About the Silent Meditation Program
The Silent Meditation Program has been developed over many years out of necessity for a continual support for practicing meditators. It closes the gap between learning and practicing by offering a safe environment in an ongoing program where meditators can experience group meditation, share that experience, ask questions and be inspired by gaining a greater understanding of their practice.
This program is open to everyone: beginning, intermediate and advanced meditators are equally welcome, as well as non-meditators who are looking for a gentle way to be introduced to meditation.
Most importantly: Belief is not required! Regardless of the participant's background or beliefs, the program will not seek to challenge but to enliven one's experience. That is by discussing the subject of and around meditation while honoring everyone's truth.
Structure
The Silent Meditation Program follows a simple structure:
Meditating in the group
There is a significant difference between meditating alone and in a group. The power of the group meditating together quite often leads to a more solid and deeper experience in comparison to the meditation at home. We utilize the group and experience meditating together while in class, so that everyone can benefit from this great source.
Sharing the experience
Sharing the experience has two intentions.
- We share our experience in order to bring forth questions, doubts, worries, but also positive experiences and changes in our lives. This will allow the teacher and students to reflect on the experience which most certainly will help somebody else as well.
- Initially, meditation is experienced as a journey inward to the very depth of our Being. Sharing our experience follows the natural flow of life and energy – inward and outward – and brings our internal experience outward to the group. This is a rather subtle process but nonetheless important and beneficial.
Engaging the intellect
In addition to meditating and sharing, which are the practical sides of mediation, we also engage our intellect to create a balance for a full understanding of meditation. This is in form of a lesson which can be a lecture, a group exercise, a story, etc. The purpose is to keep the mind interested while we get further into the practice of meditation. That prevents boredom and a possible disengagement from the practice.
By following this simple structure we ensure an engaging experience for all participants and lay the ground work for the best possible result on everyone's journey.
Lesson plan
There are more than a 100 lessons that make up the lesson plan of the Silent Meditation Program. These lessons are divided into four distinct sections:
- basic
- intermediate
- advanced
- unified
Among the topics that are covered in the lessons are the following:
- Basic understanding of meditation: the why, how, when, where, and with/without whom • Stress release and health: research and personal observations
- Basic universal principles/attitudes: praise, gratitude, love and compassion
- Religion and meditation
- Stages of consciousness • Enlightenment
More Information
For more information. There are a collection of questions and answers around the Silent Meditation Program put together under the FAQ page.
Also, feel free to get in touch with us if you have more questions or suggestions.
About the teacher
Jean-Marie "John" Schweizer has been meditating for close to 30 years, starting very young out of necessity and genuine curiosity. He practiced many different techniques and followed many different programs.
About 15 years ago he became a meditation teacher and taught classes around the world. He travelled and lived on three continents (the above picture has been taken in the Australian desert) and continued to develop his understanding of practicing meditation and its effects in the physical and spiritual Expression.
He started developing the Silent Meditation Program out of frustration for the lack of a support system after people learned how to meditate. He believes that it is the practice of meditation and sharing of our experience while engaging our intellect that truly allows us to develop greater Understanding.
John about his inspiration:
My greatest inspiration in life is my wife, Elaine. While I stand in the forefront and create, it is her support that gives true meaning to what I do. She enjoys being the silent partner in our life's adventure, but no less powerful and significant.
John is currently working on a book about meditation that explains the basic concepts of its powerful practice, filled with interesting information and serving as a guide for further development. He is also putting together a workbook that accompanies the over-100 lessons in the Silent Meditation Program.