Meditation: free online audio program

[apl]

Hi all,

I recently stumbled across a free online mediation course that I thought some of you may be interested in. It consists of 7 lessons, and each lesson has 3 sub-lessons. Each sub-lesson is an mp3 file that you can download. The course is by a guy named Burt Goldman ("the American Monk"). He states that his goal is for his course to reach 1 million people.

Before I give you the web address for the course, though, there's a bit more I should tell you....

If you sign up (which requires you to provide your email address), over the next few weeks you'll get access to the first sub-lesson from each lesson. However, to get access to the other two sub-lessons, you have to accumulate "karma points" by referring other people to the website. That is, for every person you refer, you get one karma point. For every five karma points you accumulate, you get access to another sub-lesson.

So, yes, I have a vested interested in telling you about this course If you would like to sign up, and would also like to give me a "karma point" for referring you to the website, then please sign up via the following link:

American Monk: Zen for the Western Soul

However, if you don't think I deserve a karma point , you can alternatively sign up by going straight to the website's homepage here:

American Monk: Zen for the Western Soul

By the way, if you were wondering, the webpage content is exactly the same in both cases. The only difference is in whether or not I get a karma point if you subsequently sign up.

Enjoy!

[Nico Kempe]

Sounds nice, thanks.
Too bad tho that it uses this system, I don't really like to 'spam' people and I'm usually quick to delete mails with such links myself.

It is, however, interesting, I think I'll give it a try anyway..)

[estrella]

Originally Posted by apl

Hi all,

I recently stumbled across a free online mediation course

As you've been there, would you please answer my question (before I go to any link): what is it about? Does it teach what you have to "do" during meditation?

I ask because I hardly imagine how this is done in several lessons. Either one knows how to do it and then, if need is there, is "taught" by someone on one-to-one coaching (or so), or one does read something about meditation, and practice! - there is so much stuff out there.

[apl]

Originally Posted by estrella

As you've been there, would you please answer my question (before I go to any link): what is it about? Does it teach what you have to "do" during meditation?

The following describes the three parts of lesson one and is taken directly from the website:

1. The Daisy Pond

In the Daisy Pond Technique I'll guide you into a state of peaceful meditation. You'll feel your stress and worries dissapear and come out a few minutes later feeling immensely relaxed and at peace. This technique lasts 15 minutes. Start this today by downloading the audio in the the audio section below this page. The beating sound you hear in the background is designed to help guide your brain into a state of meditation.

Download
2. The Bagha

Experiencing meditation is one thing, but how do you relax yourself in a stressful situation? Say in the middle of a meeting or argument. Here's where the Bagha comes in. I'll show you how to establish a mental "trigger" that will allow you to enter a state of meditation anytime during the day - even with your eyes open. (9 mins)

Download
3. The Thought Stopping Technique

You need 10 "Karma Points" to unlock this file. Refer your friends to receive additional "Karma Points"!

On Lesson 2:

1. The Metaphor Technique

The Metaphor Technique is used to change your feelings about something from negative to neutral. You can use it to overcome a fears like of flying or spiders. You can also use it to change your feelings towards someone or a situation. Are you angry at someone? Use this technique to neutralize that anger. The Metaphor puts you in control over your feelings and phobias towards people and situations.

Download
2. The Polarity Switch Technique

You need 15 "Karma Points" to unlock this file. Refer your friends to receive additional "Karma Points"!
3. The Tapping Technique

You need 20 "Karma Points" to unlock this file. Refer your friends to receive additional "Karma Points"!

Lesson 3:

1. The Energy Shield

The Energy Shield is a technique to prevent negative thoughts or the negative energies of others from affecting you. Think of it as wrapping yourself in a protective bubble of energy.

Download
2. Majestic Sight

You need 25 "Karma Points" to unlock this file. Refer your friends to receive additional "Karma Points"!
3. The Attraction Magnet

You need 30 "Karma Points" to unlock this file. Refer your friends to receive additional "Karma Points"!

At the time I started this thread, I'd only listened to first part of lesson 1 (as that was all I had access to). This was basically just a guided visualisation called "The Daisy Pond". It was OK - I certainly felt very relaxed after doing it, and that was its purpose.

Since then (as you can see from above) I've attained access to the first parts of lessons 2 and 3, and the second part of lesson 1 (thank you to the five of you who gave me the karma points!). Frankly, I haven't got a great deal out of these three parts. For example, the second part of lesson 2 - which goes for 9 minutes - can be summarised as follows: to perform the bagha, close your mouth and place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Honestly, there isn't much more content in it than that.

Each of the audio tapes starts off with a five minute introduction that is meant to get you into a relaxed, focussed and contented state of mind. This involves some mental imagery and positive self-talk. There isn't much discussion about what to "do" during meditation, apart from being comfortable. In particular, there's no discussion about posture.

From what I can tell so far, the course is really more about general personal development tools and techniques than it is about meditation. Now that I know this, I realise this is probably the wrong forum for this thread. Apologies to those who I may have mislead!

Also, now that I've heard a bit more of the course, I don't think that everyone will benefit from it. However, I'm sure some people will take something worthwhile from this course, such as those who are new to personal development. The "Daisy Pond" lesson alone is probably worth signing up for if you're into guided visualisation-style meditation for the purpose of relaxation.

[estrella]

Hi apl, just wanted to tell you: thank you for replying and for your honesty!
I don't know the other people here to judge if this forum is the right place or not. I surely will not go to this web-site, as I am already with some (special) kind(s) of meditation. But I really appreciate your honesty, this is rare. Thank you.

[serge1966]

Originally Posted by apl

Hi all,

I recently stumbled across a free online mediation course that I thought some of you may be interested in. It consists of 7 lessons, and each lesson has 3 sub-lessons. Each sub-lesson is an mp3 file that you can download. The course is by a guy named Burt Goldman ("the American Monk"). He states that his goal is for his course to reach 1 million people.

Before I give you the web address for the course, though, there's a bit more I should tell you....

Were you able to successfully submit new email addresses through their website? I can download the first lesson, but when I type new email address and click on "Invite your friends", nothing happens. I tried 4 different computers and it never worked.

Thank you
Serge

[breeze76]

hi everybody

[Joeyh]

I don't like the idea of having to give friend's emails out. Either it's free or it's not. Just because no money is involved doesn't necessarily make it free. Smacks of slick marketing and not the altruistic "I want to bring this to the world because it's so important" that he proparted it to be. Making money on your efforts is not a bad thing at all, but don't market it one way and then sneak in all the extras. Seems disingenuous to me.