Attendance + Missed Classes

Classes will be dense and interactive, and therefore must be attended live (with the exception of emergencies or special permission). If you need to miss a class due to special circumstances, it can be made up with a small group for an modest additional cost shared evenly by make-up participants. Please contact Megan if you know you need to miss a specific class. Megan@MeganMook.com

Mental Health

• Buddhist meditations bring our mental, emotional, and physical patterns to the surface. Because of this, Buddhist meditations are not suitable for everyone.

• This training offers a safe container and effective tools to work with our patterns, but participants must be able to effectively manage their own mental, emotional, and physical experiences. Please note that we are not mental-health professionals.

If you have concerns about whether this training or these practices are appropriate for you, please reach out directly.
Megan@MeganMook.com

100 hr Mindfulness and Loving-Kindness Certificate

In order to receive a certificate, students must attend all classes live (unless special arrangements are made), successfully complete all at-home assignments, and teach to a satisfactory level. All outside class work, combined with in-class hours, totals 100 hrs (this also includes a short book to be read at your leisure as preparation for the training).

Scope of Training

• Throughout the training, participants will deepen their personal practice and have the opportunity to connect with one another about their experience. However, the primary emphasis of this training is learning how to effectively teach in an informed, safe, and skillful way.

• Students will learn the foundational Buddhist tenants from which Mindfulness and Loving-Kindness come, and we will carefully consider why these tenants are integral to the practices. However, this training will not equip students to offer in-depth Buddhist teachings.

Detailed Class Overview

Week 1
Motivation, Mind, The Four Foundations of Mindfulness

Class 1, Jan 7 — Welcome! Course Container, Overview and Agreements. Principle Teaching Topic: Two-Fold Motivation

Weekend 1, Jan 10 / 11 — Environment and Posture, Key Components of a Meditation, Introduction to the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Deep Dive into The First Foundation of Mindfulness (Body and Breath).

Week 2
Foundational Buddhist Tenants, Buddhist Schools, First and Second Foundations of Mindfulness

Class 2, Jan 14 — Major Buddhist Lineages and How Mindfulness + Loving-kindness Fit In

Weekend 2, Jan 17 / 18, Option to Attend In-Person — Introduction to Foundational Buddhist Teachings such as The Four Noble Truths and The Three Poisons. First and Second Foundations of Mindfulness (Body and Feeling). Introduction to Leading Meditations. Students Start Practice Teaching.

Week 3
Working with the Nervous System, Third Foundation of Mindfulness, Introduction to Loving-Kindness

Class 3, Jan 21 — The Vagus Nerve and Gentle Breathing / Somatic Techniques to Prepare for Meditation

Weekend 3, Jan 24 / 25, Option to Attend In-Person — Introduction to The Third Foundation of Mindfulness (Mind / Wholesome Mind-States). Using the Body to Self-Regulate. Introduction to Loving-Kindness. How to Set-Up and Introduce A Meditation. Continued Teaching Practice.

Week 4
Questions of Appropriation and Suitability, Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Loving-Kindness Continued

Class 4, Jan 28 — Trauma-Informed Teaching + Common Questions / Scenarios

Weekend 4, Jan 31 / Feb 1 — The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness. Appropriation, Suitability and Dangers of Mindfulness. Loving-Kindness Continued. Continued Teaching Practice, Including Loving-Kindness Meditation.

Week 5
Final Teaching Assessment, Ethical Responsibilities of Guiding Meditations, Integration

Class 5, Feb 4 —  Further Refining Our Teaching Language + Continued Teaching Practice

Weekend 5, Feb 7 / 8 — Final Teaching Assessments, Ethical Responsibilities of Guiding Meditations, Community and Oversight, Money, Integration . . . and Celebration!