Learn to Meditate - 8 Steps to Stillness

Description

Learn to meditate with this extraordinarily practical and thorough program developed by Swami Shantananda. 

The Australian College of Classical Yoga is, as the name implies, a school of traditional Yoga.  Though most think Yoga is about exercise, traditionally the essential practice of Yoga is stillness of mind.  The 8 Steps to Stillness program teaches this necessary practice.  However, stillness is not limited to Yoga - anyone can practice meditation and experience the benefits of a healthy, non-stressed mind.

In the 8 Steps to Stillness program there is no philosophy, doctrine, New Age concepts or religion - learning to quiet the chattering mind is the whole scope of the course.  The aim is to find your way into a thought-free state or, at least, a state of disentanglement from thinking.  You will be encouraged to establish a practice that you can continue independently, without the necessity of aids or props, or becoming reliant on a guide.

After you have learned to meditate, we make available a continuing group of Yoga-orientated meditators for those with an established practice of stillness.

What is meditation?

Meditation is stillness of mind.  Keeping the mind still for regular periods gradually brings about a fundamental change.  By practicing stillness, eventually a curious thing happens - you begin to see the mind as an object, instead of seeing it as yourself.  You see the things it does, and you realise that the awareness feels more like your real self than your thoughts and feelings.  It is deeper and richer and more stable, and much more contented.

If meditation is stillness of mind, what implications are there?

In a state of stillness, there is no certainty, no taking control, no being right or wrong.  In fact, there is no being anything - there's just being!  The mind isn't used to that.  Meditation then, is a practice in letting go of the activity and constructs of the mind, accepting and ultimately perceiving reality just as it is.  We may find, to our surprise, that reality is more interesting and less threatening than our opinions about it, and that happiness is our natural state, not just an occasional mood.  We find a little chuckle bubbling away inside ourselves, and realise that the state of stillness is a rich experience of contentment.

Note:  If you are under the care of a mental health professional, you must get his or her approval before enrolling in the program.

For bookings and further details, contact Rob on 03 9833 4050 or email robert@classicalyoga.com.au