
Third Thursday Spiritual Forum.
April 19, 2018; 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Meditation is a time-honored practice key to developing desirable inner qualities. Confusion can arise because many types of meditation have been developed. In this presentation we first provide a broad overview from eastern, western, religious and secular perspectives, discussing their disparate goals and ethos. Eastern and religious traditions tend to emphasize spiritual values like love, compassion, mindfulness, and/or connection with spirit. Other perspectives may emphasize peacefulness and self-knowledge, though there is naturally significant overlap. We will also delve into current neuroscience studies and discuss the four stages of brain activation that occur during meditation. We will demonstrate and briefly experience four common meditations that roughly line up with the four perspectives, giving you a short “taste” of each to see which type resonates best with you.
Stephen Burden is a long-time meditator, meditation instructor, and psychotherapist. He is the head of study at Nalandabodhi Boulder. Nalandabodhi provides a curriculum of study, meditation, and mindful activity based on Buddhist teachings and made relevant to everyday life. He has extensively taught multiple kinds of meditation, including Zen and Buddhist meditation, and meditation techniques for aiding in recovery from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). His PTSD work is ongoing at the Vetern’s Administration hospital in Denver. He is also a practicing psychotherapist in Boulder.
Third Thursday Spiritual Forums present mind-broadening and spirit-enriching spiritual topics, and are held at the Center for Spiritual Living Boulder Valley, 107 E. Geneseo St, Lafayette, CO. Refreshments will be provided after the presentation. For further information about the forum, contact Dr. Jay Burch by phone (720-917-9303) or by email (jayburch333@gmail.com).