RLST 2350-02
Contemplative Practices
Spring 2013 TTh 2:45 CC Chapel
Instructor: Dr. Lola Williamson
Office: Christian Center 16
Office Hours: MW 1- 2, or by
appointment.
Email: willill@millsaps.edu
Phone: 601-974-1333
Website: http://home.millsaps.edu/willill
Yoga is stilling the thought waves of the mind.
- Patanjali (c. 2nd century BCE)
Developing objective critical thinking is an important academic goal, yet other life skills
are sometimes overlooked in our educational system. This course provides a counterbalance to traditional education’s emphasis on discursive rationality by focusing on holistic
practices that integrate mind, body, emotions, and ethical behavior. These practices include
mindfulness, meditation, yoga, contemplation, and methods for cultivating compassion and
morality.
The practices and concepts we’ll be exploring derive from Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
However, the focus of the class will be on modern forms of these, which have changed
through encounters with depth psychology and humanistic concerns. Our goal in pursuing
these practices is not to transcend our personalities nor to retreat from social and academic
responsibilities, but to meet the challenges of life from a calmer and more compassionate
center. Beginning with the assumption that we – at Millsaps and in modern society
generally – have adjusted to unhealthy levels of stress, noise, and constant activity, the
course provides methods for creating inner stillness along with outer stability.
This is a practical and experiential class. In addition to reading and writing assignments
that we normally associate with a college class, we will spend class and homework time
practicing various mind/body techniques and reflecting on the process and outcomes of
these practices. This course joins a growing movement on campuses across the country
that is in the process of developing a new academic discipline, referred to as contemplative
studies, spiritual education, and/or mindfulness training.
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Texts
The Four Desires by Rod Stryker
The Engaged Spiritual Life by Donald Rothberg
Additional Materials
Yoga mat ($15 to $20; available at Target)
Download The Four Desires MP3 of meditation instructions ($15.99; available at
http://www.parayoga.com/store/ which will take you to cdbaby)
Journal (Either a bound book or loose leaf paper is fine; just make sure everything is kept
in one place if it’s loose leaf)
Class Etiquette
Please arrive to class on time as a consideration to others. If you need to change clothes
before class, come early enough to do that. Bring yoga accessories to every class (or leave
them in the Chapel). Also, bring the book we’ll be discussing to each class. Leave your
shoes at the door, and begin to mentally prepare for class. After you set up your mat and
cushion, sit quietly or look over notes until class begins. Be prepared to discuss the
material and participate fully in the practices. No texting before or during class. Turn off
cell phones. Computers will not be needed in this class.
Attendance
More than two absences will affect your final grade, with two points being subtracted for
each additional class missed. Seniors can have a third “freebie” around the time of
comprehensive exams. If circumstances cause you to miss more than this, you can
avoid the grade penalty by writing an essay (one-and-a-half pages, or about 500
words) of A or B quality on the reading material for the class missed. More than a
summary, it should include thoughtful analysis. This is in addition to the weekly
reflection paper and will focus more specifically on the reading. The essay is due one
week from the missed class. If you miss nine or more classes (about a third of the
semester) for any reason, you should withdraw from the course to avoid receiving an F.
If the absences occur after the final day to withdraw without a grade (March 27), make
arrangements for a medical withdrawal in order to avoid receiving an F.
Disability Accommodations
If you have any needs or require accommodations related to a disability, please contact
Patrick Cooper to register for disability services. You can reach him via e-mail at
coopeap@millsaps.edu or by calling extension 1228. Accommodations will not be granted
until a meeting with Patrick has taken place each semester and letters have been received
by your instructor.
Course Requirements and Evaluation
Remember that the focus of the class is on learning forms of meditation and yoga and
practicing them. Think of the commitment to this class as something like the commitment
required of Singers or of playing on a volleyball team. You won’t get much out of the
class if you don’t do the exercises. The reading and writing is lighter than in most
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humanities classes because I’m expecting you to put ample time into practicing the
techniques. I suggest you set aside two time periods each day for practice. The length of
these is up to you, but you will want to include three elements in any combination: some
quiet meditation (perhaps 10 minutes), some time in more active contemplation using
exercises from our textbooks (perhaps another 10 minutes), and some time doing yoga or a
mindfulness walk (perhaps 20 minutes).
1. (20%) Reflection on contemplative practices
You will write ten one-page reflection papers (250-300 words). The purpose of these
papers is to reflect on your own experiences in light of the reading and other class
assignments.
2. (10%) Engaged group discussion and practice
Arrive to class on time, follow the class etiquette policies listed above, and participate fully
in class exercises and discussions to receive an A on this evaluation.
3. (20%) Book review
A. Write a four-page (1000 word) review of one book listed in Appendix A, due at the end
of the semester.
4. (10%) Small group collaboration and interaction (choose one)
A. Form a discussion group with two or three classmates who are reading the same book.
B. Form a practice group with two or three classmates. The time may be spent in any one
or more of the practices.
Meet at least two times by mid-semester to meet half the requirement and four times by the
end of the semester to meet the full requirement. Each time you meet, one person from the
group should write a very brief description of what you did, and everyone should sign it to
hand in at the following class. At the end of the semester, turn in a 2-page reflection (400500 words) about what you learned about yourself, about others, and about the book or
practices that you would not have known if you hadn’t had the interaction.
Don’t think of this as a requirement to get through, but as an opportunity to have quality
time with others. In Buddhist and Hindu terminology, you are creating a sangha, or
spiritual community, and the time together is called satsang, or being in the company of
truth. Find a cozy place to meet – in a dorm room or one of the lounges or in the Chapel.
Perhaps have tea if you are in a discussion group. When you write your reflection paper,
note the group dynamic and your place in it. Did anyone emerge as a leader or organizer?
How was the procedure for the discussion or practice determined? How comfortable did
you feel? Was the time worthwhile? Why or why not?
5. (40%; 20% each) Exams
These are meant to help you imbibe the material we cover. The point of this class is not
broad coverage of material but deep and personal learning. Understanding certain ideas
and terms from the Hindu and Buddhist traditions, as well as from modern psychological
applications of yoga practices, will help you with this.
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Note: Those taking the class as pass/fail may opt out of an assignment as long as all other
assignments are completed with thoroughness. A grade of 0 will be entered for the work
not turned in, and the total score must be passing.
Note: Seniors may opt out of either the book review or the second exam.
Paper Policies
1. Three points will be taken off for each day late. If you are ill or have been ill during the
week something is due and need an extension, please ask me ahead of the due date
in order to avoid the penalty.
2. Turn in hard copies on the due date at the beginning of class. Double space or use 1.5
spacing (or double-sided) if needed to fit on one page for reflection papers. For
longer papers, please staple and save paper by reducing spacing.
3. For short response papers, simply put your name at the top, followed by R1, R2, etc. on
the same line. Short papers should use paragraph formatting, with at least three
paragraphs. See a sample reflection paper in Appendix B.
Grading Scale
A (93-100) A- (90-92) B+ (87-89) B (83-86) B- (80-82) C+ (77-79) C (73-76) C(70-72) D+ (67-69) D (63-66) F (0-59) This grading scale will be used for longer papers,
participation, and midterm and final grades.
Reflection papers will receive a grade from 1-10, with 10 being excellent, 9 very good, 8
good, 7 fair, 6 lacking important elements, and 5 or below failing. An average of these will
be recorded for 20% of your grade.
Class Schedule
Only reading assignments and paper due dates are provided below. Practice assignments
will be given in class and posted on Course Connect. Some short extra readings will also
be assigned throughout the semester and will be available on Course Connect, so it’s
important that you sign up. The first time password is yoga.
R = reflection paper
4D = The Four Desires
ESL = The Engaged Spiritual Life
1/10: Introduction to the course
1/15: Sign up for Course Connect; purchase materials; 4D: Afterward (313-17); Ch. 1.
1/17: 4D: Ch. 2 and 3; Reflection on Warrior II
1/22: R 1; 4D Ch. 4 and 5
1/24: 4D: Ch. 6 and 7; Reflection on Upward-Facing Pose
1/29: R 2; 4D: Ch. 8 and 9
1/31: 4D: Ch. 10; Reflections on the Pose Dedicated to the Sage Vasishta
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2/5:
2/7:
R 3; 4D: Ch. 11, 12, and 13
4D: Ch. 14, 15, and 16
2/12: R 4; 4D: Ch. 17, 18, and 19; Reflections on Triangle Pose
2/14: 4D: Ch. Ch. 20 and 21
2/19: R 5; 4D: Ch. 22 and 23; Reflections on Head-to-Knee Pose
2/21: 4D: Ch. 24, 25, and 26 (Midterm grades due on 2/25)
2/26: R 6; 4D: Ch. 27, 28, and 29; Reflections on Warrior III Pose
2/28: Review
3/5:
3/7:
Exam One
“Five Mindfulness Trainings” emailed. (Begin Engaged Spiritual Life over break)
3/12: Spring Break
3/14: Spring Break
3/19: R 7; ESL: Ch. 1 (read slowly and apply over break)
3/21: ESL: Ch. 2
3/26: R 8; ESL: Ch. 3
3/28: ESL: Ch. 4
4/2:
4/4:
R 9; ESL: Ch. 5
ESL: Ch. 6
4/9: R 10; ESL: Ch. 7
4/11: ESL: Ch. 8
4/16: Small group paper due; ESL: Ch. 9
4/18: ESL: Ch. 10
4/23: Exam Two
4/25: No class; Awards Day; book review due (upload to Course Connect by 10 pm)
Appendix A
Choose one of the following books to review. These are meant to be read slowly over the
course of the semester.
1. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle: The title says it all; the book will inspire you to
remain truly present rather than living in the past or future. Tolle has been influenced by
both Hindu and Buddhist teachers.
2. The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh: This Buddhist monk writes simply yet
profoundly about meditation and mindfulness.
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3. Compassion and Meditation: The Spiritual Dynamic between Buddhism and Christianity
by Jean-Yves Leloup: Written by a French Orthodox priest, the book explores Buddhist
principles through the lens of Christianity to the enrichment of both religious traditions.
4. Extraordinary Knowing: Science, Skepticism, and the Inexplicable Powers of the
Human Mind by Elizabeth Mayer: “Dr. Mayer reveals a wealth of credible and fascinating
research into the realm where the mind seems to trump the laws of nature.” (- Review on
Amazon). It’s very relevant to this class because it discusses studies that show the power
of the mind. (I couldn’t put it down when I read it!)
Appendix B
The following paper is an example of a reflection paper that uses “first-person critical
thinking.” Notice how it integrates the reading and the student’s experiences.
Our readings for this week bring up the necessary tension of one of my goals for
contemplative practice, that I might be able to carry as much mindfulness into the rest of
my living “off the mat” as possible. As Richard Faulds notes, “split between body and
mind is the root cause of many problems. To live like the proverbial Zen master who
simply eats when he’s hungry and sleeps when he’s tired, a strong connection to the body
is required” (168). However, this does not only require awareness of your own physical
state but also a lifestyle that allows you to wait for your response to hunger and sleep. I
don’t debate that this is likely a healthier way to eat, work, play, study and rest. Indeed the
idea of waiting for these things to come instead of scheduling them ahead of time sounds
beautifully in tune with visions I have of my life “down the road”, as I often refer to my
day dreams of a life more fully and less stressfully lived.
One of the more profound meditation experiences I have had was in experimenting
with letting my breath come at its own pace. Sally Kempton writes that, “All momentwhether the swing of an axe, the movement of the breath, or the flow of thought- arises out
of such a point of stillness” (96). Thought indeed did flow at the pause of my usually
rushed, shallow breathing. My initial pauses like this were startled: what if it doesn’t
come??!! However, this urgency gave way to a relaxed realization that my body was just
as intent on staying alive as my mind was. I could trust myself, and this made for a greater
presence than just focusing on the breath has yet yielded.
Nevertheless, I observe that letting other aspects my life comes at their own pace
can make unusual demands of one’s lifestyle. Meditation and yoga are traditions deeply
rooted in monastic living, and while they have been adopted in many domesticated forms
(for lack of a better word) into popular culture, their deepest wisdom may be reserved for
those living nontraditional lifestyles. For instance, it is difficult to simply eat when I am
hungry when I need to fit that to a cafeteria’s business hours for purposes of using my meal
plan. The same could be said for parents who maintain regular dinner times for family
time and the structure that their children benefit from. Likewise, my life is filled with due
dates, specific work hours, and appointments. I doubt the same rigidity exists in
monasteries and ashrams. This is not to say that we cannot do our best to work within the
lifestyle we have, but as I move into the next phase of my life, it is interesting to think
about ways I can free up my schedule to live more fluidly within my obligations and
routine.
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