Satipaṭṭhāna Meditation
An online study and practice course
Guided by Bhikkhu Anālayo
9 Weeks of practice and focused study on the liberating teachings of the Satipaṭṭhāna sutta, a foundational early Buddhist teaching
Satipaṭṭhāna Meditation is an interactive and comprehensive online program modeled on in-person courses offered globally by Venerable Bhikkhu Anālayo on the foundational mindfulness text the Satipaṭṭhāna-sutta. While based on scholarly research, the emphasis throughout this online course is on what is relevant to actual meditation practice. In order to promote accessibility and support individual learning styles, students are offered a variety of tools to make this text personally relevant and integrated into daily living.
The core text for this course is Satipaṭṭhāna Meditation: A Practice Guide by Bhikkhu Anālayo. The student experience is enriched by a variety of learning modalities and practice experiences, including interactive group study meetings facilitated by guiding teachers, recorded guided meditations and video lectures by Bhikkhu Analayo, moderated forum-based discussions, and practical exercises. Each week students will investigate one aspect of the four foundations of mindfulness, by contemplating a particular aspect of body, mind, feeling, or the dhammas.
Course Overview
 | Application time frame | June 12- August 10, 2019 |
 | Course dates | Sept 22 - Nov 23, 2019 |
 | Duration | 9 Weeks |
 | Time commitment | 6 - 8 hours per week |
 | Participation expectation | Intensive |
 | Prerequisite | Basic mindfulness practice |
 | Self-Paced components: | • Weekly lectures • reading assignments • sutta study • guided meditation • optional quizzes |
 | Interactive components | • Weekly 90 minute live small group discussions • sutta study meetings • moderated weekly written discussion forums |
Certification Track
This online course offers an optional certification track, which would qualify students to meet the prerequisites for Bhikkhu Anālayo's advanced online and residential courses (Mindfulness of Breathing and Brahmavihāra & Emptiness). The optional certification track requires the completion of a final reflection and review of participation.
Guiding Teacher
Bhikkhu Anālayo is a German scholar-monk and the author of several books on meditation, such as Satipaṭṭhāna: The Direct Path to Realization, Perspectives on Satipaṭṭhāna, and Satipaṭṭhāna Meditation: A Practice Guide. He is a Resident Scholar at Barre Center for Buddhist Studies and a professor at the Numata Center for Buddhist Studies at the University of Hamburg. His main area of academic research is early Buddhism, with a special interest in the topics of meditation and women in Buddhism. At the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies he regularly teaches residential study & practice courses, participates in online programs and undertakes research into meditation-related themes.
Facilitating Teachers
Tuere Sala
Tuere Sala is a guiding teacher of Seattle Insight Meditation Society and Capitol Hill Meditation Group. She has over 25 years of Buddhist meditation experience and is currently a participant in IMS’s 2017-2021 Teacher Training Program. Her teaching focus is on strengthening the value of everyday urban practice.
Rachel Lewis
Rachel Lewis is a participant in the 2017-2021 IMS Teacher Training Program, as well as a graduate of Spirit Rock’s Dedicated Practitioners Program and Community Dharma Leaders training. She began practicing meditation while completing her physics PhD at Yale. She developed a songbook of Buddhist music including her own choral arrangements of traditional chants. She has taught classes and retreats in British Columbia since 2010
Walt Opie
Walt Opie has practiced insight meditation with various teachers since 1993. He leads sitting groups for people in recovery and serves as a volunteer teacher with Buddhist Pathways Prison Project. A graduate of Spirit Rock's Community Dharma Leaders program, he is a participant in the 2017-2021 IMS Teacher Training Program.
Course Curriculum
| Week 1 | Orientation; Mindfulness, Satipaṭṭhāna |
| Week 2 | First Satipaṭṭhāna (Body): Contemplation of Anatomical Parts |
| Week 3 | First Satipaṭṭhāna (Body): Contemplation of Elements |
| Week 4 | First Satipaṭṭhāna (Body): Contemplation of Death |
| Week 5 | Second Satipaṭṭhāna (Feeling): Contemplation of Feelings |
| Week 6 | Third Satipaṭṭhāna (Mind): Contemplation of Mind |
| Week 7 | Fourth Satipaṭṭhāna (Dhammas): Contemplation of the Hindrances |
| Week 8 | Fourth Satipaṭṭhāna (Dhammas): Contemplation of the Awakening Factors |
| Week 9 | Conclusion and Integration |
Course Participation
This course requires considerable commitment from participants. We require attendance at weekly virtual meetings, as well as completion of writing prompts and course assessments throughout the program. The required time commitment is roughly 6-8 hours per week.
Each week includes:
- 1 hour of reading
- 90 minutes of a small group video meeting
- 20-30 minutes of video lectures
- 30 minutes of daily practice with guided meditations
- Contribution to written discussion boards
- Additional time for personal study and completion of course assessments
Ethical Commitment
In early Buddhist thought, tranquility and insight are complementary dimensions of meditative cultivation, traditionally based on a solid foundation in moral conduct and part of a gradual process of training. This online course will follow the Buddha's principle of ethics as the foundation for Satipaṭṭhāna practice. Participation in this course is supported by group commitment to respect and non-harming, applying to both communication with others and also to one's personal relationship with the practice.
Program Fee, Teacher Dāna and Scholarships
The course fee is $450. This does not include financial support for the facilitating teachers. As is customary at BCBS, there will be an opportunity to offer dāna to the teachers at the end of the program.
We are committed to making this program accessible to all. Financial assistance is available to help supplement the course fee. Requests for financial assistance may be made in the registration process. We generally only offer financial assistance one time per person per year so as to make this support available to as many students as possible.
Application Process and Criteria for Selection
In order to maintain small groups to support the intimate nature of the program, we are generally able to accept about half of our online course applicants. We endeavor to include those with previous meditation experience, those who have limited access to dharma study in their area, and those who have demonstrated keen interest.
The prerequisite experience for this course is a basic mindfulness practice.
Acceptance into the program is contingent upon a short virtual conversation (approximately 10 minutes) with BCBS staff to ensure clarity of commitment and comfort level with technology.
Timeline
Applications Open: June 12
Applications Close: August 10
Initial Accepted Applicants Notified: August 14
Pre-course Interviews and Registration: August 18- September 12*
*If accepted, course payment will be required within 3 days from virtual interview
Enrollment Period: September 16-19
Fall 2019 Course Dates: September 22th- November 23rd
