Schedule of Meditation Classes in 2010...

Please note: No additional class dates are set at this time.  Due to Linda's regular work schedule and her commitment to again deepen her own intensive meditation practice, she is temporarily suspending the teaching of classes at this time.

• Metta Meditation Class taught by Linda McDonald

Dates to be announced.

 

• Introductory Vipassana Meditation Class taught by Linda McDonald

Dates to be announced.

• "Working with the Difficult Stuff" Meditation Class taught by Linda McDonald

Dates to be announced.

 

About Meditation Classes ...

Each class includes a teaching talk, guided meditation practice, a question and answer period, and a homework assignment. Between classes, telephone coaching is available from the teacher.

Vipassana meditation is a simple and direct practice, the moment-to-moment investigation of the mind/body process through calm and focused awareness.  The practice originates in the Theravada tradition of the teachings of the Buddha.  Learning to observe experience from a place of stillness enables one to relate to life with less fear and clinging.  Seeing life as a constantly changing process, one begins to accept pleasure, pain, fear, joy, and all aspects of life with increasing equanimity and balance.  As insight deepens, wisdom and compassion arise.  Vipassana meditation is a way of seeing clearly the totality of one’s being and experience.  Growth in clarity brings about penetrating insight into the nature of who we are and increased peace in daily life.

Metta or lovingkindness meditation cultivates our ability to connect with and care in a rare unconditional way, for ourselves and others. Our hearts' capacity for patience, acceptance, compassion and forgiveness becomes boundless. With an inner and outer environment of safety our hearts and minds can open fearlessly. The result of this practice is an ever deepening stillness, from which the truth of life can be recognized clearly. Metta practice is a sturdy foundation for the wisdom practice of insight. Vipassana and metta are mindfulness practices originally taught by the Buddha.

Specific to the Introductory Vipassana Meditation Classes ...

In each Introductory Vipassana Meditation Class Series the fundamentals of Vipassana meditation will be offered, including working with physical sensations, understanding and working with emotions, working with thoughts, and developing balance. 

The following themes will also be covered:

Class One: What Vipassana is and Why Bother

Class Two: The Tools of Meditation

Class Three: The Dark Forces of the Mind

Class Four: The Light Forces of the Mind

Class Five: Bringing the Mind Home

 

Specific to the "Working with the Difficult Stuff" Meditation Classes ...

In each "Working with the Difficult Stuff" Vipassana Meditation Class Series the fundamentals of Vipassana meditation will be reviewed and the following themes will also be covered:

Class One: The Gross and Subtle Hindrances to Wisdom

Class Two: Working with Doubt: Balancing Wisdom and Faith

Class Three: Balancing Effort and Concentration

Class Four: Embracing the Seasons of Us: Working with Difficult Emotions

Class Five: Working with Reactivity and Attachment: Strengthening Mindfulness and Wisdom

Specific to the Metta Meditation Classes ...

In each Metta Meditation Class Series the fundamentals of Metta meditation will be taught and the following themes will be highlighted: 

Class One: Fundamentals of Metta and Seeing our Goodness through the Kindness Mirror of the Benefactor

Class Two: Expanding the Circles of Kindness

Class Three: Learning to work with Metta Hindrances and Dissolving our Conditioned Barriers

Class Four: Metta as Concentration Practice

Class Five: Metta as Parami Practice