Transformation American Meditation Institute
OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2018
americanmeditation.org
YOGA SCIENCE FOR MODERN LIFE
Those who say don’t know, and those who know don’t say. See page 6 Photo/123RF
A MI MEDITATION The foundation course of Yoga Science AMI Classes for October - December 2018
CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE –– CHANGE YOUR EXPERIENCE
The Heart and Science of Yoga® Empowering Self-Care Program
Yoga Science • AMI Meditation • Breathing • Yoga Psychology • Ayurveda • Easy-Gentle Yoga
with Leonard Perlmutter (Ram Lev), AMI Founder A modern link in the world’s oldest health and wisdom tradition
A MI’s Transformative Learning
What do you see? Two faces in silhouette, or a wine goblet? Both are there, but you can only see one at a time. Most people see only one image unless they’re prompted to look again. This AMI MEDITATION course will enable you to see yourself and your world from a fresh perspective and with a higher purpose in mind. With this new, clearer vision you can begin to reliably access and employ your own inner wisdom from the superconscious mind. From the very first class, you’ll find yourself becoming more creative, self-reliant and self-confident to make decisions that creatively resolve challenging situations and relationships.
What is A MI Self-Care?
AMI Self-Care is a set of essential survival skills. It offers a modern link to the world’s oldest health and wisdom tradition. This transformative learning will enable you to know the Truth of who you are, and with that profound knowledge, you can make the best choices for reducing stress and enhancing your total well-being. By employing the tools learned in this course, you’ll be able to fulfill all your personal and work commitments more effectively and rewardingly.
Leonard Perlmutter
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“A problem cannot be solved on the level at which it appears. It must be solved on a higher level.”
ALBERT EINSTEIN
Stress is just energy.
LEARN HOW TO TRANSFORM IT
INTO CREATIVITY!
Purposes of A MI Self-Care
AMI Self-Care is not simply about limiting or eliminating stressors. The additional purposes of this course include:
• Strengthening physical and psychological health • Managing, reducing and transforming stress • Honoring emotional and spiritual needs • Fostering and sustaining relationships “This curriculum presents the holistic benefits of Yoga Science, and brought joy to this heart surgeon’s heart.” — Mehmet Oz MD
The curriculum for
AMI MEDITATION is based on the award-winning book, ® The Heart and Science of Yoga by Leonard Perlmutter
Leonard is a noted educator and founder of The American Meditation Institute. He is the author of The Heart and Science of Yoga® and the mind/body medicine journal, Transformation. He has presented self-care courses at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Albany Medical College, The New York Times Yoga Forum with Dean Ornish MD and the U. S. Military Academy at West Point.
americanmeditation.org • Tel. (518) 674-8714
What A MI MEDITATION Can Do for YOU
In 2008, AMI conducted a retrospective case study of participants who completed Leonard Perlmutter’s AMI MEDITATION Heart and Science of Yoga ® Self-Care Program.
The findings included these positive, reproducible, long-term health-promoting changes: • Enhanced happiness and optimism • Improved restorative sleep • Significant reductions in • Reduced cholesterol levels • Improved energy levels stress and fear • diminished or extinguished • Increased creative capacity • decreased anxiety and depression acute and chronic pain • diminishment of migraine headaches • Lowered blood pressure • Weight loss • Heals irritable bowel syndrome • Lowered heart rate
OVERVIEW: The Heart and Science of Yoga® Self-Care Program AMI MEdITATIoN • Mantra Science • diaphragmatic Breathing • Yoga Psychology Mind Function optimization • Easy-Gentle Yoga • Lymph System detox • Nutrition • Ayurveda
YOGA SCIENCE––WEEK 1 How to use the mind for the best choices How to create new, healthier habits Understanding pain as an agent for healing Increasing energy, will power & creativity Antidotes for worry, stress and depression AMI MEDITATION––WEEK 2 Systematic procedure for AMI Meditation diminishing distractions with mantra science Learning the one-minute meditation Building focus, fearlessness, and strength BREATHING TECHNIQUES––WEEK 3 Breath as Medicine How breathing irregularities foster dis-ease Complete (three-part) yogic breath
YOGA PSYCHOLOGY & AYURVEDA––WEEK 4 How the mind supports optimal health The power of the present moment Building and healing relationships Introduction to Ayurveda EASY-GENTLE YOGA EXERCISES––WEEK 5 Yoga stretches to benefit: muscles, joints, glands and internal organs Physiological benefits of yoga postures MIND /BODY CARE PLAN––WEEK 6 The healing power of prayer The practical benefit of contemplation Creating a therapeutic care plan for yourself Learning to budget your time Integrating spiritual beliefs into daily life
HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE
Call us to discuss how your Health Insurance plan might cover this program. SATURDAY MORNINGS:
Nov 10– Dec 15; Jan 5– Feb 9 9:00 - 11:30am, $595. (6 WKS) Physicians $895; PAs, NPs: $795; RNs: $695
PHYSICIAN ACCREDITATION (15 CMEs) This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Albany Medical College and The American Meditation Institute. Albany Medical College is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Albany Medical College designates this Live activity for a maximum of 15 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Required Texts: The Heart and Science of Yoga ® The Art of Joyful Living. Registration Includes: Lifelong support for your meditation practice, a 20 minute Guided Meditation CD, a copy of The Physiology of Easy-Gentle Yoga, and a complementary subscription to AMI’s quarterly publication, Transformation, the journal of meditation as mind/body medicine. NURSING CONTINUING EDUCATION (15 contact hours) This continuing nursing education activity was approved by the American Nurses Association Massachusetts (ANA MASS), an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
The Heart and Science of Yoga® Self-Care Program is Endorsed by Dr. Oz (Mehmet Oz MD), Dean Ornish MD, Bernie Siegel MD, Larry Dossey MD
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americanmeditation.org • Tel. (518) 674-8714 10th Annual
PHYSICIANS’ 32 CME CONFERENCE October 23-27, 2018 Cranwell Resort & Spa • Lenox, MA
INTRO TO A MI MEDITATION The Basics for Getting Started
Mary Holloway, Doreen Howe, André Tremblay, Bob Iwaniec DC, Sandy Vo, Beth Netter MD
LEVEL I: If you’re not quite ready to register for our 6 week AMI MEDITATION foundation course on Yoga Science, this two-session ‘Intro’ course will provide you step-by-step guidance on how to start—and stick with—a daily practice. It’s easier than you think to learn the basics, and it’s very enjoyable!
Now at Two Locations: Averill Park: AMI Home Center, 60 Garner Rd. 674-8714 Clifton Park: AMI North, 108 Old Coach Rd. 383-0994
For Details: (518) 674-8714
americanmeditation.org/cme
Delicious Gourmet Vegetarian Cuisine
From Recent Attendees
1. “This course was life changing. The knowledge, expertise and compassion of the faculty introduced to me a practice and philosophy fundamentally different from the way allopathic medicine views the mind and body.” Steven Lee MD, Orthopedics, NYC
2. “Life changing! Everyone in every facet of life should experience this. I’m so grateful for you and your institution and all involved for bringing truth to doctors with love and compassion. This is a light the world needs to see.” Pamela Shervanick MD, Psychiatry, RI
3. “This was the best CME course I ever attended. It gave me a strong foundation to help patients mindfully improve their lives. I learned powerful and practical skills to use for my greater good.” Vi Quach MD, Internal Medicine, NYC
4. “Amazing conference! Life altering. The flow of the lectures built on each other and everything was pulled together beautifully.” Colleen Opremcak MD, Psychiatrist, OH The AMI Core Curriculum is also endorsed by:
Dean Ornish MD, Dr. Oz (Mehmet Oz MD) Bernie Siegel MD, Larry Dossey MD
Directions to A MI • 60 Garner Road
I-90 Exit #8 (Rt. 43 E). Take Rt. 43 for 4 1/2 miles. In W. Sand Lake, take a right turn at the lighted intersection onto Rt. 150. Go 1 mile on Rt. 150. Take a left turn on Cnty Rd #52/Sheer Rd (at stone wall). Go 1 mile on Sheer Rd and bear left at fork onto Garner Rd. AMI is the 3rd house on the right.
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SATURDAY MORNINGS, 9:30 - 11:00AM, $95. (2 WKS) OCT 13 & 20 AVERILL PARK NOV 3 & 10 CLIFTON PARK JAN 12 & 19 AVERILL PARK
MORNING YOGA FOR FIFTY PLUS Melanie (Uma) Gloeckner RYT
Level I: Yoga for healthy aging focuses on developing increased flexibility and strength, improved balance, endurance and breath, reduced stress, relaxation and greater energy. WED. MORNINGS, 9:45-11:00AM ($40-$50/MONTH) OCT––DEC No experience necessary. Drop-Ins $15.
FREE SUNDAY A MI MEDITATION Leonard (Ram Lev) and Jenness Perlmutter
LEVEL I: Join AMI’s FREE 20-minute guided meditation and satsang teaching. Participants may sit on comfortable chairs or on the floor. SUNDAYS, 9:30 - 11:00AM, FREE
NOW AVAILABLE AMI Bookstore Barnes & Noble Amazon.com All Fine Booksellers
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AMI Classes for October - December 2018
MAKING THE BEST CHOICES
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10 Indispensable Keys for Inspired Decision-Making
Leonard (Ram Lev) and Jenness Perlmutter
Available by CDL (Computer Distance Learning) Now available online. Call 518.674.8714 for details.
Level II : This course offers 10 practical guidelines for better decision-making. Known as the Yamas and Niyamas, these tools will help you reliably access your own intuitive wisdom to resolve every issue skillfully. These time-honored guidelines will teach you how to transform the contractive power of unhelpful, stress-provoking, negative emotions and habits into an expansive, creative and dynamic force. Real-life issues will be examined, including home, family, friends, work, recreation and death. THURSDAY NIGHTS, 6:30 - 8:30PM, $125 (3 WKS) OCT 4 - 18
ADVANCED TANTRIC HEALING “Yoga Nidra” Practices To Benefit Mind and Body
Leonard Perlmutter (Ram Lev) –– AMI Founder
LEVEL II: This advanced two-week course provides important instruction on employing the subtle energy healing of Tantra, a system of powerfully effective tools for self-care and stress management. Each week you will be taught new skills that reduce the effects of stress, illness and physical exhaustion by purifying the mind and body. These deeply therapeutic practices minimize tension, facilitate energy flow, calm and train the mind, awaken creativity, enhance memory and retard the aging and disease processes by boosting the body’s innate healing wisdom. This course will provide complete instruction in the practices of yoga nidra, shitali karana, shavayatra, trataka and tantric visualization.
THURSDAY NIGHTS, 6:30 - 8:30PM, $125 (2 WKS) DEC 6 & 13
This class is open to the general public and recommended for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
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YOGA PSYCHOLOGY BHAGAVAD GITA STUDY
Leonard (Ram Lev) and Jenness Perlmutter
Available by CDL (Computer Distance Learning) Attend this in-depth course from your own home or anywhere in the world. Call 518.674.8714 for details.
LEVEL II: In continuous six week installments this course presents the profound teachings of the Bhagavad Gita as a handbook on the science of life and the art of living. If you are seeking a manual or guide for the supreme task of living in the world today, this ongoing study will provide you practical wisdom, meaning and purpose for your life. Each week Leonard and Jenness will teach you how to reduce stress and confidently enhance your health and creative abilities, while providing you a fresh, positive perspective on all your family and business relationships.
MONDAY NIGHTS, 6:30 - 8:30 PM, $150. (6 WKS) NOV 5 - DEC 10; JAN 7 - FEB 11
Vyasa
Metaphoric Bridge
You live the life You need to live To learn the lessons You need to learn It’s not by mistake, Your give and take, The bridges you build And the bridges you burn
Thank you AMI for 22 years of loving and dedicated service
Robert j Iwaniec
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Those who say don’t know, and those who know don’t say. BY LEONARD PERLMUTTER (RAM LEV)
“Those who say don’t know, and those who know don’t say.” This warning from Lao Tzu, the 6th century BC author of the Tao Te Ching and founder of Taoism, serves as an important reminder today for all of us trying to resolve challenging relationships. Like many profound teachings presented by a master to a disciple, this statement is to be read as a riddle to solve. The words are presented in a way that requires a certain depth of understanding on the part of the disciple to be correctly interpreted. From a yogic perspective, Lao Tzu’s instruction acknowledges that most people speak indiscriminately––without filtering their speech through the conscience, the faculty of the mind known in Sanskrit as buddhi. As a result, they say, but they do not know. Unconscious biases are certainly common in everyday speech, but they are also quite limiting. When the mind relies on its unconscious “autopilot” software, rather than the buddhi, 95% of our speech and action is controlled by the reptilian brain. And all the choices made by this most primitive part of the brain are based on the fear of annihilation. The result? We become unduly influenced by the fight-flight-freeze stress response because we view change and differing points of view through combative lenses. We focus on the “small” picture. We resist, 6
and often respond to change with fear and anger. We retreat to what’s familiar, and feel safe with established structure and repetition. Everyone holds some unconscious beliefs that conflict with their more discriminating values. And every human being is susceptible to a variety of mental triggers that can activate unconscious attitudes and beliefs. These biases are often most in evidence when we’re attempting to multi-task or to work under severe emotional or time pressures. Right now, our culture is experiencing change at warp speed, so our fears often motivate us to seek comfort and security in information that reinforces our established biases. 24-hour news programming succeeds in attracting brand loyalty primarily because viewers find momentary relief, validation and inspiration listening to commentators and so-called “experts” who give voice and authority to already held unconscious biases. The downside to this phenomenon is significant. Because so much of cable “news” is market-driven, its content is tailored to reinforce the unconscious predispositions of its niche target audience. As a result, that biased messaging can shut down the careful, discriminating examination of issues that could potentially facilitate positive and rewarding resolution.
Higher and Lower Knowledge According to yogic philosophy, all knowledge falls into one of two categories. Lower knowledge is obtained through the process of reasoning and from the contact of the mind and senses with objects in the material world. It is received indirectly, as hearsay, from outside sources such as lectures, books, television, the internet and search engines like Google. Lower knowledge includes philosophy, medicine, commerce, technology, the arts, and all the sciences (including political science). Higher knowledge, considered to be the “highest form of knowledge,” represents the changeless, eternal Truth that lies beyond the relativity of the senses, conscious mind and unconscious mind. Higher knowledge is always healing and creatively supportive in all relationships. The higher knowledge is always available to us through the operation of the mind’s conscience, the buddhi. Without the guidance of higher knowledge, lower knowledge inevitably leads to pain and destruction. Through a daily practice of AMI Meditation, four distinct skills are developed that help to access and employ the higher knowledge to wisely guide us in dealing with lower knowledge. These skills are 1. onepointed attention, 2. detachment (slowing the mind down by creating a space between stimulus and response), 3. discrimination (the willingness to use the conscience to access higher knowledge), and 4. willpower (the mental muscles necessary to employ the higher knowledge in thought, word and deed). The daily practice of AMI Meditation encourages us to rely on higher knowledge in determining how to best use lower knowledge. In the process, all our challenges can be viewed as means, rather than as overwhelmingly stressful problems to control, manipulate or obliterate. Albert Einstein saw it this way, “A problem cannot be solved on the level at which it appears. It must be solved on a higher level.” And Einstein’s concept is not as mysterious as you might think, for when we change our perspective, we change our experience. The take-home message here is that our
perceptions are skewed by our conceptions. And a great majority of our conceptions are simply not true. In everyday life we don’t really experience the world. We experience our mind. As a result, because so many of our unconscious concepts are neither true nor valid, the perceptions we accept and the actions the body takes often lead to dis-ease, burnout and pain. Most of us have never been taught how and why to employ the tools of one-pointed attention, detachment, discrimination and willpower. As a consequence, we habitually gather lower knowledge from the external world in the form of information. But since the gathering of such information is rarely filtered by the mind’s discrimiminative faculty, we rarely, if ever, choose to verify the truthfulness of the knowledge we receive. Instead, we become dependent on the suggestions of other people. That is why information of the lower knowledge is not satisfying. In many cases, the more information we gain, the more burdened and confusing our lives become. However, by scientifically experimenting with lower knowledge (information that we have acquired from others), we begin to see a Truth based on our own personal, direct experience. Then, solutions appear where only problems once existed. When we become Yoga scientists we’re no longer satisfied with the unexamined opinions and unconscious biases of others. Rather, we can take a more scientific approach and discover the Truth of the higher knowledge for ourselves.
“98% of the People are Blind” In the late summer of 1992, just a year after our initiation into the world’s oldest meditation lineage, my wife Jenness and I were in Honesdale, Pennsylvania visiting our teacher Swami Rama of the Himalayas. On that occasion I asked him why so many people have such little interest in valuing and employing the Truth learned through their own personal experience before acting in the world. Swami Rama tersely replied, “98% of the people are blind.” We were immediately stunned and offended by his seeming insensitivity, judgment and unkindness. In that moment neither of us knew how to respond. 7
For days afterward Jenness and I wrestled with his words, but understanding eluded us. After much contemplation, we composed a letter explaining how, from our perspective, his comment that “98% of the people are blind,” was in direct conflict with the highest principle of Yoga Science: ahimsa (noninjury, non-harming). The process of gathering our thoughts and putting pen to paper took weeks. It wasn’t until early autumn, after Swami Rama had returned to his home in Rishikesh at the foothills of the Himalayas, that we mailed our letter to India. Remember that in 1992 almost everything happened at a much slower pace. There were no cell phones, no computers, no internet, and international mail between the United States and India was slow and not always reliable. But finally, an answering letter did arrive from Rishikesh. With some excitement and a great deal of expectation, we opened the envelope. Inside we found a small sheet of white paper with a typed message of only these six words: “Any negativity is in your mind.” Clearly, this new puzzling pronouncement meant that nothing is as it appears, and that we had been too quick to judge the meaning of our teacher’s provocative words, “98% of the people are blind.” From that moment it took us more than two years of deepening every aspect of our meditation practice before we finally could recognize the Truth behind Swami Rama’s teaching. In essence, the lessons taught by Swami Rama and Lao Tzu are complementary aspects of one and the same teaching. First, not just 98 percent of us, but every human is blind! We are all handicapped. We are “tempoplegics.” We become temporarily paralyzed, blinded or deaf when faced with certain physical, mental or emotional triggers. Second, because the unconscious mind consists of deep-seated, pre-existing biases and habit patterns that deprive us of the Truth, we cannot always see clearly. And because 98% of the people do not have a philosophy of life that affords a reliable method of examining and vetting thoughts, our vision remains compromised. This handicap causes our speech to serve the non-Truth rather than the 8
unalloyed wisdom that already exists within, at our core. As a result, we become susceptible to whatever resembles the pleasant, comfortable, familiar and attractive––and of course, we suffer pain. In other words, as the Sikh philosopher Yogi Bhajan taught, “If we do not go within, we will definitely go without.”
CIRCLING WAVES OF THE MIND
Because thoughts lead to words, actions and consequences, they are the most potent of all human resources. They not only affect our psychology, but also our physiology. All thoughts can be described by the two Sanskrit words pravritti and nivritti. Both are derived from the parent word vritti which means whirlpool, and describes the circling thought waves of the mind. With the prefix pra added to vritti, it becomes pravritti, which translates as thought waves circling outward toward the objects and relationships of the ever-changing material world. Pravritti reflects the personality’s mental perspective of gaining or accumulating something externally in hopes of acquiring happiness and security. When the prefix ni is added to vritti, it becomes nivritti, meaning thought waves circling or revolving inward––away from the prejudices of the external world and returning to our own Inner Wisdom. Thus pravritti stands for a transitory worldly enjoyment without the consideration of long-term consequences, while nivritti implies the realization that our actions in the world become beneficial when they are determined by the inner counsel of the conscience (buddhi). By definition then, an excess of pravritti leads to dis-ease and pain, while an abundance of nivritti leads to the highest state of consciousness, samadhi (union with the Supreme Reality). Unfortunately, an undisciplined mind is rarely in the present moment to examine its own thoughts. Instead, it randomly misdirects potentially creative energy by deferring to the myopic influences of the reptilian brain. And generally, the consequence is pain.
THE POWER OF A GLASS OF WATER Pain results from our own everyday human behavior––behavior that reflects a chronic capitulation to our unconscious biases rather than an honoring of our Inner Wisdom. But what if the knower of this Truth were to speak his or her wisdom to the “knower of the non-Truth?” When Jesus the Christ warned against “casting pearls before swine,” He was well aware that the committed “knower of the non-Truth” in many instances is not capable of hearing the Truth, and that to insist on speaking the Truth to that “deaf ” person would likely bring him or her more emotional pain and confusion than enlightenment. Yoga Science asserts that every human being will eventually be able to hear and act on the Truth to end their own sorrows, yet the journey to that grace can indeed be long and winding. The following story speaks to that condition. A brilliant young student, feeling proud of his great knowledge, once asked his teacher, Narada, to explain to him why it is that everyone can’t see, hear and speak the Truth. Having both a great love for the disciple and an understanding of his limitations, the master agreed to share this knowledge, but only after the young man fetched a glass of water from a nearby house to quench Narada’s thirst. Eager to please his master, the disciple approached the house and knocked. To his amazement, when the door opened the most beautiful woman he had ever seen stood before him. As he gazed into her eyes, he fell deeply in love and the two soon married. In the years that followed, he and his wife found joy in one another, were blessed with healthy children and amassed considerable wealth and property. But eventually his fortunes changed. Death snatched away the lives of his wife and children, and floods destroyed his property. He was left alone, poor and old. One night, as he sat brooding in his hut, there came a knock at the door. When he opened it, his master, standing before him, asked, “So? Where’s my glass of water?” The mind, ignorant of its true nature,
habitually moves in the world amidst desire, fear and anger. When the mind operates in this manner, the decision-making process is corrupted, and a human being sacrifices the discriminative faculty of buddhi in favor of the rapid-fire reaction of deep-seated, unconscious biases, habits and compulsions. In principle, rectifying this dilemma by training our attention is a rather simple process. When the mind becomes aware of some unconscious bias that conflicts with the Inner Wisdom of the mind’s conscience (buddhi), if we gently honor, witness and sacrifice those particular thoughts and lovingly redirect the mind toward the mantra, that skillful action will automatically change the software of the unconscious mind. In effect, this process will increase reserves of love, fearlessness and strength, while intensifying the mind’s access to a healing energy, willpower and creativity. Problems arise when a distraction is not just a stray thought, but the product of a deep compulsive resentment, worry or desire. The power of such thoughts can often be overwhelming because there’s nothing the ego likes more than to think about itself and to rejustify the personality’s sense of lack and powerlessness. Remember, when your attention toward anything that conflicts with your own Inner Wisdom is broken, compulsive thoughts will increasingly display less and less authority. All the power of thoughts comes from the attention you give them–– and when you withdraw your attention, thoughts are actually powerless to compel you to act or speak in injurious ways.
THE VALUE OF DIRECT EXPERIENCE
Direct experience is the highest test to validate what is the real Truth to speak and to act upon. When you come to know the Truth directly by making the entire mind-bodysense complex your personal laboratory for experimenting with the Truth, there will be no need to seek confirmation from outside sources or people. Doubts and insecurities only arise when a naive individual unnecessarily relies on the hearsay of others. But as 9
the mind becomes trained to defer to the Truth reflected by the conscience (buddhi), the ego, senses and unconscious mind all experience a brilliance of confidence. Through the process of personally experimenting with Truth, our thoughts, speech and actions become reflections of our higher knowledge rather than mere habit. But in order to gain that level of freedom, it’s critically important to understand and practice the philosophy of detachment or non-attachment (vairagya). In our present day culture, when we hear the word “detachment” we tend to think of people who are callous, aloof, indifferent or uninvolved, but detachment actually means “love in action.” We’re not required to renounce the things of the world nor the fulfillment of our genuine needs, but we are asked to perform our duties lovingly, skillfully and selflessly––remaining unattached to the fruits of our action. What we’re really detaching from is the demands of our own ego, whose tyranny has made us believe that happiness comes only when events and people serve our likes and dislikes and self-willed desires. Detachment grants us the freedom to set aside our own limitations and biases and those of others––
before we commit to taking a specific action that will yield a specific consequence. St. Francis of Assisi reminds us “it is in giving that we receive.” In order to become the beneficiary of something worthwhile, like health and happiness, we must be willing to give up certain unconscious attachments that the personality treasures. When we are faced with a choice of what to think, say or do, the philosophy of non-attachment helps create a space between our first habitual reaction––based on the limitations of our deepest habit patterns––and our ultimate response. When we’re practicing detachment, the stored power of the mantra comes forward providing us love, fearlessness and strength. Then, even in the face of strong ego or sense gratifications that conflict with Inner Wisdom, detachment provides us the freedom to re-center ourselves in our Essential Nature (Sat-Chit-Ananda). In the fullness of that new perspective, we discover the resources and encouragement that allow the discriminating buddhi to guide our mind, action and speech in ways that will enable us to fulfill the purpose of life. Between and surrounding two thoughts, there exists a silence, and in that silence lies
Capitol Chamber Artists
THANKS-GIVING
Dinner –– Fundraiser –– Chamber Music Concert Celebrating AMI’s 22nd Anniversary
Friday, November 16th 6:00 -10:00 PM Donation: $75 • RSVP by Nov. 13
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infinite intelligence––pure consciousness, wisdom, bliss and fullness. This omnipresent sea of consciousness is known as the Eternal Witness, and is your true Higher Self. If you are awake to the presence of the Eternal Witness within, Its perfect wisdom will come forward into your awareness to help you see the infinite possibilities existing in that silent space between two thoughts. Then, if you consciously serve that Eternal Witness in thought, word and deed, you are creating new, healthy habits that can continually lead you for your highest good. However, if you ignore the possibilities, your mind, action and speech will remain enslaved to the self-created mental software of unconscious biases. And inevitable pain and limitation are the results of this ignorance. If a thought comes into your awareness, view it as a suggestion of what to give your attention to. As your practice becomes more
consistent, you will be increasingly free to consciously direct your attention with discrimination. You can respond creatively and lovingly––even when confronted with the temptation that is comfortable, attractive and familiar. Remember, thoughts, desires, emotions and concepts are various forms of raw power. They are coming to you every minute of every day for some noble purpose that you alone are uniquely qualified to accomplish. What are you going to do with all that energy, and what philosophy of life will support you in making all your important choices? When you are ready to dedicate all your sacred energies to making your life a beautiful and rewarding work of art, Yoga Science can definitely provide you a time-tested template for this world’s greatest adventure––the journey to Self-realization.
22nd Annual Appeal The American Meditation Institute Since 1996
AMI has taught thousands of students.
Help Us Bring Yoga Science to Life!
Call (518) 674-8714 Donate Online at: americanmeditation.org/annual-appeal 11
Rediscover your Love of Medicine and Life! 10th Annual Conference for Physicians • PAs • NPs • RNs
Holistic Mind/Body Medicine Comprehensive Training in Yoga Science as
A Unique Curriculum of Practical AMI MEDITATION Tools to Help: Relieve Physician Burnout and Stress • Support the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Addiction Promote Optimal Health and Resilience
32 CMEs
The Heart and Science of Yoga AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM
®
AMI MEdITATIoN • Mantra Science • diaphragmatic Breathing • Yoga Psychology Mind Function optimization • Easy-Gentle Yoga • Lymph System detox Chakra System • Yoga Nidra • Ayurveda • Food as Medicine • Positional Therapy Epigenomics • Trauma • PTSd • Resilience • Neuroplasticity • Mind/Body Research
AMI MEDITATION PRACTICES TO RELIEVE PHYSICIAN BURNOUT Albany Medical College
Yoga Science for Modern Life
OCTOBER 23-27, 2018
5 1/2
Hour Online Video Course & Book
Space is LIMITED
Lenox, Massachusetts
The only 4-Diamond Resort in the Berkshires
Please Register EARLY!
FREE !
Susan Lord Md
Leonard Perlmutter AMI Founder
Anita Burock Md
REGISTER ONLINE :
Mark Pettus Md
Jesse Ritvo Md
Beth NetterMd
Joshua Zamer Md
Renee Goodemote Md
Tony Santilli Md
PrashantKaushikMd G. Grodnitzky Phd Jenness Perlmutter Sat Bir S. Khalsa Phd
Lee Albert NMT
americanmeditation.org/cme • Tel. (518) 674-8714
Curriculum Endorsed by: Mehmet Oz MD, Dean Ornish MD, Larry Dossey MD and Bernie Siegel MD
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AMI CME CONFERENCE FACULTY SPEAKERS Leonard Perlmutter, AMI Founder Yoga Science & Ayurveda Core Curriculum
Leonard is the founder and director of The American Meditation Institute, a noted educator, philosopher, and author of both the award-winning book The Heart and Science of Yoga ® and the mind/body medicine journal Transformation. Leonard has served on the faculties of the New England Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine, the Himalayan Yoga Teachers Association and the College of Saint Rose. He is a direct disciple of Swami Rama––who, in laboratory conditions at the Menninger Institute, demonstrated that blood pressure, heart rate and the autonomic nervous system can be voluntarily controlled. Leonard has presented courses at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, the U. S. Military Academy at West Point and The New York Times Yoga Forum.
Mark Pettus, MD Epigenomics/Inflammation/Allostatic Load
Beth Netter, MD Breath as Medicine & Relieving Burnout
Susan Lord, MD East Meets West and Food as Medicine
Sat Bir S. Khalsa, PhD Yoga’s Mind/Body Connection
Mark is a board certified internist and nephrologist currently serving as Director of Medical Education and Population Health at Berkshire Health Systems, and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at UMass Medical School. Mark is the author of The Savvy Patient and It’s All in Your Head.
Susan graduated from Case Western School of Medicine and is in private practice in Great Barrington, MA focusing on prevention and treatment through mindful living and lifestyle changes. She served as Director of Food as Medicine program at the Center for Mind/Body Medicine from 1996-2007.
Beth is an holistic physician in Albany, NY. A graduate of the University at Buffalo’s School of Biomedical Sciences, she completed her residency in anesthesiology at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. Beth serves as Chair of AMI’s Department of Medical Education.
Sat Bir is Director of Research, Kundalini Research Institute, and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He coordinates the Symposium on Yoga Research, is editor of the Int’l Journal of Yoga Therapy and author of Your Brain on Yoga.
NEW 2018
Jesse Ritvo, MD Trauma/PTSD & Building Resilience
Anthony Santilli, MD Relieving Physician Burnout
Renee Goodemote, MD Pain Management
Jenness Cortez Perlmutter Psychology of the Chakra System
Jesse graduated from Harvard College and received his medical degree from the Brown-Dartmouth Medical Program. Jesse is assistant medical director of inpatient psychiatry at the University of Vermont Health Center-Central Vermont Medical Center, as well as an assistant professor of medicine at UVM.
Renee is medical director, Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center. She served as chair of the Department of Family Medicine and President of the Medical Staff. She is board certified in Family Medicine, offering Yoga Science to her patients in the form of a complementary pain management program.
NEW 2018
Gustavo Grodnitzky, PhD Culture Trumps Everything Gustavo is a noted psychologist and author. After receiving his Ph.D. in clinical and school psychology from Hofstra University, he completed post-doctorate degrees in both cognitive therapy and forensic psychology. He serves as Chair of AMI's Psychological Education Department.
NEW 2018
Anita Burock-Stotts, MD Meditation-in-Action Panel Anita is board certified in Internal Medicine and currently practices Functional Medicine in Guilderland, NY. She graduated from Penn State (Phi Beta Kappa) and the Medical College of Pennsylvania (Alpha Omega Alpha), and is a member of AMI’s Department of Medical Education.
“Wonderful conference! Anyone who has an open mind will benefit from this new, refreshing way to look at life. If we shift our perspective, we can transform draining experiences at work and home into teaching points for our own spirituality and growth.” Negean Afifi DO, Emergency Medicine, California
Tony received his medical degree from the University at Buffalo, having completed his fellowship at Weill Cornell University and post graduate training at Brown. He is board-certified in Pulmonary and Critical Care medicine in Schenectady and Amsterdam NY.
Jenness has studied Yoga Science and practiced AMI Meditation since 1977. She is the co-founder and faculty member of AMI, editor of the Transformation journal and a direct disciple of Swami Rama of the Himalayas. Jenness graduated from the Herron School of Art, and is a world-renowned artist.
Joshua Zamer, MD Addiction Recovery
Joshua is medical director for Addiction Medicine at the Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center. He is board certified in Family and Addiction Medicine, and previously served at the St. Peter’s Addiction Recovery Center (SPARC) Inpatient Detox Unit and Outpatient Clinic.
NEW 2018
Prashant Kaushik, MD Meditation-in-Action Panel Prashant received Bachelors of Medicine & Surgery degrees from All India Institute of Medical Services. A board-certified, lead Rheumatologist at the Albany VA Medical Center, he is Associate Professor, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Albany Medical College, and a member of the AMI Department of Medical Education.
Lee Albert, NMT Positional Therapy for Chronic Pain Relief Lee is a neuromuscular therapist and certified yoga instructor. He created, practices and teaches Integrated Positional Therapy––yogic protocols to reduce and often eliminate chronic pain. Lee is the author of Yoga for Pain Relief: A New Approach to an Ancient Practice.
NEW 2018
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CALENDAR
FREE: SUNDAY GUIDED MEDITATION & SATSANG
Sundays 9:30-11:00 AM with Leonard (Ram Lev) and Jenness
OCTOBER 2018
OCT 3- OCT 31: MORNING YOGA FOR 50 PLUS see p. 4 Wed. Mornings, 9:45 - 11:00 AM (5 wks)
OCT 4 - 18: BEST CHOICES
see p. 5
Thurs. Nights, 6:30 - 8:30 PM (3 wks)
15% OFF ALL ITEMS
A MI BOOKSTORE October - December
BOOKS
CDs • MUGS • MASSAGE OILS STATUARY • YOGA MATS • SHAWLS HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE • NETI POTS
ONLINE MEDITATION COURSE
G.I. SUSTAIN • INCENSE • JEWELRY At AMI’s Bookstore, Averill Park
americanmeditation.org/ami-shop
see p. 4
OCT 13 & 20: INTRO TO AMI MEDITATION
Sat. Mornings, 9:30 - 11:00 AM (2 wks, Averill Park)
NOVEMBER 2018
NOV 3 & 10: INTRO TO AMI MEDITATION
see p. 4
Sat. Mornings, 9:30 - 11:00 AM (2 wks, Clifton Park)
NOV 5- DEC 10: GITA/YOGA PSYCHOLOGY see p.5 Mon. Nights, 6:30 - 8:30 PM (6 wks)
NOV 7- NOV 28: MORNING YOGA FOR 50 PLUS see p. 4 Wed. Mornings, 9:45 - 11:00 AM (4 wks)
NOV 10- DEC 15: AMI MEDITATION see p. 2-3
Sat. Mornings, 9:00-11:30 AM (6 wk) Complete Foundation Course
NOV 16: THANKS-GIVING DINNER/CONCERT see p.10 Fri. Night, 6:00 - 10:00 PM (RSVP by Nov 13)
DECEMBER 2018
DEC 5- DEC 26: MORNING YOGA FOR 50 PLUS see p. 4 Wed. Mornings, 9:45 - 11:00 AM (4 wks)
DEC 6 & 13: ADVANCED TANTRIC HEALING Thurs. Nights, 6:30 - 8:30 PM (2 wks)
see p. 5
DEC 31: NEW YEAR’S EVE see p. 16
Mon. Night, 6:30 - 10:00 PM (RSVP by Dec 28)
JANUARY 2019
JAN 2- JAN 30: MORNING YOGA FOR 50 PLUS see p. 4 Wed. Mornings, 9:45 - 11:00 AM (5 wks)
JAN 5- FEB 9: THE HEART & SCIENCE OF YOGA see p. 2-3
Sat. Mornings, 9:00-11:30 AM (6 wk) Complete Foundation Course
JAN 7- FEB 11: GITA/YOGA PSYCHOLOGY see p.5 American Meditation Institute
Yoga Science for Modern Life October - December, 2018 • Vol. XXII No. 1 ©2018 60 Garner Road, Averill Park, NY 12018
americanmeditation.org \ Tel. (518) 674-8714 ami@americanmeditation.org AMI is a tax exempt, non-profit 501(c)3 educational organization. Donations are fully tax deductible.
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Mon. Nights, 6:30 - 8:30 PM (6 wks)
JAN 12 & 19: INTRO TO AMI MEDITATION
see p. 4
Sat. Mornings, 9:30 - 11:00 AM (2 wks, Averill Park)
GIVING CAMPAIGN 22nd Annual
ank you for your generosity.
americanmeditation.org/annual-appeal
YOGA SCIENCE NEWS Meditation is Good for Business
Most of us have heard how meditation can enhance our personal life, but did you know that meditation is also good for business? According to Forbes magazine, meditation can make you “exponentially more effective throughout your career.” Here’s how: 1. Increase focus and productivity: You become less distracted when focusing on specific assignments, and achieve a higher rate of successful task completion. 2. Elevate energy & memory capacity: You find it easier to
rest your busy mind and fall asleep, which contributes to higher energy levels during the day and an increased memory capacity. 3. Better, easier decisionmaking: You are able to quiet the mind and access your intuition during deliberation. 4. Higher patience and tolerance levels: You are able to pause, breathe and choose your response more wisely to a variety of triggers in the workplace and release judgment about what others may say and do.
Photo: 123rf
Gender and Burnout
Do You Have a Toxic Boss?
Are you among the 75% of Americans who claim their “boss is the most stressful part of their workday?” According to the Harvard Business Review, studies in American workplaces show that people with toxic employers are more likely to experience chronic stress, depression and anxiety, all of which increase the risk of a lowered immune system,
Photo: 123rf
colds, strokes, and even heart attacks. Of course, finding a better job situation may be the optimal option, but not practical for many people. If you can’t change your job right now, meditation and gentle yoga can help you respond more creatively. Remember, you can’t really control your boss, but you can manage your own reactions and responses.
In a recent Medscape survey, 48% of female physicians reported burnout vs. 38% of their male peers. The AMA also reports the additional differences: Coping: More than 50% of female physicians with burnout discuss it with family and friends, while only 39% of men do. Men were more likely to cope with burnout by exercising (52%) compared with 47% of women. Female physicians experiencing burnout are also more likely to: Sleep: 46% vs. 38%. Eat junk food: 39% vs. 27%. Binge eat: 23% vs. 18%. Seek help: 31% vs. 24%. Relationships and finances. Both men and women rated their job as the greatest cause of depression. Women ranked family and romantic relationships in second place, while for men it was finances. 15
American Meditation Institute Yoga Science for Modern Life
Tel. 518.674.8714 • 60 Garner Road, Averill Park, NY 12018
FREE: New Year’s Eve
Pitch-In Vegetarian Dinner • Movie • Fire Ceremony
PART 2:
It’s Not What You Think. Monday, December 31st 6:00 -10:00 PM RSVP By Friday, December 28th
americanmeditation.org
American Meditation Institute
American Meditation Institute
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