BMCM Video Study Guides
Satsang Coordinators Curriculum for
Learning to Live in Unity with All
Tape 14
Lesson One
Introduction: “This month we are considering the goal of meditation:
learning to see the unity of life, and to live in harmony with it. In the video
tape talks and readings Sri Easwaran will discuss the process of stilling the
mind through meditation and spiritual disciplines, which gradually enables us
to see life as one and indivisible.”
Then, ask a member to read the following: “Sri Easwaran says, 'At the core
of all these spiritual disciplines is one simple, impossible demand: Still your
mind. When the mind is still, self-will is totally extinguished. When self-will
is totally extinguished, the barrier falls between you and your shining Self.'
"To find this stillness of mind, we need to cultivate equanimity. For all
of us, life brings both desired and undesired events. When we get the things we
want, we tend to get elated and consider it a good day. When we get the things
we don't want, we are likely to get frustrated or depressed and call it a bad
day. This cycle of elation and depression keeps us from seeing life as it is.
It blinds us to the opportunities hidden in misfortune, and makes us vulnerable
to disappointment when the things we desired fail to satisfy us.”
Then ask the group: “Do you see this dynamic of elation and frustration in
your life? How have you used the Eight Points to stay even-minded?”
When it's time for inspiration, please watch the first of the talks on the
video tape, “The Perennial Philosophy” (34 minutes long). For groups
that are not using the videos, please read from “Keeping the Mind
Steady” in The Mantram Handbook, by Sri Easwaran.
Conclude the meeting with 30 minutes of meditation.
Lesson Two
Introduction: “This week we are continuing with the theme of
cultivating an even mind throughout the day. Let's start with a brief exercise.
Reflect on the last few days or weeks. Was there an incident that makes you
elated when you think about it? Write or repeat your mantram silently for a
minute as a way to restore even-mindedness.”
After a minute, say: “Now, reflect again on the last few days or weeks.
Was there an incident that makes you feel frustrated or depressed? Once more,
write or repeat your mantram for a minute as a way to let it go and stay
even-minded.”
Then, ask: “This exercise is meant to give us a little taste of how we
might treat all events in our life alike without getting elated or
depressed, but rather, giving equal attention and interest to everything that
happens. What are your reactions? How might you apply this dynamic in your
life, using the Eight Points? How might it change the way you see life?”
When it's time for inspiration, please read “Elation and Depression”
in The Mantram Handbook.
Conclude the meeting with 30 minutes of meditation.
Lesson Three
Introduction: “This month, our focus is on learning to see our
unity with others, and live in harmony with them. This week's lesson is about
changing our perspective.”
Then, read the following: “Discovering the unity of life requires a change
of perspective, in which we look upon the needs of others as our own to such an
extent that we are less concerned with our own profit and loss than with the
well-being of those around us. Through the point of Putting Others First, we
can use that change of perspective to improve our equanimity and deepen our own
sense of security.
“In the last exercise, we identified occasions that make our mind go up
and down and we used the mantram to restore equanimity. Another way to keep the
mind even is to shift your focus away from yourself by doing something kind or
helpful for others. Simple, inconspicuous acts of consideration are most
effective.
“Have you noticed this connection between Putting Others First and
equanimity? Sometimes it is difficult to stay even-minded when we are thinking
of others particularly when they do not meet our expectations, or when we are
excessively attached to them. How can we use the Eight Points to maintain our
detachment and equanimity while still giving others the attention and care they
need?”
When it's time for inspiration, please watch the second of the talks on the
video tape, “The Dance of Life” (34 minutes long). For groups that
aren't using the videos, please read from “Mother Teresa” in Love
Never Faileth, by Sri Easwaran.
Conclude the meeting with 30 minutes of meditation.
Lesson Four
Introduction: “This week we are concluding our unit on seeing the
unity of life. In what situations do you find yourself most aware of your unity
with others? Has the Eight Point Program helped you feel that unity more
deeply? In what ways? How might you use the Eight Points to be more conscious
of that unity?”
When it's time for inspiration, please read (or continue reading) from
“Mother Teresa” in Love Never Faileth.
Conclude the meeting with 30 minutes of meditation.
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How to Use This Curriculum
The BMCM monthly video series presents a special opportunity for BMCM
Satsangs to enrich the content of their meetings and coordinate their program
with the Center and with other Satsangs. Each month many of our Satsangs will
be following this program, which has been created by workshop presenters at the
BMCM, based on programs at our Tuesday night Satsangs in Petaluma and Berkeley.
This video curriculum is not required. The choice of which of our approved
formats to follow is up to you and your Satsang. We understand that not all
groups have access to a TV and VCR for showing video tapes. While the videos
are a great aid in using this curriculum, it is also possible to follow it
without the videos, using the questions for reflection and readings that are
contained in this curriculum.
We do recommend this curriculum (and especially the videos) as an ideal way for
a new group (or a “Satsang of One’) to get well grounded in Sri
Easwaran's core teachings and to feel more “in touch” with the
Center. If you would like assistance in deciding on a format, please feel free
to contact us at the address below.
The choice of when to start using the curriculum is also up to you. Week One,
therefore, may end up being the second or third week of the month. That's fine.
But we do suggest that you follow the order of the weekly curricula as they
appear here. For groups that meet monthly, you may want to use only the weekly
sections that include videos, or to cover two weekly sections if your meeting
is longer.
We have tried to make this Satsang curriculum flexible enough that it can be
used completely within the Eight Point Format, as outlined in the Satsang
Guidelines. For your “Eight Point Focus” you can continue to cycle
through the Eight Points weekly or monthly as it suits your group, and use this
curriculum to deepen your study of Sri Easwaran's teachings.
For those of you who distribute messages via email to your Satsang, feel free
to forward parts of this email to members as a preview of the coming month's
program.
We are eager to hear about your experiences with this curriculum, and welcome
your feedback. Please send it to:
satsang@nilgiri.org
or
Robbie Nichols
BMCM
P O Box 256
Tomales, CA 94971
Copyright (c) 2003, Blue Mountain Center of Meditation