Bodhichitta Project
**PLEASE POST YOUR PROJECT SUBMISSION (Your Essay and Link to Your RecordedPresentation) TO BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE IN THE COMMENTS SECTION! THANK YOU!**
Supreme Preparations Bodhicitta Project Outline
Assignment Due: Sunday, November 16th
1. Teach a movement that helps prepare you for meditation
Prepare a movement practice that helps students get ready for meditation. This can be an asana or any movement that you find supportive. On Sunday, during our discussion class, you will guide the group through this movement practice for about two to three minutes. This exercise allows everyone to benefit from each other’s insights and practical experiences as seasoned meditators. Afterward, we’ll proceed with our regular class discussion.
Assignments Due: Sunday, November 23rd
The following three assignments are due by the start of class on Sunday, November 23rd. This class will be conducted asynchronously, allowing everyone to view each other’s work online rather than meeting in person. Please ensure all assignments are posted on the website by the class start time to facilitate timely viewing and feedback.
1. Written Essay
Write a 500-word essay on the topic of preparing for meditation, specifically through the lens of Bodhicitta as the “Supreme Preparation.” The essay should reflect your personal experience, insights from curated resources, and the unique aspects you’ve found beneficial in preparing yourself or others for meditation. Post your essay in the comment section below this entry, this will allow your instructors to read the essay more fully and your fellow students to benefit from reading your work as well. Detailed instructions for recording and sharing your video presentation and guided practice will be provided below.
2. Self Recorded Video: Presentation of Essay
Before the start of class on November 23rd, please record yourself presenting your essay, as if you were teaching it to a class. Detailed instructions for making this simple recording on your phone are provided below. Once recorded, upload your video to YouTube and share the link in the comments section along with your essay. This will allow everyone to view and provide feedback on each other’s work. Again, detailed instructions on this are written out below.
Present your essay as naturally as possible, aiming to connect with your audience. Try to speak from the heart rather than reading directly from the page, as if you were sharing this teaching in a live setting. We recognize that this level of comfort takes practice, but it’s an inspiring goal for us all to work toward.
3. Self Recorded Video: Guided Bodhicitta Practice
After completing your five-minute presentation, smoothly transition into a guided Bodhicitta practice lasting five to ten minutes, based on your preference. This practice should showcase how you’ve integrated the Four Immeasurables—love, compassion, joy, and equanimity—into your meditation preparation. Through this shared experience, we’ll all have the opportunity to benefit from one another’s guidance and presence.
Submission:
Post your essay in the comment section below this entry, as well as the Link to your YouTube video presentation and guided meditation. This will allow your instructors to read the essay more fully and your fellow students to benefit from reading your work as well. Detailed instructions for recording and sharing your video presentation and guided practice will be provided below.
Additional Notes on Uploading to YouTube:
Before delving into YouTube's format or usage, it's crucial to clarify that all the work we undertake on YouTube will be unlisted. This means that it won't be searchable or accessible to the general public without the exact URL. This approach prioritizes your safety and security, especially in the learning environment we're creating which can be a vulnerable space. The pages we're working on as a group are password-protected, ensuring only students can access them, and the videos on YouTube will be unlisted as an additional layer of privacy.
That being said, it should also be noted that this setup offers some really unique benefits. For instance, while the videos won't be publicly available, you can still utilize your own video at a later time to show a prospective student, or as an additional resource in your classes. Additionally, having access to recordings of your teaching sessions allows for self-reflection and learning, while also offering insights from other students' experiences. This setup enhances the learning process and provides a valuable resource for your personal growth and development as a teacher.
We've opted to utilize YouTube as our platform for sharing videos due to its accessibility across all devices, including phones, tablets, and computers. While YouTube offers convenience, it's important to acknowledge that no sharing format is perfect. Each platform requires some level of patience and willingness to delve into technical details to ensure smooth operation. If you encounter any issues, such as a presentation not uploading correctly, please reach out to us, and we'll assist you in resolving the issue. We appreciate your patience and persistence as we navigate this process together. Rest assured, YouTube remains the simplest format we've found for sharing this type of work collectively.