Samatha: Open Monitoring Meditation Practice Daylong with Tina Rasmussen

In Samatha / Open Monitoring Meditation, we are cultivating both concentration and serenity. We do this by returning awareness to one object of meditation to the exclusion of everything else, unifying the mind stream. This reveals with heightened clarity our habitual patterns that cause us to suffer, called “purification of mind." A laser-like awareness can develop, potentially leading to profound peace, stillness, joy, as well as the meditative absorptions known as jhanas. Topics include: the practice path; the relationship of the four categories of meditation studied in neuroscience, and working with striving and hindrances.

Samatha / Open Monitoring Meditation Practice Agenda:

• Sitting Meditation 1

• Welcome

• The 4 neuroscience categories / 4 Buddhist stages of practice

• What is compelling about this practice?

• Other reasons to do this practice

• What is samatha / open monitoring meditation?

• What is concentration?

• Q&A

• Sitting Meditation 2

• Lunch

• Differences between the 4 neuroscience categories of meditaiton

• A useful way of thinking of the hindrances and defilements

• What is purification of mind?

• Jhana factors

• Striving, surrender, and spiritual materialism

• Q&A

• Silent break

• Sitting Meditation 3

• Samatha as a daily practice

• The Wisdom of the Samatha Practice

• Q&A

• Closing

Tina Rasmussen, Ph.D., began meditating at age 13, and has practiced in the Theravada and Tibetan Buddhist traditions for 30+ years. In 2003, after many years of Buddhist practice, she was drawn to undertake an intensive year-long solo retreat in which profound experiences occurred. In 2004, Tina took refuge with Tibetan Buddhist teacher Tsoknyi Rinpoche, and was initiated into the Nyingma lineage. In 2005, Tina attended a 2-month retreat with Burmese meditation master Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw, who ordained her as a Theravadan Buddhist. During the retreat, Tina became the first Western woman to complete the entire detailed Samatha path in this lineage. Since 2006, Tina has also been involved in the Diamond Approach to realization.

Tina has been studied by Yale Neuroscience Lab for research on the effects of meditation on consciousness and the brain, and is the co-author of Practicing the Jhanas (Shambhala), as well as several books on human potential. She has been featured on Buddha at the Gas Pump, Deconstructing Yourself, Buddhist Geeks, GuruViking, After Awakening, the Imperfect Buddha, Rick Hanson’s Wednesday Meditation, Awakening Women, Non-duality Magazine, Conscious TV, TIME Magazine and others. Dr. Rasmussen now leads retreats and offers spiritual guidance and mentoring to practitioners worldwide. She has a Ph.D. in human and organizational development, and worked as an executive coach and consultant in the business world for more than 30 years.

Also check out other Health & Wellness events in Berkeley, Arts events in Berkeley.