Four Year Progressive Pathway

 

We are the only Mindfulness organisation offering a Four Year, Four Level in depth Meditation training, which is experiential, and evidence based and which results in increased resilience and happiness in our busy modern lives. Our pathway starts with training the mind to be more settled in our Level One: Being Present course.  Once the mind begins to settle we focus on cultivating qualities in the mind such as joyfulness, kindness and compassion for self and other during our Mindfulness Level 2 – Responding with Compassion.  Completing these first two stages creates a foundation for our Level Three: Seeing Deeply course, designed to generate insight into the underlying habit patterns of the mind. This naturally transitions into our Level 4 Wisdom training which supports us to recognise the reality of our everyday lived experience. We are then able to live with increased awareness in accordance with, rather than in resistance to, this reality and so we are naturally more joyful and able to cope with life’s difficulties.

Our training path is for everyone, wherever you are in your meditation journey. The training is progressive, and you will be supported at every Level by experienced teachers, manuals, guided audio of home practice and the company of like-minded fellow practitioners.

It doesn’t end there. We also have our Mindfulness for Life programme of courses and retreats which will enable you to expand and deepen your practice further for life.

Read about each stage of the 4 level pathway by watching the videos below and clicking the links.
Please feel free to contact us to learn more about joining this pathway.

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1. MINDFULNESS

Knowing what is happening while it is happening, without preference

Technique
Noticing the wandering mind and coming back to presence

Attitude
Allowing, curious, kind

2. COMPASSION

A sensitivity to the suffering of self and otheer with a deep desire to relieve that suffering

First psychology
Turning towards what is difficult

Second psychology
Cultivating qualities to respond to the difficult

3. INSIGHT

Recognising what is happening while it is happening, without preference. 

First aspect
Sensitising ourselves to subtle mental activity

Second aspect
Doing less and being more in meditation

4. WISDOM

An innate intelligence that recognises the ground of our being as interconnected, whole and at peace. 

First aspect
Touching the true nature of reality at the ultimate level.

Second aspect
Cultivating kindness and acceptance for our ups and downs at the relative level.

START HERE ~  Level 1 ~ Being Present

Recent scientific evidence states that meditation & compassion-based mindfulness practices change the brain in a positive way and help to:

  • Lower heart rate and blood pressure
  • Relieve stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia
  • Increase ability to cope with difficult situations

Level 2: Responding with Compassion

What it would be like to cultivate an inner voice that is kind and supportive, and to live life from this place, rather than from a place of destructive self-criticism?

Level 3: Insight ~ Seeing Deeply

In our experience of training people in mindfulness and compassion we have noticed significant changes in people’s lives, but our perception is that these changes do not go to the root of the matter. change to more positive wording: something like : the compassion training gives us the support we need as we deepen our practice; we are able to then move towards insight training which reveals to us what lies beneath our moods, attitudes and behaviours

Level 4: Wisdom

We cultivate wisdom by embarking on an experiential journey. Intellectual understanding is not enough. This journey requires that we first train in Mindfulness, Compassion and Insight. They provide the necessary conditions for Wisdom to take birth in our heart and mind.

4 level pathway

FAQs

What is the "In-Depth 4-Level Meditation Training" offered by the Mindfulness Association?

The “In-Depth 4-Level Meditation Training” refers to the Mindfulness Association’s “4 Level Mindfulness Pathway”, a comprehensive and systematic program designed to deepen one’s practice of mindfulness beyond initial symptom relief. This pathway offers a more comprehensive and authentic approach to mindfulness, grounding it more firmly in its traditional Buddhist roots and expanding its applications. It’s described as a “mindfulness for life” program, with unique compassion-based courses designed for life-long practice.

What are the four levels of this in-depth pathway?

  • The four distinct levels of the pathway are:
    • Level 1 – Mindfulness
    • Level 2 – Compassion
    • Level 3 – Insight
    • Level 4 – Wisdom The Mindfulness Association emphasizes that compassion is at the HEART of everything they do within this framework.

How does one progress through the 4-Level Mindfulness Pathway?

The pathway is designed for progression, starting with Mindfulness (Level 1) and moving through Compassion (Level 2), Insight (Level 3), and finally Wisdom (Level 4).  The structure allows individuals to progress at their own pace

Is this in-depth training suitable for beginners, or only experienced practitioners?

The Mindfulness Association’s courses cater to a wide range of individuals, including beginners, experienced practitioners, and those who wish to train to teach Mindfulness. While the pathway itself is in-depth, there are entry points for beginners, such as the “Mindfulness Level 1 courses both online and in person, and a “Free Online Introduction to Mindfulness”.

What is "Second-Generation Mindfulness" and how does it relate to this in-depth training?

The Mindfulness Association offers “second-generation mindfulness courses” which represent a more comprehensive and authentic approach to mindfulness. This approach expands beyond just stress reduction, grounding the practice more firmly in its traditional Buddhist roots. Their Mindfulness Based Living Course (MBLC) is an example of this second-generation mindfulness training. This emphasis on depth ensures the training is for life, not just a brief intervention for symptoms.

Can the 4-Level Pathway lead to academic qualifications or professional teaching?

Yes, successfully progressing through the in-depth training can lead to further opportunities:

    • Academic Qualifications: You can pursue MSc Studies in Mindfulness through the Mindfulness Association, in collaboration with the University of Aberdeen.
    • Teacher Training: The pathway lays the foundation for their Teacher Training Package, which includes training for the Mindfulness Based Living Course (MBLC) and the Compassion Based Living Course (CBLC). This training meets the British Association of Mindfulness Based Approaches (BAMBA) good practice guidelines. Specific “Train to Teach Level 1” courses are offered both in-person (e.g., at Samye Ling) and online.

What resources are available to support ongoing in-depth practice?

The Mindfulness Association provides numerous resources to support continuous engagement with the in-depth practice:

    • Free Daily Meditation Sessions: Live daily practice sessions are available via Zoom, Monday to Friday.
    • Publications: Books like the “Mindfulness Based Living Course Book,” “Compassion Based Living Course Book,” and the “From Mindfulness to Insight Book” are available.
    • Membership: Becoming a member provides access to exclusive members’ weekends and retreats, such as the “Free Members Weekend,”  in the Autumn and Spring and helps maintain connection within a “wonderful community of practitioners”. Teacher membership also exists.
    • Continuing Professional Development (CPD): For those undergoing or completed teacher training, CPD options like “Teachers 5 Day Retreat Online” and “Advanced Inquiry Skills” are offered.
    • Supervision: Services for finding a supervisor or training to supervise are available for teachers.

What are the reported benefits of undertaking this in-depth training?

Participants consistently report “transformative” and “life-changing” experiences. Many feel that the training helps them “totally change the way I view the world and my place in it”. The “highest level of mind training” is noted, with benefits on both a personal and professional level. The authentic and kind teachers contribute to a non-judgmental atmosphere.