GLS 592: Meditation: Theory and Practice
Instructor: James Brewster
“Introduction to Meditation” will include both the study and opportunity to participate in several traditions of meditation. In study, we will concentrate on the definition, history, practices and disciplines from several cultures, including Far Eastern, Native American, Islamic and Judeo-Christian. Attention will be given to structured and unstructured meditation as well as the ancient and relevant practices of mantra and mandala, the physiological effects of contemplation, various meditational forms, including the way of the body (e.g. walking the labyrinth), the practice of Lectio Divina, the way of the intellect. We will draw from the models of ancient and modern women (Hildegard of Bingen, Teresa of Avila, Anne Morrow Lindbergh). Personal attention given to a template for individual meditation practice and journaling.
One course assumption: there are many different kinds and forms of meditation based both on ethnic and religious traditions and individual choice. Participants in the class will take a survey of Multiple Intelligences to determine how their personal learning styles relate to both the study and practice of meditation.
Methods of teaching include: lectures, videos, readings, recordings, music and art. Each class session will include one/two brief periods of meditation. Evaluation will include quizzes, final exam and a major paper (15 pages).
Texts for the course include:
- How To Meditate: a Guide To Self-Discovery by Lawrence LeShan (ISBN 0-316-88062-0)
- Gift From the Sea, by Anne Morrow Lindbergh (ISBN 0-679-73241-1)
- Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn (ISBN 0-7868-8070-8)
Last Update: October 31, 2008
