The Joy of Samādhi: Practices to Cultivate Concentration (NM1N24)

Description:

The foundational meditation practice of samatha leads to the state of samādhi, where the mind is undistracted, bright, and spacious. Such sustained practice can culminate in profoundly still states, known as jhāna, where the mind becomes blissfully absorbed in the object of attention.

This practice often conjures up tense effort with a furrowed brow, where a practitioner exerts herculean effort or the force of a mental whip to stop distractions and pull the mind into one-pointedness. Instead of this kind of effort, “collecting” or “calming” the mind are better frames. In this course, we’ll cultivate supportive conditions to calm the beloved puppy of the mind through giving gentle, affectionate directions that are at the same time resolved and steady.

A well-collected mind is more capable of a fresh perspective on its internal psychological processes, and especially, more inclined to the arising of universal, liberating insights. Developing samādhi, to any extent possible, serves as a doorway to liberation.

What is Included in the Course

This self-paced on-demand course includes Dharma talks, meditations, and reflective journaling prompts.

Length: ~5 hours

Course Outline

Section 1: Homepage (Course overview, objectives, orientation)
Intro and Welcome
Intro to the Pāli Canon

Section 2: Samādhi: Unifying Stillness in the Mind & Heart
Practice: No Part Left Out
Talk: How Samādhi Supports Insight
Talk: A Brief History of Samādhi

Section 3: The Eight Conditions of the Practice
Talk: Why Practice Samādhi?
Practice: The Eight Supporting Factors
Talk: Am I There Yet?
Practice: Samādhi Supports Liberation

Section 4: Moving from Theory to Embodiment
Movement: Building Momentum
Practice: A Relaxed Body Calms the Mind

Section 5: Five Jhānic Factors
Talk: The Five Jhānic Factors
Practice: The Eight Part Breath
Movement: Carrying the Eight Part Breath as You Walk

Pricing

Sliding Scale: Our sliding scale options for this program include financial support for our teachers. Please consider paying at the highest rate that you can afford: your generosity supports the teachers as well as Spirit Rock, staff, and your fellow practitioners.

Benefactor – $108
Sustainer – $58
Basic – $48
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, M/K) – $38

All are welcome! No one will be turned away for lack of funds. For more information, please email Registration@spiritrock.org.

Refund Policy: No refund is available for on-demand courses.

Continuing Education (CE) credit available:
This program offers 5 homestudy CE credits for $50 for psychologists, and California licensed MFTs, LCSWs, LEPs, LPCCs, nurses, and chiropractors. Please review our Continuing Education Credit information page to determine if your association or board will accept credits offered by Spirit Rock.*

Teachings are appropriate for health care professionals as well as the general public. Health care providers who engage in the practice of samādhi, a state of deep concentration and meditation, have been shown to experience reduced stress levels and improved emotional well-being. The positive impact of samādhi on overall well-being and mental health can contribute to a healthcare provider’s ability to make sound clinical decisions. Mindfulness practices, including elements of samādhi, contribute to enhanced resilience and decreased burnout among healthcare professionals.

Learning Objectives for participating health care professionals:

At the end of the program you will better able to:

• Describe the goal of concentration practice, and the potential pitfalls;
• Explain the relationship between concentration, mindfulness, and the arising of insight;
• State the supporting factors for concentration/stability of the mind;
• Explain a technique for developing concentration;
• Utilize mindfulness of breathing practices to develop present moment awareness, and to calm the mind in preparation for, and when working with, clients or patients;
• Utilize body awareness practices to deepen listening presence with colleagues, clients, or patients.

Continuing Education Content level: Introductory

*Please note: