Meant for individuals who have already participated in an introductory SIT course. Intermediate courses are designed to support deepening understanding into the various aspects and practices of Mindfulness.
Mindfulness is the practice of cultivating purposeful present moment awareness without judgment to the experiences that are arising inwardly as well as outwardly. As we learn to cultivate mindfulness within we can begin to see the transformation of the things in our life that cause us stress. We begin to learn to relate to our difficulties if life with more openness, compassion, and acceptance.
Depending on the chosen theme, the span of each Intermediate course will vary between 4 and 6 weeks. The structure of this course is to meet consecutively once a week for classes that last 2 hours each week. Participants are given home-practice assignments; beginning with 10 minute mindfulness meditations and build up to 30 minutes mindfulness meditations over the course, as well as everyday life mindfulness practices. Each class will be a combination of practice, lecture, group feedback and discussion. The class is taught in a supportive community that consists of no more than 20 participants. This class is open to people of all age, background and religion.
Course Themes:
- The Five Barriers to Practice (Desire, Aversion, Tiredness/Dullness, Restlessness/ Agitation, and Doubt)
- The Heart Practices (Loving Kindness, Compassion, Joy & Equanimity)
- Mindfulness of the Senses
- Mindfulness of Feeling Tones
- Mindfulness of Emotions & Thoughts
- Mindful Communication & Dialog
- Living Mindfulness in Everyday Life
- The 3 Characteristics of Experience (Impermanence, Dissatisfaction/Suffering & Changing Sense of Self)