Introduction to Meditation

In our modern world, we recognize two forms/goals of meditation: spiritual work to find the essential inner self; and respite from the stress of responsibility or challenges of structured activity. Many of today’s yoga practitioners who are interested in meditation turn to Buddhist or mindfulness meditation. These are very useful techniques. However, just as the practice of yoga has developed, so did meditation techniques associated with that development. In this series of practices we will examine the history and development of meditation from the yoga tradition: the stages it went through, the understanding that inspired it, the desired goal, and the techniques that emerged to lead to that goal. We will explore each in turn as well as some variants of current meditation practices.

Join Paul Gilmore Sundays May 5, 19, 26, & June 2 at 4PM!