Meditation

Meditation has been proven by medical science to reduce heart rate, reduce the effects of stress on the physical and mental body, and to induce calm and relaxation. At Fern Life Center, we believe it is an essential practice for balanced health and offer classes in basic breath awareness and sound meditation. It is impossible to learn to meditate from a book and easier to keep a steady practice when there is a community invested in your success.

Many people are confused about what meditation is and bewildered by the variety of practices that exist. We have attempted to give you an overview.

View our schedule of upcoming classes! Call (425) 391-FERN (3376) or e-mail to pre-register.

Pranayama (Breath Awareness)

Taught by Keesha Ewers, ARNP, AAP, RYT

In the past, the practice of pranayama was limited to a select few, namely monks, ascetics, and mystics. Today, it is both possible and necessary to disseminate the techniques of regulated breathing and concentration on a vastly wider scale. The system of pranayama is credited with conferring upon its practitioner a calm, balanced, and focused mind, increased vitality, and longevity. Pranayama awakens the brain and the cerebrospinal nerve centers to their limitless potential. There is ample proof that many of the great spiritual and intellectual giants of the past were adepts in the practice of pranayama in one form or another. Regular pranayama practice reduces weight, depression, increases thyroid function, and leads to a feeling of well being and joy.

4 week course: $ 40.00

Meditation for Beginners

Taught by Keesha Ewers, ARNP, AAP, RYT

Simple So Hum meditation which brings the student to understand the nature of the mind and deepens awareness of attachments that lead to patterns of behavior that can disrupt peace and harmony in one’s life. Ancient masters have described the mind as the “monkey mind” in an effort to describe the effect scattered thoughts can have on our awareness, concentration, and emotions. Meditation calms the monkey mind and settles the thoughts, allowing our true nature to emerge. 4 week courses $ 40.00.

Coming Soon: Sangha Meditation (free)

Fern Life Center will be open for community (sangha) meditation free of charge for early morning meditation after students take an introductory meditation course, a pranayama course, and practice yoga at least weekly. Sangha is a Pali or Sanskrit word and  roughly translates as “assembly” or “association”. The importance of a strong Sangha cannot be underestimated. The Buddha taught that without a Sangha, regular yoga/meditation practice will become diluted and chaotic and likely fade away.

Thich Nhat Hanh wrote in “The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching”:

“Dharma books and tapes are valuable, but the true Dharma is revealed through our life and our practice…There are said to be 84,000 Dharma doors…To take refuge in the Dharma is to choose the doors that are most appropriate for us. Dharma is great compassion, understanding, and love. To realize these qualities, we need a Sangha…When a Sangha shines its light on our personal views, we see more clearly. In the Sangha, we won’t fall into negative habit patterns.”