Welcome to Santa Clara Meditation! πΏ In today’s highly competitive academic environment, college students face immense pressure, often sacrificing their mental well-being in the pursuit of success. But what if true happiness could be found not by adding more achievements, but by subtracting the burdens of the mind? π§
In this exciting post, we explore how our Mind Subtraction meditation was introduced to a popular “Happiness Advantage” course at UC Berkeley. Read on to discover how these bright students learned to empty their minds, let go of their rigid standards, and find genuine, lasting inner peace through a simple and logical meditation practice! π
Mind Subtraction Meditation Introduced to a Happiness Course at a Prestigious Western US University, Gaining Favorable Responses from Students
(Mind Subtraction meditation has been introduced to a happiness course at UC Berkeley (University of California, Berkeley), a representative prestigious university in the western United States, gaining favorable responses from students.) π«
Amid the global craze for “happiness studies,” Mind Subtraction meditation has been introduced to a happiness course at UC Berkeley (University of California, Berkeley), a prestigious university in the western US, gaining favorable responses from students. π
The UC Berkeley happiness course, titled “Happiness Advantage,” is a liberal arts course taken by students from various majors, including communications, sociology, political science, economics, and cognitive science. It explores happiness through various activities and discussions. π
In this course, under the theme “Meditation challenge to find happiness,” Mind Subtraction meditation lectures were held twice, in September (September 13) and November (November 9). ποΈ
Invited as a guest lecturer, Instructor Pralima Prahan of the Berkeley Meditation Center conducted a unique lecture on happiness focusing on the principles of Mind Subtraction meditation and meditation practice. π§ββοΈ
Rather than delivering knowledge, providing a guide, or teaching about happiness, she encouraged the students to reflect on their own concepts of happiness. She had them look back on their past experiences of happiness and unhappiness, and also had them think about and write down what would make them happy in the future. π
After having them closely reflect on their minds through meditation practice, she guided them to discard all those experiences of both happiness and unhappiness. π¬οΈ
To a student’s question, “If this is to be happy, why should we discard our happy stories?”, Instructor Pralima explained:
“If you keep the memory of happiness in your mind, it becomes a standard, and you will feel unhappy in situations that differ from it. If you discard all the thoughts and standards that judge what is happy or unhappy, you will encounter true, comfortable happiness in any condition or situation. Wisdom emerges from such a peaceful mind.” π‘
(UC Berkeley (University of California, Berkeley))
Contrary to preconceptions of meditation as difficult and vague, the meditation class was conducted with logical lectures and concrete methods. Although students found it somewhat unfamiliar at first, as the meditation progressed, they reported feeling their minds emptying out and experiencing comfort and lightness. ποΈ
Students who participated in the class shared their thoughts, saying:
- “The method is innovative and interesting.” β¨
- “The concept and ideas are new.” π
- “I learned how to always be happy and the true meaning of happiness.” π
Instructor Pralima, who conducted the lecture, stated, “Both the students and the supervising professor showed a great response. I have even received a request from Professor Emmanuel of the Happiness Advantage course, who planned this meditation class, to lecture again next semester.” π
Meanwhile, UC Berkeley is one of the representative universities in the western United States and is a prestigious institution ranked 3rd among US universities by Forbes magazine. π
