Principles of Mindfulness Meditation

Founder and principal instructor: Thanh V. Huynh, M.D. 

Certification: A non-credit certificate of course completion will be issued to those requesting it (by emailing Dr Huynh upon satisfactorily completing the course).

Cost: Free (Donation to a non-profit organization such as Vipassana Hawaii, Vipassana Metta Foundation, GreenPeace or Doctors Without Borders... is appreciated)

REGISTER FOR FREE HERE.

OUR MISSION

This online course is designed to make mindfulness practice available to people who find it impractical to attend regularly scheduled courses outside of their home.

HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE?

All one needs is twenty to forty minutes a day for the formal meditation practice and to be mindful during other routine daily activities.

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?

Participants access the forum with a computer or smart-phone, practice and report at a time that is convenient for them.

Catalog Description

Mindfulness Meditation and related practices

  • Eight weekly units of online instruction on the theory and practice.

  • Daily exercise/meditation practice with audio/video-guided instruction.
    (Daily practice increasing from 10-15 minutes in the first week to 20-45 minutes in the last week.)

  • Informal application of mindfulness in daily life.

  • Internet forum for interaction with the instructor(s) and other international participants.
    (There is no set time. The practice and forum participation can be done at any time chosen by participants)

 

Course Objectives:

 

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:
1) Differentiate various meditation techniques including concentration/relaxation versus insight/mindfulness.
2) Understand mindfulness with its four foundations/aspects (1. body/kaya, 2. feeling-tone/vedana, 3. consciousness/citta and 4. phenomena/dhamma), and how to establish it.
3) Independently practice by applying mindfulness in formal meditation and in daily life.
4) Describe the practice and benefits of mindfulness meditation.

 

Course Content:

 

1) Introduction to meditation
2) Common meditation techniques. Difference (and similarity) between concentration/relaxation and insight/mindfulness.
3) Medical applications of mindfulness practice.
4) Definition and components of mindfulness.
5) Factors influencing the practice.
6) Concept and reality.
7) Techniques of mindfulness meditation:

  • Attitude for practice

  • Working with the body and the mind
    (including pleasant/unpleasant feeling tone, intention, beautiful/unwholesome mental quality)

  • Sitting

  • Walking

  • Eating

  • Mindfulness in daily life

  • Loving-kindness, forgiveness, gratitude.

  • Non-harming commitment

 

Methods of Instruction:

 

Online (flexible schedule) including:

  • Written material

  • Audio-guided instruction

  • Video instruction

  • Discussion Forum for reports/comments, Q&A