Mindfulness and Compassion Teacher Training Program 2023 -2024
Knowledge Skills Awakening
Enrollments for this program are now being accepted, start date February 2023. This program is for those who want to teach mindfulness and compassion aligned with the deep wisdom of the teachings of the Buddha. It is also for those who want to engage in an ongoing program of study to deepen their own journey of awakening. The course will develop an understanding of the principles and application of the practices underlying meditation, mindfulness and the Boundless Heart qualities of loving kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity. This program is a foundational program for those who want to enter the Insight Meditation Dharma teacher path.
Delivery mode Attendance can be either face to face or live on Zoom. Ideally, depending on circumstance, we would like all participants to attend the first workshop of each year in person and the others can be in person or on line. Depending on health restrictions some modules may be delivered fully online.
Knowledge, Skills and Awakening These form the basis of becoming a mindfulness and compassion teacher. The program is designed to support you to develop all three within a framework of ethics based on the principles of non-harming, wise speech and skillful communication. Knowledge Component This will draw upon the traditional teachings of the Buddha on mindfulness and compassion as well as a contemporary understanding provided by mindfulness based psychotherapy and neuropsychology. Skills Component This will provide insight into how to introduce various practices, how to language instructions and develop the skills needed for attunement, empathy and sensitivity in the teaching role. There will be practice opportunities and mentoring to develop the confidence to lead small groups. Awakening Component To awaken to our own essential nature is an ongoing and integral part of becoming a mindfulness and compassion teacher. Authentic teaching comes from your own insight and embodiment of the teachings and your lived experience. It is by sharing from your direct experience that one radiates and inspires others to a life of mindfulness and loving-kindness.
Program structure This is a two year program. Each year will comprise:
4 weekend workshops face to face or via Zoom (non-residential). Face to face is the preferred way to attend the course. In order to minimise long distance travel we will also be offering the weekend modules via Zoom. Ideally we would like everyone to attend in person modules 1 & 5, but this is very dependent on what is possible given the pandemic restrictions.
3 Webinar on-line group sessions each year of approximately 2 hour duration.
Online small group Mentoring sessions
Peer based study and practice groups
In addition participants are required to attend at least one 5 to 7 day Insight Meditation retreat each year (price not included here).
Please note If you are a heath professional 52 PD hours will be awarded each year.
Cost for Each Year will be $2,500 au per year, payed each year or quarterly.
Location - Modules for those attending face to face will be held in Sydney. Times - 9 to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday
Dates for 2023 Weekend Modules 18-19 February 20-21 May 19-20 August 18-19 November
Dates for 2024 Weekend Modules 17-18 February 18-19 May 17-18 August 23-24 November
CURRICULUM
MINDFULNESS The mindfulness stream includes:
* Understanding the theoretical, philosophical and practical aspects of mindfulness based on the Satipatthana Suta; mindfulness of body, feelings, mindstates, dharma teachings
* The use of movement practices to engage the somatic experience * Deepening your personal mindfulness practice and realisation * Applying mindfulness in daily life to free oneself from habitual reactive tendencies * Establishing familiarity with current research findings on the effects of mindfulness meditation * Developing skills and confidence in leading individual and small group sessions and responding to questions
BOUNDLESS HEART Training in the compassion stream includes:
Training in the Boundless Heart qualities of; Loving-kindness, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity
Understand the theoretical, philosophical and meditative practices of the Boundless Heart
The role of compassion in healing emotional and psychological suffering
Deepening and inquiring into your personal experience of the open heart
Establish a familiarity with current research findings on the effects of mindfulness self-compassion
Models, meditations and mentoring to support teaching the Boundless Heart practices
Prerequisites The following prerequisites are required:
Have an established regular meditation practice of a minimum of two years
Have attended at least three 5 or 7 days meditation retreats in the style of Insight or Vipassana meditation
Desirable but not essential - currently involved or will be involved in a teaching role in allied modalities such as health, yoga, fitness, group work, social work, conflict resolution, social activism and counselling
Other experiences that would support your application include:
Have attended the 8 week MBSR program or MBSR teacher training
Participated in the 'Power of Awareness' on line program with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield
Have taken 'Entering the Path' 12 week course at the Barre Center of Buddhist studies
Have done the 'Compassion Training' with the Compassion Mind foundation
Other personal growth workshops, or psychotherapy training
A reference from a senior Insight meditation dharma teacher
If you are interested to enroll please complete the application form and or contact one of the teachers.
The Mindfulness and Compassion Teaching Diploma On successful completion of the program and subject to meeting the qualification criteria a Diploma in Mindfulness and Compassion Teaching will be issued by the Insight Meditation Institute. The criteria for qualification include:
Attendance is required for at least 75% of all sessions (modules and webinars).
Any sessions missed are to be made up by use of notes, audio files and doing the experiential inquiry exercises.
Attending at least one silent Insight Meditation retreat of 5 days or more per year, led by an Insight teacher recognised by the Institute (price of this is not included in the course fee).
Issuing of a diploma is subject to the teachers being satisfied with the students participation level, understanding, ethical standards and competency in applying the teachings.