2010 - SANSKRIT & YOGA MASTERY PROGRAM:
Being the Yogi™ - Immersion in Vedic Meditation

Being the Yogi™ — Immersion in Vedic Meditation Practices

This course is taken live, in-person
Total Hours of Classroom Instruction: 40
Meeting Times: 12:00 - 2:00 pm
2010 Activity Dates: One Saturday per Quarter
Course begins with Personal Instruction & Initiation January 12 - 15, 2010, 12 - 2 pm each day

Personal Instruction & Initiation - 8 hrs    • January 12 13 14 15

Weekly Group Meditations - 10 hrs (select a minimum of 5 sessions to attend; 6:30 - 8:30 pm)    • January 21 28       Thursdays - 6:30-7:30 pm    • February 4 11* 18 25*   Thursdays - 6:30-8:30 pm *Time change - 12-2pm    • March 5* 12* 19* 26*   *Wednesdays - 6:30-8:30 pm    • April 1 8 15 22 29 Thursdays - 6:30-8:30 pm    • May 6         Thursdays - 6:30-8:30 pm    • September 9 16 23 30   Thursdays - 6:30-8:30 pm    • October 7 14 21 28   Thursdays - 6:30-8:30 pm    • November 4 11 18     Thursdays - 6:30-8:30 pm    • December 2 9       Thursdays - 6:30-8:30 pm

Quarterly Forest Academies - 32 hrs    • March 6 (9:00 am -5:00 pm*) Silent meditation retreat  *includes 1 hr Ayurvedic lunch break    • June 12 (9:00 am -5:00 pm*) Silent meditation retreat *includes 1 hr Ayurvedic lunch break    • September 4 (9:00 am -5:00 pm*) Silent meditation retreat *includes 1 hr Ayurvedic lunch break    • December 4 (9:00 am -5:00 pm*) Silent meditation retreat *includes 1 hr Ayurvedic lunch break

Course Curriculum Outline:

• Developing a Practice of Meditation - Personal instruction and guidance in effortless meditation, passed down from ancient Vedic Meditation Masters;
• Honoring the Practice - Developing abhyasa, one's personal practice, check-ups with effortlessness and correctness of practice. Developing the regimen and routine. Establishing the proper setting and understanding to deal with obstacles on the path to practice. Exploring the effects of the practice within the body-mind complex and the environment.
• Advanced Pratyahara - Instruction in practices to facilitate effortlessness and quieting of the mind-body system, balancing the gunas and doshas, affects of food, company and environment on the practice.
• Consciousness and the Nervous System - Understanding the mechanics of meditation and the removal of stress, toxins and other blocks to our system, improving health and well-being
• Silent Forest Academies - Intensive, in-depth practice through weekend silent meditation retreats involving "rounding", a practice of asana, pranayama and meditation that is repeated throughout the weekend and profoundly develops the student's consciousness, inner stillness and deep contact with the Self.

This course provides an in-depth direct experience in the practice of Vedic meditation which assists students in developing an ongoing sustainable discipline of meditation. In the first week of the program, students receive personal instruction and initiation in a Vedic meditation technique called the Blissful Wave Technique ™ which is practiced for 20 minutes twice daily (morning & evening).

In subsequent weeks students are invited to attended group meditations offered at no charge for reinforcement in their practice and to check in on their progress with establishing regular practice. During these sessions students practice meditation within a group, have their questions answered concerning any obstacles that may arise in their practice and are provided additional classes on consciousness and their nervous system. Throughout the program students receive reinforcement and additional instructions in advanced techniques which support the establishment of regular practice of daily meditation. Students should attend at least 5 group meditation sessions to fulfill the allotted credit hours for this module.

Quarterly, students partake in deep experiences of extended meditation practice under the guidance of a skilled meditation master, as part of a restful Silent Forest Academy Program which aids in developing the Yogi's ability for go deeper in their practice. Referred to by Patanjali as Reposing in Being (or relaxing in the Silent Self), these quarterly retreats help to eliminate fatigue, stress, and other blocks in the nervous system while refreshing and uplifting the students overall well being and clarity of awareness. Additional discussions in these retreats cover topics related to expanding awareness and experience of higher states of consciousness (Being) that are described in Vedic and Upanishadic texts as a natural result of meditation.

Developing a consistent, regular practice of meditation helps the Yogi to integrate truth as it is expressed in each component of the Sanskrit & Yoga Mastery program. Participants gain a firm foundation in establishing a holistic daily sadhana that enlivens all aspects of the student's inner and outer values of life.