Certificate in Meditation

The Health Effects of Meditation

Meditation is a mind-body practice with many methods and variations that are all grounded in the silence and stillness of present-moment awareness. Evidence of meditation's health effects has been well documented: the practice offers improvement in the symptoms of various disease conditions in addition to the experience of a deeper spiritual connection.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the health effects of meditation, including its psychological and physiological effects.

Meditation Types and Practices

There are many types of meditation. Some types appeal to people of an intellectual nature, while other types appeal to those who prefer the path of love and surrender. Individuals with an active approach to life may prefer meditation techniques involving movement, while other individuals enjoy using a mantra, visualization, or concentration. Although there are many other types of meditation, this course covers Transcendental Meditation™, guided imagery and visualization meditation, mindfulness meditation, Osho Kundalini Meditation™, Vipassana meditation, walking meditation, laughter meditation, centering prayer meditation, and concentration meditation.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to explore the different types of meditation, techniques, and practices and examine the role of meditation in health and wellness.

Meditation and Religious Traditions

Although there are many ways to meditate and many different forms of meditation, they all share a unifying characteristic: each one focuses on intentionally training a person's attention and concentration. Meditation practices are used by diverse cultures to promote healing, are rooted in the traditions of the great religions, and have been practiced for thousands of years.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the meditation practices in the religious traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Sufism.

Mindfulness Meditation

Widely accepted, used, and studied within mainstream medicine, mindfulness meditation involves paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and without judgment. The health benefits of mindfulness meditation include improvements in dealing with stress, pain, and illness. Anyone can engage in this form of meditation, which places no emphasis on religious or faith practices.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe mindfulness meditation, including the health benefits of mindfulness meditation, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and the techniques and practices for mindfulness meditation.