"Practicing Mindfulness: An Introduction to Meditation" has been added to your cart.View Cart

Class

Practicing Mindfulness: An Introduction to Meditation

$49.99

At a Glance:

In-depth Instruction; over 750 mins
On-demand video access anytime
Bonus downloadable PDF resources
Access to class Q&A

Item: W01613E

Description

Class Sessions

Mindlessness: The Default Setting

32:22

Do you control your mind, or does your mind control you? Investigate how the mind operates and the condition of "mindlessness," the pervasive swirl of thoughts and judgments that separate you from the world around you.

Mindfulness: The Power of Awareness

32:40

Explore the notion of "mindfulness," or nonjudgmental attention to experience, as it occurs in everyday life and as a deliberate practice.

Expectations: Relinquishing Preconceptions

32:51

Prof. Muesse introduces the practice of meditation as a tool for developing mindfulness. Here, distinguish the true nature of mindfulness meditation from common preconceptions about it.

Preparation: Taking Moral Inventory

33:00

In approaching meditation, consider the interconnections of ethical behavior with the development of mindfulness and the shaping of personal character.

Position: Where to Be for Meditation

29:58

Now learn about the most beneficial physical conditions for your meditation, as well as the time of day and the physical setting that will best serve your practice.

Breathing: Finding a Focus for Attention

32:34

Mindfulness meditation is based in the use of an anchor or focus of attention, allowing the mind to calm itself. Using your breathing as the focus, learn in detail about the fundamental elements of sitting meditation.

Problems: Stepping-Stones to Mindfulness

33:47

Here, explore difficulties often encountered in meditation and ways of working with them that are also useful in the larger context of living. Consider physical discomfort and the specific use of mindfulness itself in working through it.

Body: Attending to Our Physical Natures

24:13

Building on your work with mindfulness practice, learn another technique that augments and supports meditation. The "body scan" directs focused attention to different areas of the body, promoting deeper sensory awareness, relaxation and concentration.

Mind: Working With Thoughts

31:56

The mindfulness tradition has much to say on the nature of thoughts and their power to shape personality and character. In this lesson, explore specific ways to identify detrimental thoughts and a variety of methods to work with them.

Walking: Mindfulness While Moving

29:05

Learn walking meditation in detail, including beneficial conditions for practice, the method of mindful walking, where to focus your attention, and advanced variations on the practice.

Consuming: Watching What You Eat

34:03

When approached with mindfulness, eating offers heightened awareness and undiscovered depth of experience. This lesson takes you on a rich exploration of mindful eating, beginning with an eating "meditation," using all five senses.

Driving: Staying Awake at the Wheel

30:12

As a familiar and potentially hazardous activity, driving provides a perfect "laboratory" for practicing mindfulness. Assess your own approach to driving and bring the principles of meditation to bear on the road.

Insight: Clearing the Mind

31:39

Practicing mindfulness over time prepares the mind for "insight," which in this tradition means seeing clearly into the fundamental nature of reality.

Wisdom: Seeing the World as It Is

33:51

Investigate dukkha, the insatiable quality of human experience, seen in our endless pursuit of the symbols of well-being and achievement and avoidance of unwanted experience.

Compassion: Expressing Fundamental Kindness

29:36

With relation to mindfulness practice, explore compassion, or the desire to alleviate suffering, as an essential component of our nature as human beings. See how compassion allows us to look at suffering without aversion or attachment.

Imperfection: Embracing Our Flaws

31:57

Finding compassion for ourselves is greatly challenging for many of us. Consider the complex of beliefs, attitudes, and conditioning that underlie this; in particular, the thorny phenomenon of perfectionism.

Wishing: May All Beings Be Well and Happy

27:40

The mindfulness tradition offers an additional practice that is highly effective in revealing and cultivating compassion. With Prof. Muesse's guidance, experience metta meditation, a focused contemplation wishing well-being and peace for others.

Generosity: The Joy of Giving

29:23

Here, study the mindfulness tradition's insights concerning attachment to "things," our culture's dominant emphasis on possessions, and the psychological roots of greed.

Speech: Training the Tongue

28:47

Mindfulness practice brings focus to the critical link between speech and behavior. Consider the ways in which both inner experience and outward action are influenced by our use of language.

Anger: Cooling the Fires of Irritation

30:19

This lesson focuses on the challenges of dealing with anger and ways to disarm it using the skills you've studied.

Pain: Embracing Physical Discomfort

34:55

Mindfulness skills offer powerful means to work with physical discomfort of all kinds. Consider the crucial distinction between pain and suffering as it directly affects our perceptions. Then experience two meditations for alleviating physical suffering.

Grief: Learning to Accept Loss

32:03

In reflecting on the universality of loss, take a deeper look at the notion of impermanence and how refusal to embrace life's transience affects our experience of living.

Finitude: Living in the Face of Death

31:12

The mindfulness tradition considers reflecting on death to be both liberating and essential to living a full and satisfying life. Contemplate the ways in which our culture conditions us to avoid and deny death, and learn four meditations that deepen our awareness and ability to live.

Life: Putting It All in Perspective

31:30

Finally, consider various possibilities for continuing your practice through the methods you've learned, further study, and retreats. Prof. Muesse concludes with reflections on his own path.

Your Instructor

Mark W. Muesse

Mark W. Muesse is W. J. Millard Professor of Religious Studies, director of the Asian Studies program, and director of the "Life: Then and Now" program at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. Known for his experiential teaching style, Professor Muesse was honored for his effective use of imaginative and creative pedagogy as well as his ability to motivate his students toward lifelong study.

Bonus Material

FAQs

Can I purchase a class to keep in my collection?

Yes, we do have a Shop where you can purchase classes to keep. Our Shop items are located under the Shop Tab.

How do I know what the Class covers?

Every Class has a free Preview video you can watch, to give you a flavor of the Instructor and the skills or project that will be covered. In addition, the Overview tab includes a thorough written description of the Class. And finally, each Class Session has a brief written summary of the content in that Session, including the length of each Session video. You will get a good feel for the Class content by reviewing these resources.

Do I have to be a Member of Craftsy to purchase a Class?

No you don’t. While Premium Members will receive regular offers for special deals on Craftsy content, Classes are not reserved exclusively for Members. If you buy a Class as a non-member, we’re sure you’d also enjoy having access to our full library of great projects and articles as a Member, so give it a try.

How do I purchase a Class?

First you should decide that the Class is what you want. Review the Class Preview video and the various written descriptions of the Class and each Session before you purchase, so you have a good understanding of the Class content. When you’re ready to purchase and gain access to the Class, simply click the “Add to Cart” button, and proceed through the Checkout process.

How do I access/view my Class?

Once you’ve paid, you can access/view your Class by going to the MY ACCOUNT section of Craftsy. The MY ACCOUNT link is in the upper right-hand area of the website. Within your MY ACCOUNT, a section labeled “My Content” is where the class you purchased will appear, including a link to watch the video of your Class. You’ll also receive an email confirmation after your purchase, which will include a link to view your Class. You can access your Class as many times as you wish, and you’ll never lose access to your Account information. Just be sure to “Log In” for access to MY ACCOUNT.

Do I have to take the Class right away?

No. Any Class you buy will be accessible to you always. You can view your Class whenever you want, and you can view individual Sessions in whatever order you like.

Is there a limit on the times I can view my Class?

No. Your access never expires. You can view any Class you purchase as many times as you want, whenever you want.

Can I view a Class on my tablet device or mobile phone?

No problem. Most newer-model smartphones or other mobile/tablet devices with an internet connection are able to play the Class videos. Simply Log In to Craftsy, and you can view any Class you’ve bought through the MY ACCOUNT section. Or, you can click on the “View Class” link within the email confirmation you’ll receive upon your purchase.

How do I get access to the Bonus Materials for the Class?

Until you purchase a Class, the Bonus material (any extra videos, download materials, etc.) will not be accessible. Once you purchase a Class, and go to view your Class, each individual Bonus element is accessible by simply clicking on each item. You’ll find the Bonus Materials directly below your main Class viewer frame. You can access the bonus materials as many times as you like and/or save them to your device.

How does the Class Q&A Resource benefit work?

Once you purchase any Class, within the Class viewing page, you’ll have access to post a question, comment or tip in the Class Discussions. This is not a “live chat,” but Craftsy contributors will answer posted questions and provide tips regularly. You can also view other Class participants’ questions and input to take part in this virtual dialogue among others who have taken the Class and are willing to share tips, answers, or ideas.

Can I print out Class details?

For any Bonus Material that is a PDF Download, yes you can. Just click on the icon/button for the Bonus element you want and print with your local printer.

What are PDF downloads?

These are simply documents, plans, or written materials that are formatted in a way to print out and retain for reference. By simply clicking on the icon/link for any PDF Download that is included with a Class, you can print that document on your own printer or simply view the contents on your computer/mobile device.

Are there any system requirements to view the Class video content?

Your Class video content is best when viewed on a computer manufactured in the past couple of years with a good broadband Internet connection (not dialup). We also highly recommend using the latest version of Firefox, Safari, or Chrome as your Internet Browser, though recent versions of Internet Explorer will work as well. The recommended screen resolution is 1024 x 768 or larger.

Why do you need my email?

We need it to acknowledge your purchase of a Class, and send you a confirmation of your transaction. Also, to maintain your permanent access to the Class videos, you’ll need to Log In to craftsy.com. We guarantee that we will not share your email with any third parties. You may receive email updates from Craftsy from time to time, with details of new Classes and updates. You can easily unsubscribe when you receive any email.

Can I get a refund if I don’t like the Class?

Because you’ll have full access to all the materials and content that is presented in the Class immediately, we can’t offer a refund after purchase. Please review the Class Preview video and the various written descriptions of the Class and each Session before you purchase, so you have a good understanding of the Class content.

How do I contact Craftsy?

If your question is about the Class content, please use the Contact Us Link – and you'll receive feedback from the Class Instructor. Even your fellow Class participants may jump in to offer tips and advice from their experience. If you have other questions or need help, you can email us at craftsy@program-director.net or call us toll-free, at 1-888-891-7203 . Customer Service Representatives will be available Monday-Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Central time, excluding normal holidays.