ENTERING THE TAO:
LEVEL 1
I.T.M.I. CERTIFICATION & TEACHER TRAINING
June 2021
Apply now
(meditation certification is open to all who want to deepen their practice, becoming a teacher is optional)
Prerequisites:
- An essay expressing your interest, past spiritual journey, & current intent, and
- Engage in home practice with the 8 Taoist Foundational meditations (embedded below) or
- Complete Taoist Meditation Level 1 at Yo San University or
- Complete a 2 day intensive Taoist Expertise & Mastery Foundation retreat or
- Achieve certification in Taoist Meditation Level 1 through C.H.I.
Here is a recording to meet the Prerequisite for Level 1:
Post requisite:
- To sustain certification, remote participation in an online workshop/retreat or joining one in-person retreat at least every other year is required to reinforce mastery and also to encourage & support spiritual development in oneself and others. Retreats begin with dinner Friday and continue through Sunday evening. We will practice together, deepening and strengthening meditation practice with the reinforcement of group dynamic. These deepening retreats will be hosted by master teachers for in person conversation, questions, and support.
Learn more about College of Tao's retreat sites/accomodations here.
To deepen Taoist meditation practice, the ground floor must be stable and strong. Level 1 Teacher Training includes creating a traditional altar, Feng Shui, energetic regulation during meditation, posture, and hand positions.
Each month, meditators will master one meditation in each of the 8 Taoist Meditation Pillars deepens and fortifies meditation practice to a level of mastery in each of the following 8 Taoist Meditation Pillars:
1. Symbiosis with Nature Meditation
Foundations/Level 1 Logistics: The 8 month certification program is primarily independent practice, using Insight Timer for accountability of practice time. Daily practice of at least 20 minutes is required to complete the program. Daily journaling and reflection will also be required for completion. There will be monthly lectures delivered live via Zoom, with time for questions, conversation, and group practice. Ongoing support is available with your meditation guide.
We will typically meet on the first Thursday of each month at 5 PM PST for the lesson and practice. We will meet again typically on the 4th Thursday of the month from 5-6:30 PM PST to practice and respond to questions. Lessons will be recorded and available to watch or listen to, allowing you to keep pace with the group should a live session be missed.
Whether you plan to teach professionally or just intend to deepen your own practice through certification, learning how to share meditation in a careful way is relevant. The glow of inner peace is attractive, and so you will likely encounter opportunities to teach. A Teaching Intensive will be available at the end of the certification, and it is optional. It covers important aspects of how to teach, and the logistics of teaching meditation. Certification must be completed satisfactorily.
Those who successfully complete the Teaching Training Intensive and continue to Level 2 will have the opportunity be connected to a new Level 1 meditation student as their meditation guide (this is optional).
This certification series will meet at 5 PM PST the first Thursday of each month beginning in June for lecture and meditation practice, with a follow up Q&A the 4th Thursday of the month from 5-6:30 PM. Makeup classes available online through recorded sessions.
June 3 &24
July 1 & 22
August 5 & 26
September 2 & 23
October 7 & 28
November 4 & 24* note this is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (for Americans)
December 2 & 23
January 6 & 27
Teaching Intensive & Certification
February 7, 2022
8-11 AM PST
cost: $640. paid in full or in 8 monthly payments of $80. each.
Teaching Intensive & Certification is optional, and it is an additional $80
If you find this course is not for you, you may cancel at anytime.
Once complete, you may enroll in the February Teacher Training Intensive ($80, in person or via webcast) for teaching guidance and certification. Teacher Certification requires a final examination, both written and practical.
For more information, contact us.
Each month, meditators will master one meditation in each of the 8 Taoist Meditation Pillars deepens and fortifies meditation practice to a level of mastery in each of the following 8 Taoist Meditation Pillars:
1. Symbiosis with Nature Meditation
- Solar, Lunar, & all of Nature
- Clear, Nourish, Shield
- Wu Tao
- 6 Healing Sounds with 手印 shou yin (hand positions & postures)
- Dao In Invocations 1 - 21
- Renewal
- Consultation with the Divine Elements of I Ching
- Microcosmic Orbit
Foundations/Level 1 Logistics: The 8 month certification program is primarily independent practice, using Insight Timer for accountability of practice time. Daily practice of at least 20 minutes is required to complete the program. Daily journaling and reflection will also be required for completion. There will be monthly lectures delivered live via Zoom, with time for questions, conversation, and group practice. Ongoing support is available with your meditation guide.
We will typically meet on the first Thursday of each month at 5 PM PST for the lesson and practice. We will meet again typically on the 4th Thursday of the month from 5-6:30 PM PST to practice and respond to questions. Lessons will be recorded and available to watch or listen to, allowing you to keep pace with the group should a live session be missed.
Whether you plan to teach professionally or just intend to deepen your own practice through certification, learning how to share meditation in a careful way is relevant. The glow of inner peace is attractive, and so you will likely encounter opportunities to teach. A Teaching Intensive will be available at the end of the certification, and it is optional. It covers important aspects of how to teach, and the logistics of teaching meditation. Certification must be completed satisfactorily.
Those who successfully complete the Teaching Training Intensive and continue to Level 2 will have the opportunity be connected to a new Level 1 meditation student as their meditation guide (this is optional).
This certification series will meet at 5 PM PST the first Thursday of each month beginning in June for lecture and meditation practice, with a follow up Q&A the 4th Thursday of the month from 5-6:30 PM. Makeup classes available online through recorded sessions.
June 3 &24
July 1 & 22
August 5 & 26
September 2 & 23
October 7 & 28
November 4 & 24* note this is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (for Americans)
December 2 & 23
January 6 & 27
Teaching Intensive & Certification
February 7, 2022
8-11 AM PST
cost: $640. paid in full or in 8 monthly payments of $80. each.
Teaching Intensive & Certification is optional, and it is an additional $80
If you find this course is not for you, you may cancel at anytime.
Once complete, you may enroll in the February Teacher Training Intensive ($80, in person or via webcast) for teaching guidance and certification. Teacher Certification requires a final examination, both written and practical.
For more information, contact us.
If you're paying from outside of the United States, you may pay here.