Workshop Description:
This workshop will explore ancient meditation practices, providing both theoretical understanding and practical experience of meditative techniques.  We will compare the teachings from the Yoga Sutras and Buddhist Samatha (concentration meditation).  

The workshop will be divided into two parts, starting with a talk and concluding with practice. The talk will unpack the mechanics of the mind as taught in these traditions, examining how we can achieve mental clarity and insight through focused practice as well as how meditation can disentangle the mind from psychological suffering and attachments.

The latter half of the workshop will be experiential. Participants will follow a graduated sequence of meditation instructions, progressing toward Samadhi (deep meditative absorption) based on the Yoga Sutras. To prepare for meditation, the practice will begin with breathing exercises and sensory withdrawal (Pratyahara), which help calm the mind and focus attention. This will be followed by concentration techniques designed to cultivate absorbtion and guide participants toward a deeper meditative state.

Goals:

• To understand the mental processes behind meditation and how these can cultivate insight and inner peace.

• To explore ancient texts (Yoga Sutras, Visuddhimagga, and others) and their teachings on meditation and the mind.

• To provide practical guidance on meditation techniques, starting with breathing and sensory withdrawal exercises and leading toward deeper concentration practices.

This workshop will offer a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical meditation guidance, ideal for both beginners and experienced meditators looking to deepen their understanding of these ancient traditions.