To Read: Buddhism and Yoga

I’m taking another class at the university where I work and my first class was last night. I’m just auditing the class which means I don’t have to write any papers or take any tests, but I can do the reading and participate in the lectures.

The class this time around is Hindu Yoga & Buddhist Meditation, where we learn not only the history of each, but we learn the basics too. I was beginning to think that I didn’t want to be in class two nights a week in the summer, but after the class last night, I’m super excited. The professor has studied meditation for years and is not only incredibly smart, but amazingly nice. He led us through two meditations last night and gave us the story of the Buddha’s life and some of his key teachings. Super interesting stuff. We’re also going to be practicing meditating at home and are going to keep a meditation journal.

There are five books on the syllabus, and we’re supposed to already be reading the first two:

A Path with Heart by John Kornfield – Buddhist monk Jack Kornfield says that “in undertaking a spiritual life, we must make certain that our path is connected with our heart.”

I can’t wait to get started!