The mindfulness revolution is sweeping the globe, and has much to offer. But as important as mindfulness is, it is limited. This course offers a healthy critique of mindfulness, and a survey of the many meditations that transcend (but include) it. What exactly is mindfulness, and who came up with it? What are the shadow sides of this practice? And how does mindfulness relate to insight meditation (vipassanā)?

There are so many remarkable practices that cultivate the awakened mind and heart, why not engage them all? We have the five nocturnal meditations, analytic meditation, emergency meditations, somatic practices, subtle-body meditations and more. It seems that many people aren't aware of these treasures, and miss out on lost opportunities to bring literally every aspect of their lives onto the path. We'll get a chance to practice many of these meditations, so that during our time together we really get the hang of these time-tested skillful means.

Over the course of four 2-hour sessions, you will be introduced to analytic meditation, tonglen, open awareness, meditation “snacks,” the reverse meditations, and the five nocturnal meditations. We will explore some of the obstacles to meditation, including spiritual bypassing, escapism, spiritual materialism, and McMindfulness. This class will also examine a host of related topics: what is the role of the body on the meditative path, and does therapy have a place? Can meditation help with political upheaval, social unrest, and the ecological crises?

All four sessions of this program will be recorded, and the recordings will be made available to all registrants—those who are able to join the sessions live and those who need to miss any or all sessions. Registrants will have access to the recordings for one month after the course ends.