The Fundamentals of Meditation – Skills to Begin or to Refresh your Practice (April 27 – May 18)

Meditation cultivates health and positive human qualities. For more than 40 years, scientific research has documented benefits of meditation on the immune system, the brain, emotions, well-being and behavior. Countless studies have shown meditation promotes health, concentration, emotional balance, altruism and inner peace. 

If you would like support and guidance to start or nurture a meditation practice, this engagement class is for you. These four online sessions offer training in the fundamentals of meditation and opportunities to experience various ways to mediate so you can select and develop the practice that is right for you. 

Class activities will include a range of practices beginning with breath-based and body-based mindfulness meditations. Class sessions will continue with walking meditation, visualization, and sound-based meditations, and culminate in the practice of loving kindness and compassion meditations. You will learn the difference between active and passive meditation and how to discern when to do each. The focus on direct experience will help you to begin and continue meditating. You will receive information on practice opportunities on campus, along with guidance on how to practice on your own or with others.

Instructors: Tia Rich, PhD, is a lecturer in the Stanford School of Medicine and director of Contemplation By Design. She has been integrating breath-based self-care, mindfulness, compassion and meditation into health and well-being programs for Stanford University since 1984.