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Laura Goellner E-RYT, C-IAYT

This course starts with the most important  This includes how to handle distraction, how to find a comfortable position and how to physically prepare yourself before meditation.  Without these basic skills beginners can become frustrated and often give up ...thinking "I am just not good at meditation". If you have ever had that thought then this course is for you.   We will learn the skills and tricks that can help everyone to become "successful" meditators and reap the numerous benefits of regular meditation practice.

The Lecture Topics include: 

- What is Meditation

- Concentration Vs. Meditation

Read more

This course starts with the most important  This includes how to handle distraction, how to find a comfortable position and how to physically prepare yourself before meditation.  Without these basic skills beginners can become frustrated and often give up ...thinking "I am just not good at meditation". If you have ever had that thought then this course is for you.   We will learn the skills and tricks that can help everyone to become "successful" meditators and reap the numerous benefits of regular meditation practice.

The Lecture Topics include: 

- What is Meditation

- Concentration Vs. Meditation

- How to Handle Distraction

- Using Self-Reflection Questions

- 6 Techniques for a Successful Meditation Practice

- 4 Ways to Prepare for Meditation Practice

- Movement Before Stillness

- The Major Types of Meditation

- Meditation Journaling

- Making Meditation Part of Daily Life

- Keeping up the Momentum in your Practice

Once you have the foundation skills in place we will work through 6 common meditation techniques. Throughout this process, we will also utilize the practice of "meditation journaling" to help us gain a deeper understanding of meditation & what technique is best for YOU.

The Meditation Techniques Include: 

- Breath

- Mindfulness

- Loving Kindness

- Mantra

- Visualization

- Chakra Energy

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What's inside

Syllabus

4 Ways to Prepare for Meditation Practice
Moving Before Stillness: Prepare to Meditate
Understanding the process of moving from relaxation to concentration to meditative absorption. Utilizing the techniques of preparation and addressing distraction to train the mind more effectively.
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Meditation is a word that can be difficult to define, especially because in popular culture it is loosely used to describe many different mental states. Here we will look at meditation as a training process for the mind that leads to a place of complete absorption in the experience of the present moment. The formal definition of meditation is being in a space that is beyond thought or words, it is only experienced. 

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches techniques for handling distractions, which is a common challenge for those new to meditation
Explores meditation journaling, which can help learners gain a deeper understanding of their practice and preferences
Examines concentration versus meditation, which helps learners understand the nuances of different mental states
Covers chakra energy meditation, which may not align with all learners' belief systems or preferences
Presents multiple meditation techniques, allowing learners to find the methods that resonate with them
Discusses integrating meditation into daily life, which helps learners maintain a consistent practice

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Reviews summary

Solid meditation basics for beginners

According to learners, this course offers a solid foundation for anyone looking to start or improve their meditation practice. Many found the explanations clear and easy to understand, especially the sections on handling distraction and finding comfortable positions. Students appreciated the practical techniques and the introduction to various meditation types like Breath, Mindfulness, and Loving Kindness. While highly recommended for beginners, some more experienced practitioners noted that the content was too basic. Overall, reviews indicate it effectively addresses common beginner frustrations and helps build momentum for daily practice.
Views differ on the usefulness of journaling.
"Meditation journaling was a fantastic tool for self-reflection and deepening my practice."
"I found the journaling prompts helpful in processing my experiences."
"The journaling felt like extra homework and I skipped it sometimes."
"While some may find journaling useful, it wasn't a necessary part of the practice for me."
Introduces multiple meditation techniques.
"Liked that it introduced different types of meditation, allowing me to see which resonated most."
"The coverage of Breath, Mindfulness, Loving Kindness, and Visualization was a great overview."
"Exploring different techniques was useful for broadening my understanding beyond just 'sitting and breathing'."
Provides actionable strategies for common issues.
"The section on handling distraction was a game-changer for me; the techniques taught are very practical."
"I really appreciated the clear explanations of how to find a comfortable sitting position."
"The different meditation techniques were introduced simply and effectively, making them easy to try."
"Learned tangible methods to integrate meditation into my busy daily life."
Ideal starting point for those new to meditation.
"This course is excellent for someone who is new to meditation or has tried before and felt they weren't 'good' at it."
"Highly recommend for beginners looking for a clear path to start meditating regularly."
"As a complete beginner, I found the step-by-step approach incredibly helpful and not overwhelming."
"If you are just starting out or feel like you've failed at meditation in the past, this course is perfect."
May lack depth for advanced practitioners.
"For someone who has meditated for a while, this course feels very introductory and doesn't cover advanced topics."
"While great for beginners, those with an established practice might find the content too basic."
"I was hoping for a deeper dive into some techniques, but it mainly covers the fundamentals."
"If you already have a solid understanding of meditation, you might not find much new here."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Foundation Skills for a Successful Meditation Practice with these activities:
Mindfulness for Beginners
Provides a strong foundation in mindfulness meditation, a key technique covered in the course.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Mindfulness for Beginners'.
  • Read the introductory chapters on mindfulness.
  • Practice the guided meditations in the book.
Wherever You Go, There You Are
Expands on the concept of mindfulness and its integration into daily life, complementing the course's focus on practical application.
Show steps
  • Acquire a copy of 'Wherever You Go, There You Are'.
  • Read the book, focusing on chapters relevant to daily life.
  • Reflect on how to apply mindfulness to your own experiences.
Create a Meditation Journal
Reinforces learning by encouraging reflection on meditation experiences and tracking progress.
Show steps
  • Obtain a notebook or create a digital document.
  • Record your meditation sessions, including technique, duration, and observations.
  • Reflect on your experiences and identify patterns or insights.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice Different Meditation Techniques
Solidifies understanding of various meditation techniques through regular practice.
Show steps
  • Select a meditation technique from the course.
  • Set aside time each day to practice the technique.
  • Track your progress and adjust your practice as needed.
Develop a Guided Meditation Script
Deepens understanding of meditation techniques by requiring students to articulate and structure a guided meditation.
Show steps
  • Choose a meditation technique from the course.
  • Write a script for a guided meditation, including introduction, body, and conclusion.
  • Record yourself reading the script, or have a friend read it.
Design a Meditation Space
Applies course concepts to create a conducive environment for meditation practice.
Show steps
  • Identify a space in your home or elsewhere.
  • Design the space to be calming and conducive to meditation.
  • Gather materials and set up the space.
Guide a Friend Through a Meditation
Reinforces understanding by teaching meditation techniques to others.
Show steps
  • Invite a friend to meditate with you.
  • Guide them through a meditation technique from the course.
  • Discuss their experience and answer any questions.

Career center

Learners who complete Foundation Skills for a Successful Meditation Practice will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Mindfulness Instructor
A mindfulness instructor guides individuals or groups in cultivating present moment awareness and reducing stress through mindfulness practices. This course on meditation provides a solid foundation for a mindfulness instructor by exploring core meditation techniques. The course teaches how to handle distraction and cultivate a successful meditation practice. The detailed exploration of techniques like breath work, mindfulness, loving kindness, mantra, visualization, and chakra energy meditations, further equips mindfulness instructors with a diverse toolkit to cater to different student needs and preferences. The insights into meditation journaling also provides a framework for helping students reflect on their experiences and deepen their understanding of mindfulness.
Stress Management Consultant
A stress management consultant helps individuals and organizations develop strategies for coping with stress and promoting well-being. This course in meditation offers a solid foundation for a stress management consultant, providing practical tools and techniques for stress reduction. The course offers methods for handling distractions, preparation, and helps to integrate meditation into your life. The exploration of meditation techniques, such as breath work, mindfulness, loving kindness, mantra, visualization, and chakra energy meditations provides a wide array of techniques to share with clients. The insights into meditation journaling also provides a framework for fostering self-awareness.
Wellness Coach
A wellness coach guides clients toward healthier lifestyles. This course on meditation provides a valuable foundation for a wellness coach, particularly in addressing the mental and emotional aspects of well-being. The course's exploration of techniques for handling distraction and cultivating mindfulness directly benefit a coach's ability to support clients in managing stress and improving focus. Furthermore, the course provides insights into different meditation techniques such as breath work, loving kindness, and visualization, which a wellness coach may find helpful to incorporate into their coaching practices. The emphasis on meditation journaling also lends itself to the practice of self reflection, which is a great tool for a wellness coach to use with their clients.
Spiritual Director
A spiritual director guides individuals on their spiritual journey through conversation, reflection, and practices that deepen their connection to the divine. This course on meditation equips a spiritual director with practical tools for guiding others in contemplative practices. The lessons on how to handle distraction, prepare for meditation, and integrate meditation into daily life are directly applicable to spiritual direction. The exploration of meditation techniques, such as breath work, mindfulness, loving kindness, mantra, visualization, and chakra energy meditations offers a diverse toolkit for facilitating spiritual growth. The insights into meditation journaling also provides a framework for self reflection.
Corporate Wellness Specialist
A corporate wellness specialist designs and implements programs to promote employee health and well-being. This course on meditation helps a corporate wellness specialist integrate mindfulness practices into workplace wellness initiatives. The course details techniques on how to handle distractions, prepare for meditation, and integrate meditation into daily life. The knowledge of various meditation techniques, such as breath work, mindfulness, loving kindness, mantra, visualization, and chakra energy meditations can enrich the specialist's offerings. The insights into meditation journaling also provides a tool for self reflection.
Wellness Program Coordinator
A wellness program coordinator develops and implements initiatives to promote employee well-being within an organization. This course on meditation provides a valuable resource for a wellness program coordinator to incorporate mindfulness and stress reduction practices into their programs. The methods taught in the course include how to handle distraction, prepare for meditation, and integrate meditation into daily life. These can be applied to workplace wellness initiatives. The exploration of meditation techniques, such as breath work, mindfulness, or loving kindness, can also enrich the specialist's offerings. The insights into meditation journaling also provide a tool for self reflection.
Yoga Instructor
A yoga instructor leads students in physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation practices to promote physical and mental well-being. This course provides a helpful complement to yoga teacher training, focusing specifically on the meditation aspect of yoga. The course's lessons on how to handle distraction, find a comfortable position, and prepare for meditation can be directly applied to guiding yoga students in their meditation practice. The overview into techniques such as breath, mindfulness, and visualization can be integrated into yoga classes or workshops. The emphasis on meditation journaling also provides a framework for helping students reflect on their experiences.
Addiction Counselor
An addiction counselor supports individuals in overcoming substance abuse and addictive behaviors, often incorporating mindfulness and meditation techniques. This course on meditation provides a solid foundation for an addiction counselor to help clients manage cravings, reduce stress, and cultivate self-awareness. The course's explanation of techniques on how to handle distraction, prepare for meditation, and integrate meditation into daily life are tools that can be applied to addiction therapy. The detailed discussion of meditation techniques, such as breath work, mindfulness, loving kindness, mantra, visualization, and chakra energy meditations offers a diverse toolkit for facilitating recovery. The insights into meditation journaling also provides a tool for self reflection.
Hospice Counselor
A hospice counselor provides emotional and spiritual support to patients and families facing end-of-life issues. This course on meditation enriches a hospice counselor's toolkit for helping patients and families find comfort and peace. The lessons on how to handle distraction, prepare for meditation, and integrate meditation into daily life can be directly applied to guiding patients in their meditation practice. The detailed exploration of techniques, such as breath work, mindfulness, loving kindness, mantra, visualization, and chakra energy meditations offers a diverse toolkit for facilitating coping and acceptance. The insights into meditation journaling also provides a practical tool for self reflection.
Guidance Counselor
A guidance counselor assists students with academic, personal, and social development, often incorporating mindfulness and stress reduction techniques. This course on meditation provides a solid foundation for a guidance counselor to teach practical meditation skills to students. The techniques described in the course can help people handle distraction and cultivate successful meditation practices, preparing individuals as they move from relaxation to concentration. The course's content on meditation journaling can also be applied to help students reflect on their experiences.
Health Educator
A health educator teaches individuals and communities about behaviors that promote wellness. This course on meditation strengthens a health educator's understanding of mindfulness and stress reduction techniques. The course's teachings on handling distraction, preparing for meditation, and meditation journaling provide a frame work for teaching practical meditation skills. The exploration of techniques, such as breath work, mindfulness, and visualization, provides health educators with a variety of tools to share with their target communities.
Employee Assistance Program Counselor
An employee assistance program counselor provides confidential counseling and support services to employees experiencing personal or work-related problems. This course in meditation may be useful for an employee assistance program counselor, particularly in helping employees manage stress, improve focus, and build resilience. The course's emphasis on handling distraction, preparing for meditation, and integrating meditation into daily life can be valuable tools for a counselor to share with their clients. Furthermore, the explanation of meditation techniques, like breath work, mindfulness, and loving kindness, can provide clients with practical ways to improve their well being. The insights into meditation journaling also provides a tool for self reflection.
Life Coach
A life coach supports clients in achieving personal and professional goals by providing guidance, encouragement, and accountability. This course in meditation may be useful for a life coach, particularly in helping clients manage stress, improve focus, and cultivate self awareness. The course's emphasis on handling distraction, preparing for meditation, and integrating meditation into daily life can be valuable tools for a life coach to share with their clients. The techniques, such as breath, mindfulness, and loving kindness, can provide clients with practical strategies for enhancing their overall well being. The insights into meditation journaling also provides a practical tool for self-reflection.
Rehabilitation Counselor
A rehabilitation counselor works with individuals who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities to help them achieve personal, social, and vocational goals. Training in meditation may be useful for a rehabilitation counselor, especially in helping clients manage stress, improve focus, and cope with challenges. The course goes over some of the practical aspects of meditation, such as how to handle distraction, find a comfortable position, and prepare for meditation. The exploration of meditation techniques like breath work, mindfulness, loving kindness, mantra, and visualization can provide some useful tools for improving client outcomes. The insights into meditation journaling also provides a framework for self-reflection.
Alternative Medicine Practitioner
An alternative medicine practitioner provides a range of holistic treatments. This education in meditation can broaden an alternative medicine practitioner's offerings. The course's teachings on distraction management, preparations, and integration of meditation into life can prove helpful. The course also explores breath work, loving kindness, and other techniques. The insights into meditation journaling also provide a framework for self-reflection and a deeper understanding of personal experiences, which may prove useful when supporting and guiding clients.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Foundation Skills for a Successful Meditation Practice.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to mindfulness meditation, a core technique taught in the course. It offers practical guidance and exercises for cultivating mindfulness in everyday life. It is particularly helpful for beginners who are new to meditation and want to develop a solid foundation. This book adds depth to the mindfulness section of the course.
Explores the practice of mindfulness meditation and its application to daily life. It offers insights into cultivating awareness, reducing stress, and finding peace in the present moment. This book is more valuable as additional reading to deepen understanding of mindfulness. It is commonly recommended for those seeking to integrate meditation into their routines.

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