COURSE INFORMATION

This online Continuing education meditation instructor course is the second foundational course in the curriculum and participants study theories and practices of many different meditation techniques. Learning which occurred in the first course (MED 300/SM 550) become more applicable as participants explore the world of meditation. Participants will study meditation from various traditions, including practices used in religious settings. Such practices include “Zen” theory and meditation, Buddhist meditation practices, and Christian meditations. Continued explorations occur in relation to common meditation practices of today’s western world. New breath work techniques are studied, as well as new ideas related to concentration and mindfulness. Taoist meditation is also studied. Hatha Yoga is also presented, as are mantras, included sacred Hebrew mantras used in meditation practices. Other topics that are presented include, Chi, progressive relaxation techniques, dreaming, deep meditation, mantras and vibrations, centering prayer and more. Course Code: MED 325/SM 560. Education contact hours = 30.

Prerequisite: you must have successfully completed MED 300/SM 550: Relaxation Strategies before you can begin this course.

This is a guided, independent study CE Course. You are to study and progress at your own rate. There are no written assignments. It is recommended that you follow this process for completing the course:

Instructor/Course Author:  Dominick L. Flarey, Ph.D, MBA, RN,BC, CH-C

Link to Resume

E-mail: info@aihcp.org

TIME FRAME: You are allotted two years from the date of enrollment, to complete all of the courses in this program. There are no set time-frames, other than the two year allotted time. If you do not complete the courses within the two-year time-frame, you will be removed from the course and an “incomplete” will be recorded for you in our records. Also, if you would like to complete the courses after this two-year expiration time, you would need to register and pay the course tuition fee again.

TEXTBOOKS & TAPES/CDs: There is one (1) required textbook for this course and one (1) audio.

Learn to Meditate: A practical guide to self-discovery and fulfillment. By: David Fontana, Ph.D. San Francisco:Duncan Baird Publishers; 1999. ISBN #: 0811822508

Link to Purchase on Amazon.com: click here

The Beginner’s Guide to Meditation. 2 tape audio cassettes/ or CD set. By: Joan Borysenko, Ph.D. The Hay House: California; 2000.

Link to Purchase Directly from Publisher: click here

You are required to order your own copy of the textbook and the set of tapes/CD’s. Please be sure to order your book and tapes as soon as possible so that you can begin your course of study.

GRADING: You must achieve a passing score of at least 70% to complete this course and receive the 30 hours of awarded continuing education credit. There are no letter grades assigned. You will receive notice of your total % score. Those who score below the minimum of 70% will be contacted by the American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc, and options for completing additional course work to achieve a passing score, will be presented.

BOARD APPROVALS:

The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is an Approved Provider for Continuing Education by the South Carolina Professional Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists and Psycho-Educational Specialists licensing board, Provider # 4637. Access information

The American Institute of Health Care Professionals (The Provider) is approved by the California Board of Registered Nurses, Provider number # CEP 15595 for 30 Contact Hours.

This course, which is approved by the Florida State Board Of Nursing (CE Provider # 50-11975) also has the following Board of Nursing Approvals, for 30 contact hours of CE

The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Arkansas Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Georgia Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the South Carolina Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Professional Registered Nurses. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the New Mexico Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.

Course Refund & AIHCP Policies: access here

ONLINE CLASSROOM RESOURCES AND TOOLS

* Examination Access: there is link to take you right to the online examination program where you can print out your examination and work with it. All examinations are formatted as “open book” tests. When you are ready, you can access the exam program at anytime and click in your responses to the questions. Full information is provided in the online classrooms.

* Student Resource Center: there is a link for access to a web page “Student Resource Center.” The Resource Center provides for easy access to all of our policies/procedures and additional information regarding applying for certification. We also have many links to many outside reference sites, such as online libraries that you may freely access.

* Online Evaluation: there is a link in the classroom where you may access the course evaluation. All students completing a course, must, without exception, complete the course evaluation.

* Faculty Access Information: you will have access to your instructor’s online resume/biography, as well as your instructor’s specific contact information.

* Additional Learning Materials: some faculty have prepared additional “readings” and /or brief lecture notes to enhance your experience. All of these are available in the online classrooms.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Understand and discuss the theory and practice of Zen and meditation modalities.
2. Define distractions which hinder heightened awareness.
3. Discuss common mistakes made when learning meditation.
4. Define the effects of meditation on emotions.
5. Discuss factors which impact the learning of mediation practices.
6. Define and discuss “attention” as it applies to meditation practices.
7. Understand and teach ways to focus attention in meditation practices.
8. List and describe the mind benefits of meditation.
9. Review and discuss Buddhist teachings related to dealing with negative emotions.
10. Define and discuss potential side effects of meditation.
11. Understand effective strategies for dealing with distractions during meditation.
12. Define recommended time-frames for practicing meditation.
13. Discuss how rituals may be effectively used in meditation practices.
14. Review and discuss correct posturing in meditation practice.
15. Define and discuss strategies that will sharpen the awareness of breath.
16. Contrast types of breathing patterns as they related to meditation.
17. Define the effects of ego on relaxation of the conscious mind.
18. Discuss various religious affiliations and types of associated meditation practices.
19. Define, discuss and practice Taoist meditation.
20. Define and discuss Hatha Yoga.
21. Review the concept of “tree of life” and how it relates to mediation.
22. Discuss various types of sacred mantras used in meditation practices.
23. Define outcomes of altered states of consciousness from meditation.
24. Define and understand “meditative dreaming” and “mindfulness dreaming.”
25. Define and discuss effects of abdominal vs. chest breathing.
26. Review and understand study outcomes related to progressive relaxation.
27. Discuss “chi” and its major sources.
28. Describe 3-Dontian breathing and meditation including its techniques.
29. Define and discuss “deep meditation” and how it is achieved.
30. Discuss mystical experiences related to meditation practices.
31. Discuss and understand the relationship of meditation practices to spirituality.
32. Compare and contrast meditation with “prayer.”
33. Discuss and understand what is meant by the “relaxation response.”
34. Define and discuss “concentration” meditation and how it is achieved.
35. Review concepts related to “mindfulness” meditation practice.
36. Define and discuss “centering prayer.”
37. Understand time-frames of meditation practice related to good outcomes.

COURSE CONTENT

1. History and theory of Zen philosophies
2. Zen and meditation
3. Common mistakes made in meditation practice
4. Meditation and effects on emotions
5. Outcomes, benefits of meditation practice
6. Foundations for effective learning of meditation
7. Techniques of meditation practices
8. Focusing attention
9. Mind benefits of mediation
10. Buddhist teachings and meditation
11. Potential side-effects of mediation
12. Dealing with distractions in meditation
13. Time-lines for learning meditation
14. Use of rituals in meditation
15. Appropriate postures used in meditation
16. Explorations of the mind
17. Breathing techniques
18. Uses of deep breathing
19. Effects of various uses of the breath
20. World religions and meditation
21. Taoist meditation practices
22. Meditations used in western traditions
23. The tree of life concept/theory
24. Hatha yoga and meditation
25. Sacred Mantras
26. Altered consciousness outcomes
27. Altered states of consciousness
28. Dreams and meditation
29. Outcomes of breathing patterns
30. Focused attention and physiological outcomes
31. Sources of Chi
32. Three-Dontian meditation
33. Deep meditation states
34. Mysticism, spirituality and meditation
35. The relaxation response
36. Centering prayer
37. Concentration meditation
38. Mindfulness meditation
39. Physiological responses and benefits of meditation