Norman and Molly are happy to offer their Mentor Programme for a second time, beginning in 2012. Michael Stone will be guest teacher for part of the course. This non-residential 2-year course is designed for experienced meditation practitioners who are interested in deepening their own practice and understanding, and sharing their practice with individuals or in group settings in their local communities. The Mentorship Programme emphasizes growing a strong, self-reliant sitting practice as well as inquiry into, and understanding of, the teachings of the Buddha. The suttas (discourses of the Buddha) and personal experience will form the foundation of practice and the basis of offering the teaching. All sessions are non-residential and will be held in Guelph, Ontario.

The Minimum Requirements for Participation include:

• At least five years of daily meditation practice.
• Have attended at least 21 days of silent, teacher-led residential meditation retreats, including one retreat of seven days or more, before the start of the course.
• Letter of reference from a teacher with whom you've recently studied.
• Interview with Norman or Molly.

Details of the Programme

The course consists of 200 hours of direct contact with guiding teachers over two years: 196 group hours in Guelph and four mandatory, one-hour individual mentoring meetings with Norman or Molly in Guelph on a dana basis. Participants must also complete two silent meditation retreats of at least 7 days each (to be approved by guiding teachers) in addition to the core curriculum within the two-year period of this course.

Participants commit to maintaining both formal and informal daily practice; working with monthly homework assignments that include readings, reflections and meditation instructions; maintaining contact with their interview teacher; and regular meetings with other participants for study and practice.

The Training Consists of Five Components

• Personal meditation practice
• The Buddha's Teachings
• Meditation Teaching Skills
• The Ethics of teaching
• In year 2, offering meditation instructions & basic teachings in your community

Upon successful completion, participants will have learned skills to facilitate a local sitting group and daylong retreats.

Please contact us at molly.swan@sympatico.ca or norman.feldman@sympatico.ca for more details if you are interested in the Programme.