Next Step Dharma:
A post-retreat, online program for transitioning to daily life
Dharma Practice is about more than just sitting.
It's about how we live.
Meditation retreats can be powerful and transformative experiences. Yet how do we keep the practice alive in our fast-paced, modern society? How can we really bring the values and intentions of contemplative practice into the complexity of our lives?
In this six week, online course, meditation teacher Oren J. Sofer offers in-depth training to nourish the insights and learnings from a retreat. Through practical, down-to-earth videos, practices, and readings, you'll learn versatile tools to bring the teachings into your life.
The interactive discussion forums and live Q&A sessions offer mentoring for your meditation practice. And the recorded interviews with some of the most well-known, founding Insight Meditation teachers provide insights on the key components of the transition after a retreat and the foundations of practice in daily life.
Your enrollment in Next Step Dharma includes:
• 21 short Dharma Talks and 16 Guided Meditations, all geared for integration
• 18 Recorded Interviews with founding Insight Meditation teachers, including Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein
• 4 Interactive, Live Q & A Sessions with the Course Leaders
• 6 weeks of Mentoring for your practice
• Weekly Readings and Core Integration Practices
• Lifetime Membership in the Next Step Dharma Online Community
The Course Leader
Oren J. Sofer has practiced Buddhist meditation since 1997 and is a graduate of the IMS-Spirit Rock Teacher Training. He is a long-time student of Joseph Goldstein, Michele McDonald and the Venerable Ajahn Sucitto, and holds a degree in Comparative Religion from Columbia University. Oren is also a Principal Teacher at the Marin Sangha, a Collaborative Trainer with BayNVC, and a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner for healing trauma.
Next Step Dharma is an affiliate program of Spirit Rock
Rolling admissions; the course is open 365 days a year!
Fee: $99 - 189, sliding scale.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does the course start and finish?
The course is open 365 days a year with rolling admissions. You can enroll at any time, and login to work on the course according to your own schedule. Once you've enrolled, you may take as long as you like to finish!
How long will I have access to the course?
Your enrollment includes lifetime access to all core course content, as well as membership in our online community. After enrolling, you have unlimited use of the course content across any and all devices you own.
I haven't sat a retreat (or it's been a while). Can I still take this course?
Absolutely. Though some of the content will refer to one's experience on retreat, the teachings, meditations, and interviews are all relevant for anyone interested in bringing the practice to life. For some, this six-week course can even be a turning point that inspires them to sit their first retreat!
How much time should I allocate each week for the course?
That's entirely up to you. Including the guided meditations, we estimate each week will take between two to three hours total to complete.
How long do I have access to mentoring for my practice and the live Q&As?
Your enrollment provides eight weeks of access to online mentoring and live Q&A sessions. That's four live Q&As PLUS an extra two weeks of online mentoring beyond the six-week course. After you complete the course, you'll have an option to continue with the live Q&A sessions on a monthly subscription basis.
How does the online mentoring work?
A key component of our course is learning from one another and an online mentor. Each week, you'll have an opportunity to write about how your practice is going since the retreat, and to ask any questions that might be coming up. We'll be reading and responding to your comments and questions.
When are the live Q&A sessions? What if I can't make one?
The live Q&As occur roughly every ten days, and alternate between a weekend morning and a weeknight evening. If you can't make one, you'll be able to watch the recording later.
I live outside of the US. Can I still take the course?
Absolutely. Depending on what time zone you are in, it might be challenging to attend the live Q&A webinars – but let us know and we'll be happy to do our best to accomodate!
What if I'm not satisfied with the course?
We're committed to offering the best course experience possible to support your practice. If you're not satisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 14 days and we'll give you a full refund.
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