Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
General
Q: I would love to know more about meditation and your teachings and what they can do for me.
A: All my teachings are designed to introduce practitioners to the explanation and experience of existence. Once we understand this model, we can apply that understanding to our internal and external environment. We learn how to move into a state of Conscious Awareness, what the nature of that Awareness is and how it extends into every area of life. We learn how to recognize its presence in all phenomena, especially our moment to moment human experience. The mentoring programme and the CDs lead practitioners step by step through a series of inner experiences. These demonstrate to us the immediacy and accessibility of continuous conscious presence, which is our true nature. Many people report profound and lasting shifts in their conscious understanding. The only requirements are willingness and openness. The rest will follow of its own accord.
Q: Can you please confirm the duration of the meditations in your programmes.
A: The Seeds of Enlightenment meditations are about 25-30 minutes each (with an additional 10 minute introduction for each topic). The Pathway to Enlightenment course meditations are 35-45 minutes each (with an additional 10 minute introduction for each topic). The Mentoring Programme meditations are 30-60 minutes each depending on the topic, what is required and what is presented that day.
Q: Is there a version of the CD series that is designed for the hearing impaired where the voice is extremely clear and is easily recognisable? If so, where can we purchase it from?
A: Learning Strategies are currently working on Seeds of Enlightenment voice only MP3s for the hearing impaired. We are hoping to have them ready by September 2009. Please contact us and we would be happy to send them on to you when we have them complete.
Q: Are there any transcripts available for your meditations?
A: We currently have the Winterfeast For The Soul meditations available as transcripts, please contact us to request these.
Changing The Paradigm CD Series
Q: I have Seeds Of Enlightenment, and at the end it says that series two will be named Fruits of Enlightenment, did you re-name it "Embracing Freedom"?
A: Yes, we decided to change the name from Fruits of Enlightenment to Embracing Freedom. The title for the 3rd volume in the series will be "Infinite Grace" and the release date for this is estimated for June 2010.
Q: I live in the UK and want to know if I can buy CDs directly from your UK office and if I can pay in GBP?
A: Any CDs ordered through our website by customers in the UK and Europe will be sent out from the UK. You would still have to pay in USD$ and you will have to pay $12.50 postage but there will be no import tax. If you purchase CDs from the Learning Strategies website they will be sent from the U.S. and you may have to pay a substantial import tax fee.
Q: I was wondering if the Seeds Of Enlightenment CDs cover material that is beyond the subjects covered in the Telecourse?
A: The Seeds of Enlightenment CD and MP3 set will cover less material than the Pathway course. Seeds Of Enlightenment is part 1 of a 3 volume series (The Changing The Paradigm Series). So it will cover the basics of the Pathway course but the enhanced meditations will be in volumes 2 and 3. Overall the 3 volumes will probably cover similar material to the 20 week Telecourse. We felt it was important to offer the two avenues because some people prefer the live contact of the course and the group energy, and some prefer something they can study at their leisure which the CDs provide.
Q: Can you give me some more information about the CD programme? How does it differ to the mentoring programme?
A: The CD programme is designed to cover the basic curriculum of the mentoring programme, however, the CDs do not give participants the individually tailored sessions or the ability to ask questions as they go along. So it depends how much guidance you want/need as to which approach is right for you.
Q: Do we have to play the audio to Seeds of Enlightenment every time we need to meditate?
A: No, but we recommend using the Seeds Of Enlightenment audio a minimum of 3 times a week initially to get familiar with the sensations involved. During this time and afterwards you can of course meditate on your own.
Telecourses
Q: When is the next Telecourse?
A: The 2009 20-week Pathway To Enlightenment Telecourse finished in June, it may be repeated in 2010 or we may have a new Telecourse on offer. The 12-week 'Advanced' Telecourse will be starting in September 2009. Please fill in the application form on the programmes page if you would like to participate.
Retreats
Q: I'm interested in the retreats you offer and would like to know where they are held and when?
A: Jeddah and Learning Strategies will be joining together again to host the 'Advanced Retreat' in October 2009 and another 6-Day Retreat in July 2010. We are currently looking into hosting retreats around the U.K. Please keep reading the newsletters for updates.
Q: During the retreat, are we going to be taught how to meditate on our own, without reliance on audio in the background?
A: We will be emphasizing the benefits of doing just that. During the retreat the meditations will be guided but this is only to open the topic and direct the initial exploration. It is in no way intended to encourage reliance on the guidance.
The Mentoring Programme
Q: I would like to know more about the mentoring programme.
A: The mentoring programme is currently conducted over 3 or 6 months. I provide an individually tailored programme, fine-tuning and integrating your spiritual faculties. I use moment to moment experience as my laboratory so, in that sense, anyone can do it. Willingness, acceptance and an open heart are the only criteria to allow it to happen.
Q: Is it possible to start with a 1-2 hour session before entering a 3 or 6 month mentoring programme? And if this is possible how much would it cost?
A: We do not currently offer this option. However, before participants join the mentoring programme, they have a detailed conversation with me whereby I address any questions, outline the approach to the work we will be doing and give a brief overview of what we will cover. During this call potential participants usually have a good idea of whether the programme will suit them or not. If you would like to book a telephone conversation with me, please let me know and I will send you my available times. This conversation is free. As my time is very limited, please be fairly sure that you would like to go ahead before booking the call.