"Meditation: Traditions and Practices" at USF, a Jesuit catholic university

Event: "Meditation: Traditions and Practices"
Organization: University of San Francisco(USF), a Jesuit catholic university.
Audience: University Students , ~30 students
Duration: 45 minutes (25 minutes presentation, 15 minutes meditation experience)

We were invited as a guest speaker as a part of the course "Meditation: Traditions and Practices" in USF, a Jesuit catholic university by Associate Professor John Nelson of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies and Director(Asian Studies Degree Program) of USF.

Feedback:
We may get invited next year.
Many students of this class visited our meditation center to know more about us and to experience meditation.

Brief Overview:

Details of the course:

"Meditation: Traditions and Practices"Fall 2008

This 1-unit course introduces students to the diverse practices of meditation in a systematic, historical, ethnographic, and experiential manner. Four types of meditative practices will be introduced—reflection, cultivation, concentration, and mindfulness—but our emphasis will be on the last type. Each class will provide an opportunity for students to both gain insight into and explore through direct experience various meditative practices derived from Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity. When possible, guest speakers who are involved in a particular practice will introduce its methodology and guide the class in a short meditation that is representative of the tradition.

Learning Outcomes

Students taking this class will explore various types of meditation, assess the scientific and spiritual benefits of meditation, visit local centers and temples, and record their progress and discoveries in journals.

Assessment

Student will keep journals of the class (guidelines forthcoming), and produce an annotated bibliography of 15 entries (guidelines forthcoming). They will also make a final presentation which will...

• describe their fieldsite & position it within the tradition of meditation

• recount their experience at the site

• convey information from an interview with a long-time practitioner

• analyze the experience from personal and scholarly perspectives

Class Schedule (15 meetings)

10. 7 (T) Brahma Kumaris (Guest)

Readings: CR, Brahma Kumaris history

Students' fair at the Golden Gate University

Event: Participation in students' fair

Organization: Golden Gate University.

Date: Nov 2008

Activity: The BKs had a table in the Students' Fair and the Students' fair on the last day of the International Education Week.Meditation and Self-Development activities were promoted.Everyone enjoyed spinning the wheel titled "The Game of Life". The wheel's pointer would point to one of the different virtues or gift items like a blessing card or "Thought For Today" book.

Testimonial:

I heard good response from university about your activities. I am really happy that you have accepted my invitation. if you want to do something more then we will always invite you for it. -Nilesh Patel, Vice President of Public Relations, GGU

"Economics of Happiness" at Golden gate university

Event: "Economics of Happiness" at Golden gate university
Activity: Workshops on "Work-Life Balance" month Special Event
Date: Oct 2008

Flyer put up by the university :

Lunch Time Meditation Golden Gate University

Event: Lunchtime Meditation
Organization: Golden Gate University(GGU), San Francisco
When:Every Tuesday, between noon – 1 pm,

Activity: Meditation is conducted for the university students, staff and faculty at the university's premise in San Francisco's financial district. For the first half an hour, meditation is conducted using the combination of guided words, imagery, music and silence. Blessing cards are shared at the end of this meditation. In the next half hour, positive conversation takes place over each one's blessing wordings and sharing of good news happening around while having lunch together.

Benefit: Builds emotional strength and supportive relationships.

See attached flyer printed by the university.

Family Fair

Event: Family Fair
Organization: DCYF, City of San Francisco
Date: October 2008
Activity: Star Family Game for kids/ Tying Link of love. Kids learn the practical meaning of virtues.

Video:
http://www.dcyf.org/content.aspx?id=3172

Pictures:

Health Fair for Kids

Event: Health Fair and back pack give away.
Organization: UCSF
Activity: Star family virtue game / Tying Link of Love

Pictures:

Block Party on Lyon

Event: Booth in kids session of Block party @ Lyon and Baker.
Date : May 2008
Activity: Set up Gaint Octapus / Space for kids to play / paint /write virtues and interact with other children from the neighborhood.

Peace Workshop for Young Adults

Event: Peace Workshop for Young Adults
Oraganization: Mo-Magic
Activity:
1. 2 sessions Workshop on Living Values activities on conflict resolution using Mind mapping/Painting Art and Craft.
2. 2 sessions on arts and craft.

Date: August 2008

Pictures:

Living Value workshop for young adults

Event: A Living Value workshop for Children -Peace module.
Activities: Its a 4 session workshop for children from Prince Hall Learning Center.
Based on Appreciative Inquiry/ Art / Crafts/ Story telling/ Mediation for kids.
Date: April - May - June on Wednesday evenings.



Pictures:

Haight-Ashbury street fair

Street Fair: Haight-Ashbury
Date: June 2008
Activities: Star family virtues game /interactive puppets show for kids.

Feedback:
Lots of people Played the virtue game and get to know the more about the local youth activities.

Easter Egg Hunt

Event:
Great program with kids from neighborhood arranged by neighborhood association.
Date:
March 22, 2008
Activities involve:
1. Educating parents on the influence of their lifestyle on their children.
2. Easter Egg hunt/Games/ Singing /dancing/Story telling/Octupus
Around 40 kids came for the program with their parents.