Taught by Cyndi Lee

Level 1: October 2-4, 2020
Level 2: February 19-21, 2021
Level 3: TBA

Integral Yoga Institute, New York City

(Please note: this training is NOT associated with Integral’s own programming, so please do not contact them for information or questions.)

Mindfulness meditation is an ancient and relevant method for cultivating self-knowledge and confidence in our own goodness, insight and compassion.  Mindfulness meditation comes from the Buddhist tradition but you do not have to be a Buddhist to learn and benefit from being present with things as they are. Rather than attempting to manipulate our experiences, mindfulness is about cultivating an unbiased mind that is open and can fully meet whatever life offers. 

Mindfulness meditation involves specific techniques to help develop our innate qualities of stability, clarity and strength.  You may find that when you are more in touch with these qualities you also become more mentally confident and emotionally open-hearted, less confused or stuck.

The word, “mindfulness,”comes from the Sanskrit word, Sati, which means “remembering”.  This meditation method is a practice of remembering to bring your attention back to the present when you recognize that it has floated off.  From there, we begin to practice remembering other things, such as being kind to ourself when we bring our attention back.  Remembering that it is always ok to take a fresh start.  We remember that thoughts are a product of our brain and not a bad thing and we remember to be curious and open to all the ingredients of our life. 

It is a simple technique but yet it is deeper than you might think, and so it’s good to study and practice it step-by-step.

Each day will include 1-2 dharma talks, 2-3 meditation sessions, journaling exercises, small group assignments and movement snacks of simple stretching and restorative yoga to reawaken stagnant physical energy.  Traditional walking meditation will be integrated into the program as a bridge practice between formal sitting meditation and the more interactive aspect of our daily life.

Built on her 30 years as a Buddhist practitioner, Cyndi has designed this course to include what are traditionally known as the Two Wings of the Bird:  Study and Practice.

Practice

Level 1:

• detailed instruction and practice of mindfulness meditation (sati)

• detailed sitting posture work (on a cushion or in a chair)

• detailed instruction and practice of Lovingkindness meditation (maitri)

• instruction and practice of walking meditation

• practice mindfulness-in-motion via simple stretching sequences

• practice self-caring through restorative yoga

• contemplative writing exercises

If this sounds serious, don’t worry! One of the greatest benefits of meditation is that it clears the way for joy to appear. In the meantime, all you have to do is show up. Just that.

Required Reading

Please read these books before beginning Level 1:

How to Meditate by Pema Chodron
How to Walk by Thich Nhat Hanh

You will find that Mindfulness Meditation practice helps you connect to your inherent strength, stability and clarity, and these are the tools that we use when teaching meditation to others.

A certificate will be issued upon completion of the course.