For a Complete Schedule of Classes at New Yoga Center, click HERE!
"Meditation is the basis for ALL inner work.
We might struggle conscientiously to change our limiting qualities; we might saturate ourselves with instructions and help, both concrete and subtle.
Yet in the end, it is the direct, naked encounter with our own Awareness that shifts our understanding of who we are and gives us the power to stand firm in the center of our being. No one else can do this for us. Only meditation unlocks those doors."
Swami Durgananda (Sally Kempton) in "The Heart of Meditation"
Meditation is a silent return to the still center of the turning world.
It is the practice of invoking the incandescence of your Self and the universe, and dancing with that luminosity for the benefit of ALL of Life.
"Except for the point, the still point, There would be no dance, and there is only the dance."
Susan Wilkens began her "yoga dance" at the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago in 1995. In September 1996 she entered the Temple's Seminary program, where her in-depth yoga studies included:
. Kriya Yoga Philosophy . The Laws of Karma . Meditation . Hatha Yoga . Esoteric Astrology . The Language of Symbols . Dreams . The Upanishads . The Bhagavad Gita . Sanskrit . World Religions . Rituals . Pastoral Care/Spiritual Guidance
She was ordained as a swami in the Kriya Yoga lineage on the summer solstice weekend of June 2002.
Goswami Kriyananda ~ Founder & Spiritual Preceptor Temple of Kriya Yoga ~ Chicago
She received her Meditation Teacher Training and Certification at Ananda's Expanding Light Center in Nevada City, CA, in 2002.
Mindfulness meditation has been a cornerstone of her practice since 1996. She has made an extensive study of the works of Jon Kabat-Zin, including his Mindfulness for Beginners and Mindfulness Meditation for Pain Relief, and has developed her own curriculum based on these works. She has completed coursework based on the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program facilitated by a teacher/practitioner who studied directly with Dr. Kabat-Zin.
Her explorations in spiritual spheres since 2000 have included the study of Kundalini Yoga and Meditation as taught by Yogi Bhajan, and the devotion and discipline of meditative mantra practice.
“If you’re interested in learning to meditate, please call or email me so that we can talk about setting up one-to-one sessions.
“I’ve discovered through experience that individualized, personalized instruction works very well in the realm of meditation.
“If there are two or three of you, in the same household or workplace or circle of friends, a small group works well also.
“We can explore a variety of sitting meditation techniques, learn relaxation methods, do some moving meditation and body-based practices, work with mantra and chanting, affirmation, visualization, cultivating compassion, breathing techniques – there are lots of possibilities! There is time in each session for discussion, for questions, for feedback. We’ll talk about what you’ve been practicing on your own since our previous session. We will practice new techniques during out time together so that you’re clear on the procedure and so that you get a real experiential taste – so that you have the experience of meditating and not just of talking about meditating. I will also give you practical guidelines for establishing your own regular meditation practice and for dealing with common sidetracks and stumbling blocks as you encounter them. I may give you reading assignments, and I will definitely give you homework: to practice meditation! I’ll provide you with informative and inspiring handouts, CD samplers and a resource guide to books and CDs.
“Tom and I have a meditation space in our Forest Park yoga center complete with all the items we’ll need for meditating comfortably.
“Each session generally lasts 60 minutes. If we have a small group we may go to an hour and 15 minutes to allow time for each person’s questions and comments. We can meet weekly or bi-weekly. I’ve found that in the beginning it’s best not to let more than two weeks go by between sessions.
in the midst of the noise and fear of the mind’s chatter, she stays sitting with both eyes closed and holds fast to meditation.
by wandering away from the seat of her own heart, even though she may bathe at holy places, wandering the seven seas, this world is lost and the next world is lost.
in the middle of difficulties, illusion and distraction, she sits, and in this way, this way of sitting, the strength of the spirit emerges.
i speak truly – listen and understand completely. one who practices this act of love realizes God.
~guru gobind singh
if you catch a fragrance of the unseen, like THAT, you won’t be able to be contained. you’ll be out in empty sky.
If you’ve every felt that you can’t learn to meditate because you can’t sit cross-legged for hours without moving a muscle or thinking a thought – join us for meditation that doesn’t require any of that!
Four weeks of introductory classes each September will give you the basic principles and theory of meditation, along with beginning practices.
Every week after will focus on a new technique, and with dozens to explore, you're sure to find several that you enjoy and can practice with ease. Often all of the weekly sessions in a calendar month are related to one main theme or topic, allowing us to explore a particular approach to meditation in depth and detail.
If you're looking for more peace, contentment, energy, balance, relaxation, or just to enjoy your life more fully, learn to meditate, because it's not what you think!
Classes are held at Mather’s - More Than a Café, 3235 N. Central, Chicago. $3 per class; $2.25 with a Mather Advantage Discount. Advance registration is not required; walk in and sign up. For more information about Mather’s contact the receptionist at 773.205.3300.
**Update:**: We have been having a wonderful time in these weekly classes! We practice, we discuss, we read and consider, we share experiences and insights and ask questions. Superb questions! Most of all -- we practice. Lovely! Please join us whenever you can.
January & February 2012 Schedule:
January 6, 13, 20, 27 February 3, 10, 17, 24 March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
From September - December 2011 we explored a fascinating meditation series called "Meditations to Change Your Brain". This material is based on the most recent research on brain function and the effects of meditation on the brain, and has been compiled by a neurologist and psychologist who are both long-time meditators. We learned what actually goes on in your "little gray cells" when you meditate, and how you can use that knowledge to become a happier, healthier, more optimally functioning human being. Learn to use your mind to change your brain to change your mind!
Meditation at Mather's is only $4.50 per class, $3.50 for seniors with a Mather's Advantage Discount membership.
Featured in May 2011: A Special Series at Mather's
Based on the ground-breaking work of Jon Kabat-Zinn at The Stress Reduction clinic at UMass Medical Center.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
In 1979, Jon Kabat-Zinn Ph.D. pioneered a radically new approach in enabling people suffering from chronic pain to come to terms with their discomfort and lead full, rich lives. Within the walls of the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, he established a Stress Reduction Clinic and introduced the practice of mindfulness into mainstream medicine. UMass physicians referred their patients, and Kabat-Zinn taught them how to take better care of themselves by mobilizing their own inner resources for coping, growing and healing.
Over three decades later, scientific research at medical centers all over the world has confirmed that learning MBSR can positively and profoundly affect participants’ ability to reduce medical symptoms and psychological distress while learning to live life more fully. These changes continue, in some cases, for up to four years after the initial training. Most participants experience long-lasting improvements in both physical and psychological symptoms, as well as major positive changes in health attitudes and behaviors and in perception of self. Studies have also shown changes in the brain and the immune system consistent with greater mental and physical health.
Since 1979, more than 18,000 people with a range of medical and psychological conditions have learned MBSR at the Stress Reduction Clinic. They have been referred by more than 5,00 physicians and by hundreds of other health care professionals – and they have also simply signed themselves up out of a strong sense of motivation to do something beneficial for themselves and actively participate in their own growth and well-being. Worldwide, hundreds of thousands of people have participated in MBSR programs. MBSR has been featured has been featured on PBS in Bill Moyers’ documentary, Healing and the Mind, which was seen by more than 40 million people; on NBC’s Dateline; on ABC’s Evening News and Chronicle programs; on The Oprah Winfrey Show; and in hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles.
Instruction in MBSR was offered at Mathers in addition to the regularly scheduled meditation classes on Friday mornings. Classes met on four consecutive Fridays and participants were enthusiastic to learn about and practice this form of stress relief. The series was so popular that it will be offered again -- stay tuned!
For more information please contact Mathers at 773.205.3300.
If you are interested in introducing your group of seniors (or "youngsters") to meditation by way of this timely and interesting course, please contact Susan to discuss bringing the sessions to your location.
In April 2010 Susan repeated the four-week series of phone meditation classes that were so well-received in May 2009. This series will be repeated again in 2012 for those of you who missed it the first two times around!
Themes for these classes include:
1. Meditation for a Happy Heart Learn simple, easy to do on your own breathing and focusing techniques to release worry and anxiety and bring a smile to your face. Reduce your stress level and multiply your happiness factor – create inner peace and outer joy, and enjoy your life more from moment to moment.
2. Meditation for a Clear Mind An abundance of recent research shows that certain meditation practices help to keep our minds sharp and clear as we age, in addition to warding off symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and mental fogginess. Learn these specific “brain exercises” to help prevent memory loss and cognitive impairment.
3. Meditation for Endless Energy Did you know that you can meditate in order to bring more vim, vitality, and vigor into your body and mind? Even if you tend to have “down times” of feeling sleepy, lethargic, and unmotivated, you can learn simple practices for instant pick-me-ups, and also to increase your energy levels over the long term. Wake up and meditate!
4. Meditation for Sound Sleep Deep, restful, rejuvenating sleep on a regular basis is a cornerstone of good health at any age. Regular use of certain meditation practices in the evening hours increases your likelihood of falling asleep easily and staying in a peaceful slumber all night long. Learn to help yourself sleep like a baby with meditation!
If you are interested in introducing your group of seniors (or "youngsters") to meditation by way of this timely and interesting course, please contact Susan to discuss bringing the sessions to your location.
Susan teaches meditation by phone to seniors on a biweekly basis. This regular addition to the Telephone Topics program of Mather Lifeways is a result of the keen interest in and huge response to the introductory four-week telephone meditation classes that Susan offered through Mather's.
The meditation techniques taught and practiced each session are arranged around a timely theme. Background information on different schools of and approaches to meditation is shared, as well as facts and figures pertaining to the lastest scientific research into the effects of meditation on the human brain, body and health.
There's often opportunity for questions and comments at the end of each session, and handouts are sent to participants, summarizing the information presented and explaining how to do the meditation techniques practiced during that session.
And of course -- we Meditate! Meditate! Meditate! Together. On the phone. Amazing!
Susan is also available be phone and e-mail to continue conversation about meditation with anyone who participates in a session.
We resume in the New Year: January 16 and 30 February 6 and 20 March 5 and 19
from 2:00 - 3:00 pm.
For more info or to register for these classes, seniors should contact Kate Paz, Director, Programs Without Walls Mather Lifeways 3235 N. Central Avenue Chicago IL 60634 (Tel): 773.205.3306 (E-mail): teltopics@matherlifeways.com www.matherlifeways.com
"MEDITATION IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT. You can think that meditation is a good thing to do. You can accept the proposition that it can benefit you on many different levels. You can have an intellectual understanding of what it is and how to practice it. You can read books on it, have discussions about it, attend classes where it is taught, and commit yourself to the idea of it. You can even feel good about yourself for recognizing the value of such an esoteric art!
BUT even a commitment to meditate is not the same as meditating.
Until you meditate, you haven’t meditated."
In brief tranquil moments when the senses are relaxed and responsive, when the heart is easy and the mind light, we can hear the voice of silent space speaking . . . Awareness responds, and the blessing of healing and knowledge flows forth.
