Correspondence Course in Insight Meditation

I just received a flyer from Sounds True (Boulder, CO) announcing a new correspondence course in Insight Meditation; the detailed and generously illustrated syllabus is written by Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein, and students work through each lesson with a personal tutor. The course ($148) is designed for folks with no prior meditation experience.

What I find interesting is not so much the course itself, but that Salzberg and Goldstein (major figures in Insight Meditation) apparently feel that meditation can be taught by correspondence. The only other fellow I know of who has tried to do anything like this is Geshe Michael Roach of the Asian Classics Institute (I ordered the first course in his program, and was unimpressed both with the level of rigor--sample answer sheets were provided--and the lack of student support; the one time I phoned my tutor, she sounded annoyed to be hearing from a student).



Cheers,

 

Hi Tom - thanks for posting this info. The course has been offered for about two years now and while I've not enrolled myself I'm aware that the instructors are among the most prestigious in the West. Both have played a major role in the development of the Insight Meditation Society located a short drive from me in Barre, Massachusetts. Aside from their meditation teaching/practice function they also operate one of the most extensive Buddhist studies programs (non-degree) in the country. You can check it all out at:
http://www.dharma.org
Jack

 

You know, I think I'll just have to . . . yes, to got it . . . meditate on it!

Starkman
aka starry-eyed man!

 

Starkman - In my neighborhood it's generally considered bad form to make fun of peoples religious beliefs. How about you?
Jack

 

Usually a laugh is a good thing even if involves a serious topic. I am very interested in the program you listed and in Tom's link but I did get a chuckle out of Starkman's post.
Wishing you well
Dave Hayden

 

Re: meditation

Jack,

Really, I meant not offense whatsoever. It was just a play on words. A pun, that's all. There was no intent, or even a hint, that I was making fun of a religion or religious conviction. I'm sorry if, however, that is what it seemed to be.

Most sincerely,

Starkman

 

Re: Re: meditation

OK. Perhaps I was being overly sensitive.
Jack

 

My jokes!

Hey, not a problem at all, Jack.
I love humor, but sometimes I'm not as careful as I should be!

 

laughing and learning

You like teaching? Then you'll find that your students learn well when the lesson is spiced with humor. Good for you. Teaching is only half knowledge, the other half is an effective and interesting delivery.