Draft Stuff | thebeyondwithin

Six-Week Meditation Course

A Zoom-based meditation class, starting at 7.30pm (Sydney, Australia). Resolutely experiential in approach, it instructs participants on the fundamentals of meditation as a path of yogic vision. Whether you are new to meditation or are already an experienced practitioner committed to another form of practice, the class open to anyone from any background or level of experience. Running for approx. 90 mins, the class includes instruction, a guided meditation (usually 30+ mins), with time ask questions and share impressions.

There are no meditation workshops or courses planned as yet, but they are in the works for the future, both online and in-person. If you are interested in attending a workshop, on meditation as a path of yogic vision, subtle bodies and inner alchemy, feel free to fill out this form and register your interest.

Originating from a tradition of Seers, The Beyond Within offers meditation training that is rooted in the Great Tradition of yogic practice, inner alchemy and spiritual transmission, yet presented for the twenty-first century practitioner living in the modern world. It is open to all seekers from any religious, non-religious or cultural background who are not satisfied with mere belief, doctrine, or philosophical position, but wish to experience first-hand knowledge of spiritual realities. Suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners alike, the trainings are designed to facilitate the opening of yogic vision, or sūkṣmadṛṣṭi : the super-sensible vision of subtle bodies, our energetic environment, and the living presence of spirit which pervades every genuine tradition bequeathed to us from past epochs.

Introduction: Meditation & Yogic Vision (online)

An drop-in Zoom-based meditation class, held on Wednesday nights 7.30pm (Sydney, Australia time). Resolutely experiential in approach, participants are introduced to the fundamentals of meditation as a path of yogic vision. Whether you are new to meditation or are already an experienced practitioner committed to another form of practice, it is open to anyone from any background or level of experience. Running for approx. 90 minutes (may run overtime), the class includes instruction on the technique, a guided meditation (usually 30-45 mins), with time ask questions and share impressions.

One-On-One Meditation Instruction & Guidance

One-on-one meditation instruction and guidance held over Zoom. Suitable for beginners and advanced practitioners from any background, alike. Depending on one's need, it can include a direct instruction and a guided meditation, and/or addressing obstacles and issues, advice on deepening one's practice, help to move through and integrate difficult meditation experiences, and more. More than just dialogue, the sessions open up a space of vision, helping to facilitate new openings and a deeper understanding of one's practice.

The sessions can be taken as a one-off, or an ongoing arrangement can be made, with regular sessions and a personalised program of guidance and instruction. For inquiries feel free to contact me.

Meditation Courses & Workshops

What do I mean by post-traditional?

The meditation trainings I conduct are rooted in the Great Tradition of yogic practice and spiritual transmission, yet presented for the twenty-first century practitioner living in the modern world. They are to all seekers from any religious, non-religious or cultural background who are not satisfied with mere belief, doctrine, or philosophical position, but wish to experience first-hand knowledge of spiritual realities. Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners alike, the trainings facilitate the opening of yogic vision, or sūkṣmadṛṣṭi: the super-sensible cognition of subtle bodies, our energetic environment, and the living presence of spirit at the heart of every genuine tradition bequeathed to us from previous epochs.

What do I mean by subtle bodies?

Just as we have a physical anatomy, so too we possess a subtle anatomy. The term ‘subtle body’ is the common english translation of the Indian vedantic term: sūkṣma śarīra. In the past subtle bodies were implicitly self-evident, standing in no need of explanation. They formed a part of the contextual background to spiritual traditions both east and west, whether or not explicitly mentioned. But in today's world the notion of subtle bodies is not well-known or understood. While many have heard of prāṇa, or the qì of Daoist and Chinese Medical traditions (usually translated as 'life-force' or 'breath'), it remains mostly theoretical, or is re-conceptualised in acceptable physiological terms. As modern people focused on the physical body we have lost our experiential awareness of the subtle and energetic layers of our being. So much so, even the strange assertion that consciousness does not exist is taken seriously by some philosophers of mind. The loss of this awareness has had a profoundly detrimental effect on the modern psyche. If models of subtle bodies are discussed in meditation classes at all, rarely is attention paid to how they apply to and inform experience, in practice and ordinary life. The 'mind' remains and abstract container of thoughts and emotions, rather than tangibly felt vehicle of energetic forms, qualities and structures which can be transformed through practice.

What do I mean by inner alchemy?

Put very simply, inner alchemy refers to the spiritual transformation of subtle bodies. While this occurs naturally in meditative practice, alchemical approaches harness the process directly. The meditation trainings given here begin with the cultivation of a new subtle organ: the ājñā cakra or third-eye; gateway to the inner space of consciousness (chidākāsha). Instead of struggling against thoughts to establish inner calmness, as 'master' centre commanding the senses and mind the ājñā cakra functions like a switch, radiating stillness, and activating awareness of the subtle energies of the body. Aside from reviving awareness a whole dimension of human experience lost in the modern epoch, inner alchemy also entails the possibility of achieving what several traditions refer as 'the body of Immortality'.

The meditation trainings originate from a stream of teachings that are rooted inGreat Tradition of yogic practice, inner alchemy and spiritual transmission, yet presented for the twenty-first century practitioner living in the modern world. They are open to all seekers from any religious, non-religious or cultural background who are not satisfied with mere belief, doctrine, or philosophical position, but wish to experience first-hand knowledge of spiritual realities. Suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners alike, the trainings are designed to facilitate the opening of yogic vision, or sūkṣmadṛṣṭi : the super-sensible vision of subtle bodies, our energetic environment, and the living presence of spirit that pervades every genuine tradition bequeathed to us from past epochs.

The second sutra the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali states: "yogaś cittavṛtti-nirodhaḥ." We can translate this as "yoga is the stilling of the changing states of the mind", or neutralisation of the vṛttis (literally: 'whirlpools') that occur in the citta, which roughly speaking translates as 'mind-substance'. The third sutra then states: “tadā draṣṭuh svarūpe vasthānam," or "when that is accomplished, the seer abides in their own true nature."

Based on the inner space of meditation and experiential knowledge of saṃskāras, IST is a psychosomatic method (or Inner Space Technique) for therapeutic opening. The term saṃskāra is of central importance in yogic psychology and can be translated as 'latent impression', meaning the traces engraved in our psyche, left behind by past experiences and actions. Beyond dialogue, IST is an interactive process of sourcing to the saṃskāric causes that lie at the root of our mental, emotional, and energetic blockages. The result is profound release and healing with metaphysical depth, facilitating meaningful change and personal transformation.

Strictly speaking the process of sourcing is not a technique. Sourcing is rather an innate power of consciousness, and IST a method for harnessing it. It focuses awareness on the felt-sense of our embodied experience, something we habitually react to in our ordinary state of mind, but frequently without noticing. Addressing causes rather than symptoms, IST moves beyond the surface layer of the reactive mind to dismantle traumatic conditioning, drop maladaptive behavioural patterns, and heal emotional and energetic blockages.

IST (Inner Space Techniques) could

be said to be modern innovations of yogic technology,

cultivating and utilising the power of directed awareness,

to systematically investigate and uncover the source of

our saṃskāra imprints. Integrating a psychotherapeutic

dimension, it can be used as an effective technique of

therapy and healing to resolve issues and gain emotional

clarity. But it combines this with the metaphysical

dimension of vision that we have started to explore in

our meditation practice, facilitating inner perception and

profound awakening. Thus it is a powerful tool to help

achieve purification of the emotional layer with

unprecedented depth.

In meditation the rule of thumb is to simply allow all mental distractions to arise and pass, and return to the technique as often as needed. Traditionally, meditation constitutes the primary means for neutralising saṃskāras: the 'latent impressions' of past experience which unconsciously condition our mental and emotional reactions in ordinary life, and dynamise the thoughts, emotions, and bodily agitations which inevitably come with practice. More often than not when meditation practice becomes stagnant, one feels unable to break through, or feels they cannot help but get derailed by the mind or other forms of agitation, it can be sourced to a saṃskāra. Often we talk about our issues and attempt to fix their symptoms, but the saṃskāra lies beyond the ordinary level of mind, remaining unseen and unaddressed.

While the problems of life remain the same, as modern people we all live with levels of mental complication and neurosis that were simply not the case in the past. It is also far less possible, let alone appropriate, to emulate many of the traditional means deployed by gurus of the past to deconstruct conditioning and release unhelpful attachments. Like the iconic example of Marpa, the Tibetan master who famously put Milarepa through inordinate trials to deconstructed his mental obstructions, so that he could properly receive initiation and the spiritual fruitions of practice.

We need other ways to help let go and heal unseen blockages. The practice of IST was developed for just this reason. While essentially a method for applying yogic vision to help meditators, it has evolved into a fully-fledged form of therapy in its own right, practiced all over the world to help people from all walks of life:

• release emotional conditioning

• overcome anxiety

• resolve relationship issues

• heal addiction

• deal with bereavement

• change unhealthy patterns of behaviour

• clear energetic blockages

• find new meaning and purpose in life

• experience transpersonal opening

IST Therapy

Based on the inner space of meditation, somatic awareness, and experiential knowledge of saṃskāras, IST is a psychosomatic method (or Inner Space Technique) for therapeutic opening. The term saṃskāra is of central importance in yogic psychology and can be translated as 'latent impression', meaning the traces engraved in our psyche, left behind by past experiences and actions. Beyond dialogue, IST is an interactive process of sourcing to the saṃskāric causes that lie at the root of our mental, emotional, and energetic blockages. The result is profound release and healing with metaphysical depth, facilitating meaningful change and personal transformation.

The Beyond Within originates from stream of teachings that come from tradition of Seers, rooted in the Great Tradition of yogic practice, inner alchemy and spiritual transmission, yet presented for the twenty-first century practitioner living in the modern world. The meditation trainings are open to all seekers from any religious, non-religious or cultural background who are not satisfied with mere belief, doctrine, or philosophical position, but wish to experience first-hand knowledge of spiritual realities. Suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners alike, the trainings are designed to facilitate the opening of yogic vision, or sūkṣmadṛṣṭi : the super-sensible vision of subtle bodies, our energetic environment, and the living presence of spirit which pervades every genuine tradition bequeathed to us from past epochs.

Originating from a tradition of Seers, The Beyond Within's approach to meditation is rooted in the Great Tradition of yogic practice, inner alchemy, and spiritual transmission, yet presented for the twenty-first century practitioner living in the modern world. The trainings are open to all seekers from any religious, non-religious or cultural background who are not satisfied with mere belief, doctrine, or philosophical position, but wish to experience first-hand knowledge of spiritual realities. Suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners alike, the trainings are designed to facilitate the opening of yogic vision, or sūkṣmadṛṣṭi : the super-sensible vision of subtle bodies, our energetic environment, and the living presence of spirit which pervades every genuine tradition bequeathed to us from past epochs.

Medical Disclaimer & Terms of Service

ALL THE INFORMATION, SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT ARE CONTAINED HEREIN, CANNOT BE CONSIDERED SUBSTITUTES FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR TREATMENT, INCLUDING THE TREATMENT, ADVICE AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF A LICENCED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL.

The information, services and programs on this site do not constitute professional medical opinion or diagnosis, and are for educational purposes only. If you have a background

You should consult your physician or other health care professional before starting this or any other health-related program to determine if it is right for your needs. The information offered through this site is educational only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

If you have questions or situations requiring professional or medical advice, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified specialist, such as a licensed physician, psychologist, or other health professional.

Never disregard the medical advice of a psychologist or other health professional, or delay in seeking such advice because of the information offered or provided within or through the program, services or website.

If you are currently being treated by a physician or other healthcare professional for any condition or disease, do not modify your treatment program without your provider’s guidance or based on any information offered herein.

If you have experienced trauma of any kind, we recommend that you work with a trained, licensed therapist or mental healthcare professional. Our services and offerings are not meant to treat, diagnose, heal, or cure any trauma or mental or physical illness or condition.