The Fundamentals of Meditation with Charok Lama (1)

Most people who want to meditate don’t lack motivation, they lack a reliable map. This course provides one. In this course participants are introduced to the foundational principles and practices of Buddhist-derived meditation: what it actually is, how it works, and how to develop a personal practice that holds up outside the cushion. Each class moves between short teachings, guided practice, and time for questions. No prior experience is assumed, and no particular belief is required. Topics covered across the four weeks include the nature and trainability of mind; the distinction between placement and analytical meditation; working with the two main obstacles of agitation and dullness; the role of motivation and intention in shaping what practice develops; an introduction to loving-kindness as both a preparatory practice and an object of meditation in its own right; and the practical conditions — session length, posture, environment, consistency — that allow a personal practice to take root and continue. Participants leave with a concrete, realistic practice plan they can maintain on their own. The course is appropriate for complete beginners as well as those who have meditated on and off and want a more grounded foundation.