Speaking Topics
Talks are guaged meet the needs of beginners and experienced meditators interested in learning the Buddha's original meditation practice and its goals. Using everyday language, content is presented in easy-to-understand terms to aid participants in the development of competency in their practice. Instruction segments are blended with guided and silent practice exercises when time allows followed by concise conclusion of each session.
All presentations provide an overview of subject matter followed by a expose' of the featured topic. A short guided practice session is followed by Q&A and discussion. Summary notes of the material are handed out clarify key points and promote confidence in the practice. 1. Meditation Boot Camp: Buddha’s Original Map for Mindful Living This talk features step-by-step instructions for mindfulness of breathing as described in the discourses of the Buddha. It combines the precise meditation directions along with techniques of how to overcome difficulties that may be encountered. Guided group practices are combined with feedback sessions and coaching. Participants learn:
2. Imperturbable Equanimity: Balancing Mental Factors and Sublime Meditation Experiences This talk features a description of the “Awakening Factors” as they are experienced during meditation. It explains why the Buddha invented the word Samadhi and what it means along with providing a summary of how to apply the awakening factors as a map to advance in the stages of meditation. Included are the four principles of harmonious practice to decondition and overcome obstacles Participants learn:
3. The Stages of Meditation: Demystifying Jhanas and the Brahma Viharas This talk features the importance of attaining deeper stages of meditation widely known as jhana states or states of direct knowledge and serenity. The presentation includes a description and explanation of each jhana stage along with techniques to transition from one stage to another. A practice period includes instructions on how to cultivate and develop to maturity specific mental factors that condition each stage. Participants learn:
4. Yoga and Buddhim: Similarities and Differences This talk compares and contrast Patanjali's Yoga Sutra: called ashtanga, which literally means "eight limbs" and known as the eight limbs of Yoga with the Buddha's Nobel 8 Fold Path articulated in the Maha-Assapura Sutta: The Greater Discourse at Assapura, and the Sammaditthi Sutta: The Discourse on Right View. This expose' is renders the benefits of both systems in practical and useful terms. Participants learn:
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A Short Course Scott A. Jordan
Mindfulness and Calmness Meditation Training provides a short course for the development of mindfulness calmness training skills for daily activities.
(3-hours or 3-consecutive daily sessions) Each session guides participants to recognize and decondition habitual unwholesome moods and mental states while learning to change mental channels. This practice is enjoyable to do and immediately effectlvely with direct application in daily activities such a work, relationships, and driving. Leaning these skills creates an agile attentive mind that is uplifted and responsive. A tool box of techniques allows participants learn at their own rate while effectively cultivating practical skills to apply throughout the day. Sessions include: 1. Explanation and purpose with specific goals 2. Instruction and basic training principles an 3. Guided and silent group practice 5. Walking and hiking practice 6. Q&A with Discussion 7. Conclusion and Closing These sessions are suitable for teens and older with or without previous experience in meditation. |