|
Introduction
During this SELF- PACED instructor interactive it course will deepen your understanding and experience of various forms of meditation.
Our intention and desire is that you become more passionate about your meditation practice whether you are a novice or have been meditating for years. As you consciously choose to meditate each day you will grow in your spiritual awareness and your consciousness will change for the better.
About the Course
Meditation will be defined and practiced in various ways. Many practices that are called meditation might be better referred to as spiritual practices. Benefits of the various forms of meditation and spiritual practice will be explained as well as methods to deal with resistance to it. You also will find helpful tips concerning initiating a regular meditation practice.
In Unity, the Silence is fundamental to Unity teachings. We are most interested in meditation that supports the opportunity for the Silence to arise spontaneously. Therefore, a generic form of transcendental meditation, Centering Prayer, will be your primary mediation practice for the duration of this course. In addition, other forms of meditation, or spiritual practice, are encouraged as they support one's journey in consciousness. You will have an opportunity to practice several forms of meditation or spiritual practice.
Course Presentation
Faculty will prepare a Learner's Guide for each lesson. The Learner's Guide will include comments about the topic to be studied as well as suggestions about what to look for in the assigned readings. Students will practice various forms of meditation/spiritual practice and report back on their experience.
Questions of special interest to individual students will be answered by e-mail.
|
|
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Define meditation and the Silence.
- Enumerate the many benefits of meditation.
- Know their personal blocks to establishing a meditation practice and how to overcome them.
- Establish a regular meditation practice that leads to the Silence
Required Texts
- Bodian, Stephan, Meditation for Dummies: CD Edition.
Wiley Publishing:
Indianapolis, 2006.
Books of Interest
- The Cloud of Unknowing - According to Wikipedia, this is an anonymous work of Christian mysticism written in Middle English in guide on contemplative prayer and the esoteric techniques and meanings of late medieval monasticism.
|
|
Requirements for Students
Complete Assigned Readings
The reading assignments will not be lengthy. However, the nature of the material requires careful reading and reflection. Reading about related topics in the recommended texts will enhance your understanding of the material but is not required. The really adventurous can find lots and lots of information on the internet about meditation.
Participate in Online Discussions
ThThe discussion forum will not be monitored by your instructor. It is for your interaction with other students. Since this is a self-paced course, we cannot predict if any student will actually choose to use the discussion forum. There may be no activity or it might be very active.
Periodic Online Exams
TThere are periodic online exams.
Final Paper
The primary assignment is to create your own retreat where you invest time in the Silence – both being silent and Practicing the Silence for various periods of time. You may also choose to incorporate other meditation practices/spiritual practices into your retreat. You will then report back by way of a reflection paper on how it went.
|
|
|
Enriching the Experience
Prayer, Reflection and Journaling
Each individual is expected to invest some time in prayer, reflection and journaling. The amount of time invested is certainly up to the individual and will therefore vary from person to person. However, these practices are essential to your understanding and realization of the truths. You will discover that this is your most fulfilling work during the course.
Web Research:
Searching the Web for related information is highly encouraged, and we hope the fruits of your searches will be shared with the rest of the class.
|
|
|
Grading
S (Satisfactory)
NC (No Credit)
IN (Incomplete) an incomplete will be posted until the instructor has
evaluated your paper.
10 course credits are granted on successfully completing the course. |
|
More Information
See class schedule or register now.
Tuition is moderately priced.
Also, make sure you read the technical requirements for this course and review our online learning FAQs.
For information, call Customer Service toll-free at 1-800-248-6489, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (CT). You may also e-mail us at customerservice@unityonline.org.
We invite you to explore our other study programs, including online self-study or the Spiritual Education and Enrichment (SEE) programs held at the Unity Village campus.
|
