Most of us know meditating regularly drastically improves our life…however the reality is, that it is hard to stick with a daily meditation practice. In this post, I shall talk about a course that teaches you how to practice vipassana meditation effortlessly.
Vipassana meditation (also known as Insight Meditation), is a meditation technique taught by Buddha himself around 2500 years ago. To this day, insight meditation remains one of the oldest and most effective practices we have for calming our minds and awakening our inner joy
Before I talk about the course, I would like you to know about the two people who are behind this course. They have helped thousands of students through their timeless wisdom teachings.
Meet The Teachers
Sharon Salzberg – She has been a student of Buddhism since 1971 and has been teaching intensive awareness practice and cultivation of lovingkindness & compassion. She is co-founder of Insight Meditation Society and author of several books including The Kindness Handbook & most recently, Real Change.
Joseph Goldstein – He has studied and practiced various forms of Buddhist meditation under eminent teachers from India & Tibet since 1967. He is also a co-founder of Insight Meditation Society and the author of several books. His audio programs with Sounds True include the three-volume Abiding in Mindfulness series.
Both are world-class teachers and created a 12-session program to teach anyone, with any level of experience, how to start and continue a meditation practice. Let’s delve deeper into the course & understand how it will help you in setting up a meditation practice effortlessly.
What you will learn – Course Curriculum
This course comprises 12 sessions, it contains all the insightful teachings, practices, and downloadable guided meditations to form a daily meditation routine. Let’s look at each session to get the essence of this course.
Session 1: Introduction to meditation & mindfulness
This session introduces you to the origins of meditation with the story of Buddha. You learn about the Five Precepts and how to cultivate them to strengthen mindfulness. Discover the Eightfold Noble Path which is essentially a path laid down by Buddha to end suffering.
You will be introduced to breathing exercises so that you can get started with your meditation practice.
Session 2: Practices to expand your awareness
You will learn practices & techniques to calm your mind and harness the power of your attention to slow down and become more present.
You will understand how to work with your thoughts as you practice meditation. Also, learn about walking meditation, a traditional method that helps you to be grounded throughout the day. Discover the role of your heart and how you can open it to face reality.
Session 3: How to work with your desires & obstacles
In this session, you will look closely at the emotions of desires and five hindrances to work with during your practice. You will understand the nature of your mind and how it gets conditioned as it clings on to attachments and desires.
You will learn how mindfulness with the right understanding helps in managing your desires and breaking free from the emotions that control your life.
Session 4: Overcoming the common obstacles
In this session, you will look closely at practices to overcome doubt, restlessness, and sleepiness
You will continue to discover how the hindrances disrupt the mind and block your heart. As you go through guided practices to overcome the obstacles, you will learn that it is not about controlling things that happen around you but the ability to stay open and balanced with all that is happening.
Session 5: Working with perceptions
In this session, you will learn how your mind creates concepts and prevents you from facing reality. You will learn practices, that will unhook you from the myths you carry with you. You can break the mental prison as you investigate this deeper reality.
Take practical actions that allow you to experience reality instead of getting clouded by your perceptions/concepts.
Session 6: Facing your sufferings
You will be introduced to Four Noble Truths to acknowledge the existence of suffering. Buddha said, suffering is part of life and you can end the suffering if you understand how it arises, and what causes it. Being ignorant about suffering is avoiding it.
You learn practices, that will allow you to work with suffering in your own life. As you walk on this path you will experience real freedom.
Session 7: Getting out of self-deception
You will look at various traps that your mind creates to manipulate the situation instead of seeing things as they are. Through ‘wise attention’ you can recognize these tendencies and shed light on your own delusions and free yourself from them.
You will learn a guided practice & exercise to avoid the trap of self-deception.
Session 8: Understanding the Law of cause & effect
This session helps you unearth the misconceptions about the concept of Karma. You will have a better understanding of this law, how it happens, and has a multiplying effect on our lives.
Discover the six realms of existence, the importance of your intentions, and meditation as a path to purify your karma.
Session 9: Finding your balance under pressure
In this session, you will learn to develop equanimity. You will find situations in life, that might completely shake you up, at such testing times, the power of perspective helps you ride the wave without getting washed away with it.
You will discover eight vicissitudes that you will encounter every time in life and with equanimity, you will be able to chart a steady course.
Session 10: Deepening your practice
In this session, we will look at cultivating qualities that will empower us to continue with our practice. You will learn about the five spiritual faculties that bring power and balance to your mind and is an essential part of the path to freedom.
When your concentration & mindfulness becomes strong you will develop wisdom which is primarily an intuitive understanding that no amount of reasoning can bring about.
Session 11: Opening the heart with love & compassion
This session helps you unlock the power of Metta or lovingkindness. Learn the four phases of lovingkindness from loving ourselves to loved ones, then to strangers and the world.
Understand the process of learning to be aware when our heart is open or closed, and clarify the obstacles that come your way to experience lovingkindness in your life.
Session 12: Meditation Practice that grows with you
This session brings an end to this course and begins a new chapter in your life with meditative awareness in every area of your life.
Continue your practice and keep exploring the wisdom deep within you. Revisit the basic techniques integrate them into your world and take your practice off the cushion.
How Much Does This Course Cost
At the time of writing this post, there is a promotional offer going on. The actual price of this course is $337 however it is available at a discounted price of $137. You can take advantage of this offer and save $200.
The best part is if you are not happy with the course or if this does not meet your expectations then you can ask for a full refund within 1 year from the date of purchase. So, there is practically zero risk of losing money as you can literally try this course for one full year.
Final Thoughts
If you are really serious about laying the foundations for successful meditation practice – With basic instruction in sitting, breathing, and mindfulness then you have world-renowned teachers who’ve helped thousands of students through all types of challenges and overcome common obstacles on the path to real freedom.
If you would like to start—or continue—a profound meditation practice that will transform your way of being in the world, then I wholeheartedly invite you to join the course & make the most of it ~ Wishing you the very best!
Please note I receive compensation if you click on any links mentioned in this post to purchase a product or service from a third-party website. Also, purchasing a product or service from the above links does not increase your purchase price, however, it is a great way to thank me if you enjoy my content and find my suggestions useful. I only recommend products and services that I have personally used or thoroughly researched.
Hi Satish,
Meditation or prayer is necessary so that a person can calm down and collect his thoughts and settle his inner conflicts. I didn’t know that this course curriculum existed, this could be a good guideline for many. Thank you for this informative article and I’m sure it will be as helpful to many as it was to me. I wish you success and good health 🙂
Hi Zvezdan,
I am glad you found this post useful. Thank you for sharing your views ~ Stay Blessed 🙂
Hi Satish,
Learning not to control your outside circumstances and events in life is a valuable lesson as are the other lessons and guidances in this meditation course. It looks very complete. I’m surprised that it offers a money-back guarantee within a year, they must be very confident about this course and it means that it is probably really good.
Hi Christine,
The course is created by ‘world class’ teachers who have been practicing Vipassana Meditation for than 40 years. They have helped 1000s of students with their timeless wisdom teachings. Wishing you all the best with the course ~ Stay Blessed 🙂
Hi Satish,
Thank you for informing me of this very helpful Insight Medication Course. I have a lot of stress in my life right now and I think this course is exactly what I need. But, how do you find time to meditate when we are so busy with trying to live our lives? I know I should make time because it is for my own good, but I start for a few days and eventually quit.
If I could just get serious about it I know I would benefit tremendously. Maybe I will take advantage of the special offer at $137 and get started. Again, thank you for bringing this to my attention.
Hi Chas,
Glad to know that you found this post useful. Starting a meditation practice is not difficult…making a daily practice is a challenge for most. However not many people know that there are nine stages of meditation and all of us can use these stages to assess our progress with your meditation practice instead of quitting.
And yes if you wish to take this course, then you can take advantage of the special offer before it ends and I hope this course helps you ~ Stay Blessed 🙂
Hi Satish,
It looks interesting and the special offer is very tempting. I have to say that meditation (prayers, chants, and breathing techniques) saved many people I know from going insane during the difficult period we all went through.
Learning about this specific type of meditation is very much needed in today’s contaminated world of social media. It looks like something that will help people see the truth of life with no filter. People, especially the younger generations, need to realize that what is important is not what is showcased by social media. When you understand the suffering and struggles of others you learn to appreciate your life and be more compassionate and understanding.
Hi Dira Mar,
Yes I agree with you, social media has clouded our view and can easily misled us in many ways. Practice of Vipassana meditation on a regular basis helps us to see truth of life with no frills & fantasies. It is important one learns to face and be open to feelings of pain, sufferings that we carry with us. One must strive to achieve freedom from the strong resistance and fear towards that is stored within us. Thank you for sharing your views ~ Stay Blessed 🙂
Hi Satish,
Thanks for the insightful guide on this course. To be honest, I’ve never really given meditation much thought in the past. But with the stresses of modern life, it is something that I’m now considering doing. Along with healthy eating and losing some weight.
Will give this some serious consideration… Thanks again
Hi John,
I am glad you found this post useful and are considering to give meditation a serious thought. Wishing you all the very best with your meditation practice, if you need more help check this post “Meditation Instructions For Beginners”
Stay Blessed 🙂