Saturdays October 30 - December 18 from 1 - 2:30 PM Arizona Time Online via Zoom* No Class Saturday, Nov 27
With the popularization of "mindfulness", much as been lost or distorted. As taught by the Buddha as one limb of his Noble Eightfold Path, it was never meant to be decontextualized from the Path and was never about mere "bare awareness". Sati, the Pali word translated as "mindfulness", relates to remembering; yes, to remember that you are already present here now, and also that the present is always in relation to the past and the future. True mindfulness is relational.
When the Buddha offered his fullest and most explicit instructions in mindfulness, he referred to it as satipatthana and he called it a "direct path to liberation". Often described as four "foundations" or "establishments" of mindfulness, it is perhaps more accurate to think of them as four "domains" to which we are invited to attend: the body, feelings, mind, and dharma. In this seven-week course of study and practice, we will investigate the depth and breadth of the first domain: the body.
Whether you are a seasoned meditator or yoga practitioner or a beginner, this course is designed to ground practice in theory so that you will learn not just how but why we practice mindfulness as the fruit of a fully developed and comprehensive yoga. Obviously, if you are a yoga practitioner or teacher, this domain devoted to ever greater intimacy, awareness, and appreciation of the body as body will be incredibly relevant. The concept of "embodiment" has become quite popular and even a bit "trendy", but the Buddha was 2600 years ahead of the curve, offering a deep dive into the experience of embodiment.
Beginning Saturday, Oct 30th, and ending December 18th, skipping November for Thanksgiving Weekend, and offered on a sliding tuition scale, I believe you will find this course truly "enlightening".
Tuition: $54 - $108. NO ONE TURNED AWAY DUE TO FINANCIAL REASONS To REGISTER: Click on the To REGISTER link, click on SEND and note what course you are signing up for.
What You Will Receive: Each week there will be a talk and discussion about that week's theme related to body practice. You will get to practice a guided meditation, that will be recorded and which you will get to keep, along with some gentle yoga-asana practice based upon that week's theme. Each week you will also receive a handout with notes.
*Each session will be recorded so that if you miss a session, or if you cannot attend live, this course will still be available to you wherever and whenever you wish!