I’ve never been to Advaita Meditation Center. How can I learn more and get an introduction to what the center has to offer?
Our free Open Houses, on the first Thursday of every month, and our half-day Meditation Workshops are open to all who are interested in learning more about meditation and AMC. Those who have a regular meditation practice may attend our Open Meditation evenings on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Many who attend these events go on to enroll in the introductory courses.
What classes are open to me if I am new to the center?
Advaita Meditation Center can help you to bring meditation into your life or to deepen and strengthen the meditation you already practice. For those new to meditation, we offer a series of three ten-week classes, beginning with Introduction to Meditation, followed by Initiation to Mantra Meditation and then Meditation and Advaita.
After that, you may proceed to A Course in Advaita, a series of classes designed to deepen meditation practice and help you to realize the principles of Advaita in your daily life.
Or you may wish to begin with Sanskrit study and take meditation and Advaita classes later.
See the full description for each class below.
- Introduction to Meditation: A progressive series of in-class exercises and between-class practices allows you to begin experiencing the benefits of meditation immediately. No experience is necessary. A one-day retreat is included. Cost: $200
- Initiation to Mantra Meditation: For those who have completed the Introduction to Meditation class or have prior meditation experience, these classes prepare you for a successful mid-term initiation and provide ample support as you continue to practice. The class includes a weekend retreat with initiation. Cost: $330
- Meditation and Advaita: Open to anyone who has been initiated into mantra meditation, either at AMC or elsewhere, this class provides the opportunity to deepen your practice and understanding in advanced sessions set in the context of Advaita philosophy. The class includes optional retreat time. Cost: $200.
- Introductory Sanskrit: Our 10-week course explores this ancient language, rich in spiritual terminology and meaning. Learn to write the Devanagari alphabet and unlock the essence of key words working with the Sanskrit-English dictionary. Examine key passages of the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras in light of Advaita philosophy to grasp their practical meaning. (Click here to see all of our Sanskrit courses).
What classes can I take after completion of the introductory sequence?
Your teacher will be happy to confer with you and help decide how best to meet your personal goals through one of the following.
- A Course in Advaita: This series of ten-week classes over several years provides a thorough and practical grounding in Advaita philosophy through further exploration of meditation and related practices, through study of ancient and modern writings and through practical exercises and volunteer service. Classes include optional study days, weekend retreats and opportunities for volunteer service.
- Senior Study Group: This group meets on a weekly basis, is introduced to basic Sanskrit and has opportunities for weekend retreats, study days and volunteer service.
- Working Group: Those who wish to make a serious commitment to their spiritual work and to the center may be invited to join the Working Group, who participate in weekend and longer retreats, study days and volunteer service. Working Group members have major responsibility for the center and its activities.
What is available if I am not enrolled in one of the above courses?
Various center offerings are open to the public, to those who have completed the introductory sequence, or to those who already have a regular meditation practice. These include meditation weekend retreats, Open Meditation evenings, one-on-one meditation checks, day-long workshops, a variety of Sanskrit classes and groups that study the works of Emerson and other philosophers. See Classes & Activities for details.
For more information on meditation at the Advaita Meditation Center, please contact us at 781-647-0020 or info@advaitameditation.org.
