Concentration is the first and foremost thing a [practitioner] should acquire.   ~Master Sivananda

This curriculum begins with dharana sadhana, a course in concentration which progressively leads to successful meditation. Meditation occurs as the natural evolution of sustained concentration. It begins with pratyahara …

1 Pratyahara = 10 to 20 seconds of concentration

1 Dharana     = 12 Pratyahara =   2 to 4 minutes

1 Dhyana      = 12 Dharana     = 24 to 48 minutes

1 Samadhi    = 12 Dhyana       = ~5 or more hours

Open to all, this dharana sadhana delivers a simple, direct, and practical progression of exercises which use natural mechanisms to familiarize, steady, and exercise the mind to prepare it for meditation (dhyana). Phase 1 provides foundation understanding for working objectively with mind and body.  Topics include…

1. Basic Tendencies of Mind

2. The ‘Will’

3. Four Mechanisms of Thought

4. Exercise: Habit of Return

Dharana Sadhana          1:00^PM to 2:00^PM

Phase 1 – Jan 28,   $15.00,   $80.00 for the entire course

Phase 2 – Feb 25

The Nature of Attention

Exercise: Timed Focus

Phase 3 – Mar 25

Stochastic Mind

Habitual and Intentional Mood

Exercise: Habit of Recall

Phase 4 – Apr 22

Applied Concentration

Motivation

Obstacles

Mind/Body Synergy

Exercise: Modifying Sensation

Phase 5 – May 20

Perception & Cognition

Self Management (Jivana Vidhana)

Exercise: Redirecting Mood

Phase 6 – Jun 17

Exercise: Sequential; Assembly & Manipulation; Mental Command

Introduction to Meditation

Shamatha – Calm / Composure  (4 weeks)

Vipashyana – Clear / Insight  (4 weeks)

Tantric Methods – Body / Energy as Focus