Meditation and Evolutionary Resilience: Science and Spirit ENDED (Aug 17- Sept 26)

Series runs August 17- September 26, 2020

This 6-week series is intended to cultivate a meditative practice that supports greater resilience in the face of life’s challenges, and appreciation in the face of life’s bounties.

No prior experience in meditation required.

Fourteen billion years of cosmic trial and error has led to the most sophisticated configuration of matter known to exist: the human organism.

Evolutionary advancements have allowed our organism to thrive and flourish amid the most extreme conditions.

One such advancement is meditation.

Science and tradition affirm that baked into the fabric of our physiology and psychology are treasuries of resilience and wonder that can be explored through the systematic use of posture, breath, and concentration.

This takes practice.

Life today is filled with myriad challenges, stressors, and traumas. The aim of this series is to practice meditation in support of our ability to slow down, reduce reactivity, navigate our inner life, and cultivate greater resilience and appreciation in the face of life’s challenges, opportunities, and wonders. As we do, we may find ourselves being healed, strengthened, and actualizing more of our inherent potential.

Three topics of concentration will be explored, each for two weeks. During the first week the conceptual accent will fall on science, the second week more on perspectives handed down through mystical, spiritual, and philosophical traditions.

• Weeks 1 & 2: Breath 

• Weeks 3 & 4: Heart 

• Weeks 5 & 6: Consciousness and Presence

Additional topics to be explored:

• Step-by-step process of approaching meditation

• The physiology and psychology of breath

• Heartbeat as the object of attention

• Neurophysiology of meditation

• Meditation and trauma

Series Details

• 6 days a week (Mon-Sat), live 30min guided sessions at 8a PST 

• Science based understandings come from peer-reviewed publications

• Traditional teachings and practices come from Sufic, Greek, Egyptian, Yogic, Buddhist, and Taoist lineages

• More instruction early in the week; more silence and practice later in the week

• Saturdays are more Q&A (and may run a little longer 30mins)

• Sundays are intended to practice on one’s own 

• All sessions are live and take place on Zoom

• Links will be sent after registration

• All sessions are recorded and available for download within 8 hrs of the live session

• All sessions will be led by Jacob (see background here)

In order to accommodate our different economic conditions, there are several payment options. Please pick the one that most suits your current capacity. You will be charged weekly for six weeks.

Need support? Scholarships available.

Can offer support? Just pick a scholarship option below.