CON 514 Meditation Techniques

Instructor: Geoff Byrd, M.S.

Course Description:

Learn to meditate through the use of a variety of symbols & techniques taken from various religions and ancient mystical practices, which have been adapted for use in contemporary lifestyles. Experienced meditators develop improved physical, mental & emotional states of being, which promote deeper and broader awareness of one’s connections to a higher, awakened consciousness.

The ultimate and absolute aim of meditation is direct apperception of Truth characterized by a silent mind, which is known by many names but may perhaps best be described as Self/No-Self, and is a very rare attainment. In the meantime there is value in learning and practicing some of the knowledge and methods that humankind has come to know and use for the benefit of themselves and others from antiquity and into the present.

Instructor Information:

Geoff Byrd, M.S., Medical College of Virginia, Integrative Health Educator, Meditation Teacher, Matrix Energetics Practitioner and Study Group Leader, CSETI Ambassador, Graduate of the Center for Mind Body Medicine and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Winchester, Virginia. Email PerfectPeaceNow@aol.com

Required Text and Learning Materials:

Required: Venerable Henepola Gunaratana: Mindfulness in Plain English.

Plus one or more of the following:

• Adyashanti: 1. The End of Your World, 2. Emptiness Dancing, 3. Falling into Grace.
• Gangaji: The Diamond in Your Pocket.
• Pema Chodron: Good Medicine: How to Turn Pain Into Compassion with Toglen Meditation.

Course Objectives:

• To become familiar with basic meditation practices and techniques.
• To establish a regular, ongoing, daily sitting &/or walking meditation practice.
• To extend meditation practices and states of mindfulness into daily activities.
• To be able to explain the practical uses of meditation as a life style practice for health, wellness, and healing.
• To comprehend, through direct experience, ones true nature, a natural state rather than an “altered state of consciousness”.

Course Topics:

Meditation Basics; FAQs; Benefits of Meditation: Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual Awakening; Purposes and Types of Meditation: Relaxation, Stress Management, Healing, Health and Wellness, Intuitive & Psychic Development; Methods and Techniques; Integration with other fields of Holistic Heath, Mind Body Medicine, Addiction Recovery, Weight Loss, Psychic Experiences, and Extraterrestrial Contact.

Course Format:

Readings; Audio Lectures, Meditations and Entrainments, Video Demonstrations, PowerPoint Presentations, Assessments.

Assignments:

Readings and audios downloaded or on-line, meditation logs and journaling, forum discussions.

Assessments:

Evaluative Self Report Forms and Interviews with Teacher.

Course Calendar:

Students have twelve weeks to complete this course.

Grading:

90-100 = A, 89-80 = B, 79-70 = C, 69-60 = D