Giving Meditation Classes
Giving Meditation Classes
By profession I am an economics teacher. I enjoy my job; it is fairly varied and I am quite good at talking about economics all day.
However, despite being a teacher I was quite reluctant to teach meditation classes to the general public. I think this was due to a few reasons. It is easy to talk about current account deficits, but it wasn't quite so easy to talk on more ethereal subjects such as
consciousness, inner peace, and meditation. Spirituality used to feel very much a personal quest (and still does to a large extent). Because of this I was perhaps somewhat reticent to speak about spirituality and my own experiences to others.
However, with a little encouragement I did make a start. In the beginning I often finished speaking earlier than I expected, but I felt this didn't matter too much. If I ran out of things to say I often would repeat the most important things I had mentioned in previous classes. This is an advantage of meditation – you don't need lots of information. Meditation is primarily a very simple activity. Its very simplicity is sometimes what the mind struggles with.
One unexpected bonus of giving classes is that I found my own meditation improved. When meditating on my own, often I find it is too easy to relax and "meditate" with a mind full of thoughts. During classes we meditate for a short time - 10 or 15 minutes -
but this short period feels very focused. There is the intense energy from meditating in a group. Also you feel a greater responsibility; because you are telling the seekers to get rid of thoughts, you feel you have to do it yourself.
The good thing about giving classes is that it doesn't matter too much whether you are a good speaker. Usually, the most popular parts of the classes are the exercises anyway. In particular, soulful music by Sri Chinmoy - and by groups of his students - proves to be a very accessible way for helping seekers to feel a meditative consciousness.
Many seekers who come to classes are grateful for the opportunity to learn about meditation. They also appreciate the fact we are not proselytising on behalf of our spiritual path. Very few of the seekers who come will be inclined to join the Sri Chinmoy Centre, but we only offer what we have and then let the seekers decide which is the best approach for them.
Seekers sometimes ask why we give free classes. I respond by saying it is something that we enjoy doing. I joined the Sri Chinmoy Centre after coming to classes over 6 years ago. I have benefited tremendously from this type of meditation, so am happy to offer the same service to other people. But also I do it because I enjoy giving classes and meeting other seekers.
I Pray, I meditate
