- Starting Date: Fridays 27th February & 30th October
- Booking & prepayment essential
- Enrolment Form Click Here
Before one can meditate, he/she must be able to still the mind and relax the
body. The body must be trained to remain deeply relaxed and motionless, the
mind to be highly focused, only then meditation will take place. So, we gradually
practice and master the steps, which lead to a meditational state:
- Pratyahara - sense withdrawal (inner focus/mind training)
- Dharana - concentration (developing one-pointedness)
- Dhyana - meditation (uninterrupted flow of concentration)
The course is designed to train the mind to remain centered and focused during
the sitting, in view of giving a strong foundation for the practice of any kind
of meditation. We will cover different techniques for sitting in meditation plus Asanas (postures) in preperation to sitting, relaxation training, Pranayama (breathing) and Yoga Nidra (psychic sleep).
Each week your practice of meditation is increased so that by the end of 4
weeks you are able to sit in meditation for up to 30 minutes. Depth of meditational
state is increased through practice. Students are encouraged to set apart some
time for home practice each day in between training to enhance and deepen their
experience of meditation.
Each sitting starts with focused concentration of a maximum of 10 minutes followed
by meditation. The meditation time is built over the 4 weeks from 5 to 30 minutes.
The student is asked to practice at home whatever sitting time & techniques
were practiced at each training session. By the end of the course you will have
acquired enough practical knowledge to continue with your meditation at home
and to build on to what you have learnt.
THE BENEFITS OF MEDITATION
Meditation is a state of relaxed awareness. It is a journey to self-discovery.
It opens the doors to intuitional knowledge. It clarifies the mind, makes it
calm and steady. It regulates the emotions, cleanses the mind of impurities
by developing strong and pure thoughts. Research shows that meditation reduces
stress and regulates blood pressure, and is also effective in helping with psychological
conditions such as compulsions and anxiety. Meditation relaxes the body and
promotes mental and emotional balance, a peaceful state that enhances well-being.
Meditation for Study
A relaxed and focused mind will not only increase absorption and retention of information
but it will also improve memory recall. Stress and anxiety can greatly undermine
a student's performance. Often the stress is carried through weeks prior to the
exam while preparing for it. Because meditation sharpens your concentration
and your thinking power it is a very useful tool for anyone studying for exams.
It helps to keep the mind relaxed and highly focused in study periods, hence
increased information absorption and retention. It also helps in times of exams
when knowledge needs to be retrieved with accuracy. Again the mind is allowed
to relax and expand in order to let the information come back to the surface.
Meditation for Stress Management
Stress is responsible for many health problems such as, headaches, insomnia,
muscular tension, indigestion, nervous breakdown, peptic ulcer, heart disease,
depleted energy, addictions, short memory loss, eczema, low immune system, depression,
irritability and migraine to name a few, as well as family break ups and unbalanced
family environments. Regular practice of meditation will help clear and relax
the mind as well as restore inner balance. Meditation brings the mind to a state
of tranquility and awareness and teaches to let go and surrender to the silence
and stillness within. In this state of expanded awareness we are more able to
see clearly and discard unnecessary thoughts and concerns. Meditation for stress
management is deeply calming and energizing to the mind.
Meditation for Healing
Research shows that people who take up meditation to assist in the process
of healing fare better than those who do not. Meditation helps to restore emotional
balance and it supports the body's natural healing process. Physical/mental/emotional
stress lowers the immune system and depletes one of vital energy. In meditation
blockages can be released, healing energy flows freely and stress is kept at
bay.
Meditation for Self-enhancement
In meditation as you observe your self with detachment you come to see who
you really are without illusion and judgment. It teaches you to watch with honesty
the functioning of your own mind in a calm and detached manner. With practice
you are able to gain insight into your own behaviour. Your unconscious motives
become clear to you. Surrender and acceptance is the first positive step to
change and self transformation. Meditation can then be utilised to instill new
patterns of behaviour and mental habits (working with anger, over-reaction, cravings,
self discipline etc..). Using meditation for self-improvement is very empowering.
You become in charge. The master of your thoughts and behaviours.
Meditation for Problem Solving
A meditative state stimulates right hemisphere brain activity associated with the creative
mind and intuition. States of deep relaxation and state of focus & relaxed awareness
bring mental clarity, open up the mind to greater vision, and allow access
to our inner resources for answers, assisting in decision making.
Meditation for Sports
Athletes use the tools of sport psychology, visualization, affirmation, relaxation and many
similar techniques before a game or preparing for it to enhance their focus,
centeredness and increase their performance. Meditation trains the mind to remain
focused on one object of concentration, it keeps the mind in the present moment
and increases awareness. Meditation teaches detachment and centeredness and
when the mind remains centered the emotions are steady and remain undisturbed
whatever distraction may arise. The mind is kept on the game, free from disturbing
thoughts or emotions which can affect performance.
Meditation for Spiritual Advancement
To live ethically, harmoniously and with stability and to liberate oneself
from attachment and desires. To become aware inside and outside, to be totally
aware in all circumstances. To experience true happiness by the cessation of
suffering caused by the mind.
"The mind is restless and hard to control, but it can be trained by constant
practice and by freedom from desire. The self-controlled man can attain divine
communion if he tries hard and directs his energy by the right means"
"A lamp does not flicker in a place where no winds blow, so it is with a
yogi, when his mind, intellect and self are under control freed from restless
desire he unites with God."
Bhagavad Gita
"When the senses are stilled, when the mind is at rest, when the intellect
wavers not, then, say the wise, is reached the highest stage. He who attains
this steady control of the senses and mind is free from delusion"
Kathopanishad
Meditation in Your Life
Meditation is a state of heightened awareness. Sitting is not the only way
you can practice meditation. For training and deeper work you sit, but you can
also meditate while washing the dishes, walking, eating etc.. Experience the
state of meditation in your daily life, to be fully present and absorbed, just
like a young child in their play.
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