Ten Weeks of Applied Meditation – 2019
Is It Time to Change
the Way You Experience Your Life?
As a frontline clinician, I see the ravages of chronic stress, pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression and/or insomnia in almost every patient I meet. Stress makes your immune system misbehave, it weakens your digestion, messes up your sleep and puts your li
ver and kidneys on overtime.
One of the best choices any of us can make is to learn some stress reduction practices or engage in some regular meditation practice. Qi Gong, Yoga and Mindfulness practices are so popular because of how a dedicated and regular practice can change your life.
Ancient traditional wisdom, common sense, and modern science will all tell you that meditation is an ESSENTIAL component of reducing stress and improving your health. I have been an active meditator for over 40 years. I can say without reservation, that meditation is the most powerful resource that I have ever encountered.
Why Meditate?
Imagine for a moment some ancient mystic, shaman, healer, warrior, or philosopher. Someone you think of as having a pretty good grasp on reality. Now picture them closing their eyes and connecting to some inner reservoir, creating an alignment with a very refined state of being, a place that we all seem to know instinctually as a respite from doubt or worries, a place of wisdom.
The practice of meditation goes as far back in human history as the experience of being confused. The need to focus the mind and become very aware of our environment, and ourselves, is as old as survival itself. Meditation is the natural antidote for confusion and stress. The busier and more intense life gets, the more we need a way to come down or come back to our more deeply aware and contented self. This doesn’t mean we need to meditate one hour for every hour we are busy. Rather, that we need to relearn how to respond to stress and confusion, to respond in a way that allows us to feel content. Being truly content is different for everyone, but stress and confusion are universal, especially today.
Ever Heard of Neuro-Plasticity?
A funny thing happens to your neuro-pathways or the way your brain remembers you if you keep repeating the same behavior over a long enough period of time. Some call it muscle memory, others call it adaptability. Either way, it is good to know that, with some focus and attention, anyone can tangibly improve their response to stress. This adaptive response is called neuro-plasticity, the process your brain and nervous system go through when you learn a new skill or reflex.
Yes, you can learn to change your reflexive reactions to the world around you. And yes, that is a very big deal.
Why Ten Weeks?
It has been my experience, as an athlete, as a coach, and as a doctor, that there is a consistent ten-week threshold or barrier for both the athletes and patients that I work with. I started calling it the Neural-Rigidity wall. It turns out almost everyone who is training, cleansing, meditating, building muscle or burning fat hits a speed-bump in their progress around week nine or ten. The people who get past week ten almost always feel a positive shift in the direction they are going. This is because the nervous system ‘remembers’ the body the way it is now. Pretty Cool!
We are going to get through that first big hurdle together.
Learn more about the ten-week rule here.
What is Applied Meditation?
There are as many ways to meditate as there are minds who seek peace. Having said that, there are three very distinct branches of meditation to choose from. They are all essential to complete and fruitful practice.
Just like the ancient Yin and Yang symbol, a fulfilling and comprehensive meditation practice has an active/passive or masculine/feminine mode. Neither of these qualities is superior, in fact, it is the balance of both that generates the most consistent growth and healing.
A mind can be compared to a TV screen, it will show you anything. If you choose presence, kindness, patience, and compassion, you will see your life and the world around you that way. If you leave your mind (what happens on your inner TV) up to your programming, or the conditioning you received from your parents, friends, surviving high school and the famous people you look up to. Conditioning is a VERY powerful thing!
When most people think of meditation, especially with respect to the TV analogy, the objective is simply to sit, breathe, relax and wait for the screen to go blank – or at least show us images of God or some other source of Love and Enlightenment. It is definitely possible to have a clear and pure mind, to have visions that confirm our deepest Truths and Beliefs and to experience profound breakthroughs in our relationship with being and Sentient Being. Historically, those experiences are more likely to happen to those who live a monastic life.
That is not to say that only monks can become enlightened, just that those of us living an overstimulating modern life will have to focus on all three meditation styles
An excellent example of the masculine and feminine characteristics of meditation goes like this. Consider the ‘Gods’ or Deities Krishna and Gaia. Krishna, a Hindu God, advocates cultivating a style of consciousness and meditation that looks a warrior with a powerful sword that can cut through all illusion and delusion. Stand strong, face your fears and demons while cutting through any thoughts or distractions. While Gaia, the consciousness ascribed to Mother Nature, has given birth to and watched the annihilation of most of her children (98% of all species that have ever existed are extinct). Imagine a mythical and always pregnant mother giving birth to all that has ever lived, embracing the Beauty and the suffering equally and totally for all time.
Applied Meditation, as a distinct practice, tends to focus on the extremes as well as the balance between the masculine and feminine. The genuine and spontaneous moments of stillness, peace, and clarity can be a refreshing respite from the ‘work’ of rewiring your Mind, opening your Heart and gazing into the vast depths of your Soul.
What Kind of Meditation works for you?
Let’s find out together…
Our Journey begins with the tangible experience called Embodiment. We will learn some basic Qi Gong (chi kung) movements to explore what sensations you carry in your body. As we prepare ourselves for a dedicated Rite of Passage of Applied Consciousness, it only seems wise to check in with your somatic, or felt-sense experience of pain, exhaustion, past trauma, shame, worry, illness, and rage. Then we go deeper into shifting our state, getting grounded and get familiar with stillness and discomfort through standing meditation. Next, we will learn to ‘keep our seat’ with the practice of Chan (Zen) seated meditation. This will be followed by an exploration of releasing trauma and restoring your deeper Energy Body with Lying Meditation.
Now that you are familiar with most forms of meditation it is time to commit to an Awareness Frequency Practice – or a commitment to stay ‘tethered’ to your practice all day, every day. For ten days, anyway. Walking meditation is our next adventure. Walking is good exercise and a good metaphor for moving through things. we will learn some traditional Daoist Walking Meditation practices as well as a practice called Voice Dialoguing – a way to make friends with some of the weirder voices in your head.
It has been said that breathing is a great metaphor for living. Our next adventure will be mastering each of the muscles that help you breathe while learning some advanced breathing methods from around the world. With deeper breath-work come deeper shifts in state and perception, so it only seems wise to delve into the realm of Shamanism and Shamanic Meditation and Prayer practices.
In most traditional cultures, people go through Rites of Passage to be accepted as adults or acknowledged as a Healer or Warrior. Applied Meditation is really about Applied Consciousness, so you will have a chance to design and complete a Rite of Passage that fits into your life and your needs. We will finish the program with an exploration of the most sacred thing in your life – your Sacred Autonomy.
10 Weeks of Applied Meditation
~ Course Overview ~
Week One ~ Moving Meditation
Our Journey begins with the tangible experience called Embodiment. We will learn some basic Qi Gong (chi kung) movements to explore what sensations you carry in your body. As we prepare ourselves for a dedicated Rite of Passage of Applied Consciousness, it only seems wise to check in with your somatic, or felt-sense experience of pain, exhaustion, past trauma, shame, worry, illness, and rage.
With some gentle, fluid and repetitive movements, you will become more aware of your posture, breath, focus and any latent emotion you are still holding onto. It is the most sensible beginning to a consciousness practice and will prepare you for the more challenging practices to come. And it feels AMAZING!
Week Two ~ Standing Meditation
Our second practice will be standing meditation. Inner transformation requires inner resolve. If you feel that you are easily distracted or addicted social media, if you have tried to meditate in the past and get bored or feel that you are missing out, then a week or two of standing still is just the thing for you. After getting a feel for your bodies inner world, it is best to develop a gradual relationship with stillness. Standing meditation (Zhan Zhuang) is a perfect interplay between comfort and discomfort, or between stillness and stiffness.
Week Three ~ Seated Meditation
Week three will introduce you to some seated meditation practices of Asia. Seated Meditation (Zuo Chan) is known worldwide for its ability to heal Hearts and Minds. You are encouraged to commit 20 – 30 minutes per day of sitting still, focusing on your breath, your posture, and your inner dialogue. There are many reasons why seated meditation is the most common form of practice. Sitting with poise, patience, relaxation, and openness allows for a deep inquiry into the experience of being sentient. It is also the most medically studied form of meditation, so the proof of the benefits are abundantly clear.
Week Four ~ Lying Meditation
Although Qi Gong is good for health and longevity in general, there are certain practices that are specific and therapeutic. Have you heard the expression, “Just let go!” Well, letting go is the most active form of Spiritual practice there is. In Week four you will learn the fine art of releasing memories and habits out of your Body, Heart, and Soul while lying in your bed (or anywhere you like). The process of getting ready for a night of deep sleep is a form of meditation, being mindful that you are going to lie down with the intention to practice an Applied Meditation. Lying meditation is profound a gift to those who have a hard time falling asleep, as well as to those who need to release the past from their lives.
Week Five ~ Awareness Frequency Practices
Our next adventure in Mindfulness is called an Awareness Frequency Practice. This is a real game changer for anyone who needs to maintain their calm throughout the day. There are many ways to explore this practice, but the most common approach is to find a place to become very still, both inside and out every hour or two. You can do this in the washroom, in a lineup, while waiting, or while doing paperwork.
This practice can also be applied to specific locations, tasks or people. I like to use doorways as a reminder to be present and apply a certain intention.
Week Six ~ Walking Meditation
In order to deepen your awareness and Qi Gong practice, you will need to learn the Fundamentals of meridian theory and the essentials of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
During our sixth week of Applied Meditation, we will explore stillness in motion, or walking meditation. Movement, rhythm, and flow are all it takes to dance. Walking meditation is very much like dancing, just in a gentle and contemplative manner.
Week Seven ~ Daoist Breath-Work
During week seven, our focus will move towards breath-work. Mastering your breath is like mastering any other skill. People who experience a lot of stress and pain or those with poor posture tend to have restricted breathing. A theme that we will continue to return to is the awareness of how you remember yourself. Also, at least 80% of how you remember yourself is how your body experiences itself. As you improve your mind/body memory, especially how expansively and powerfully you breathe, your patients and confidence will also expand.
Week Eight ~ Shamanic Meditation and Prayer
During our eighth week of deep inner transformation, you will dip your toes into the deep pond of Shamanic meditation. You will explore three fundamental Shamanic practices. The first is drumming. Don’t worry, if you don’t have a drum there is an audio-file of just the right kind of rhythm to either play along with – or just listen to. There is a mountain of scientific research on this practice, specifically a process called auditory drive. The second Shamanic practice is called Recapitulation. This is a process for reviewing and changing your perspective on your past and on the meaning of your life. Nothing encourages compassion for others like compassion for yourself. The third practice is called Shape Shifting, and no, you are not going to try and turn into an animal. We will, however, explore how the life-way of certain animals can guide you on your own journey in life.
Week Nine ~ Meditation and Rites of Passage
Week nine of our journey will ask you to meditate for an hour every day for ten days. You can choose any style of meditation that you have learned so far, or feel free to choose any style that is the most beneficial for you. If this doesn’t fit into your life, find room for this as soon as you can.
Week Ten ~ Your Sacred Autonomy
Our final week of learning together is called Coming Home to Your Self. This is a very important week for those who are still uncertain if meditation is going to be for you in the long-term. During your day-to-day life, you will be asked to stay present to your sense of Autonomy, and everyone other Being you encounter. During your meditation practice, again – choose the style yourself, you will be asked to explore the Daoist practice called San Bao – or the Three Treasures.
Are You Feeling Called to a Committed Meditation Practice?
If you are looking to begin a meditation practice, reawaken an old and stale practice or just try something different then this course is for you. Every week you will learn a unique form or aspect of meditation, as well as discussing the bigger picture of that part of our journey towards self-awareness. Ancient parables, modern wisdom teachings, and traditional First Nation’s teachings and stories will also be shared. Afterward, you will receive a recording for later review or if you cannot attend the live class.
This is the first time I have offered this training in this way, so it should be fresh and fun. You can access the classes live online or watch a recording later. Please keep in mind that this is a training and there will be a lot of ‘teaching’ and just enough practice to ensure you feel confident in each aspect of your practice. I created this program to support people with developing a lifelong meditation practice. Meditation is usually a very solo practice.
Begin Your 10 Weeks of Applied Meditation Today!
Are You Ready to Change Your Life?
Are You Feeling Confident that Meditation is Your Medicine?
Are You Committed to a Regular Practice?
Are You Interested in Learning Almost EVERY form of Meditation?
Register Now, as space is limited!
[maxbutton id=”1″ text=”Cost: $247″ ]
There will be a private facebook group so you can share your highs and lows while learning from the experience of others. It is also a great place to ask any questions that may come up.
As a community of peers who choose meditation as a core life practice, we need to stay connected. To learn more about mindfulness and relaxation, please enjoy the following article:
Reflections on Mindfulness