Syllabus

Dharma Foundations in the Nine Stages of Maitreya

Over this first year of coursework Dr. Churchill, and special guests will guide you through a systematic presentation of the Nine Stages of Maitreya, integrating Buddhist contemplative science with contemporary perspectives from psychology, tantric psycho-energetics, peak performance, neuroscience, and trauma research.

What are the Nine Stages of Maitreya?

According to tradition 1600 years ago the meditation adept Asanga travelled through the dimensions of our planet to Tushita, a heavenly realm, and developed an ongoing relationship with Maitreya, the advanced Bodhisattva, and future World Teacher. Maitreya transmitted a body of teachings to Asanga who taught them and integrated them into the Mahayana, the Buddhist universal teaching. The nine stages form a part of an untranslated text called the Yogacarabhumi. 

The nine stages are an educational journey in understanding, relating to, and taming the mind. The journey is both a meditative journey, and an initiatory journey into the path of the awakening hero; the Bodhisattva. By learning to let go of distractions in our lives we can begin to calmly stay on what is most meaningful to us. The nine stages are the training par excellence in peak performance supporting our personal, interpersonal, cultural and systemic engagement. As we become more unified within we are able to bring about unification in the world. 

In this year long journey you will first develop an overview of the Planetary Dharma Path of the Bodhisattva. Then we build a strong foundation in the Buddhist psychology relevant to the nine stages. Over the year, we will step by step develop the motivational, cognitive, attentional, metacognitive, and interpersonal skills of engagement, joy, happiness, inner unity, and equanimity, the goals of the nine stages.

Syllabus

Apprentice Level Training (ALT)

M = Module | R = Retreat

This syllabus is subject to minor adjustments.

ALT M1: The Path of Learning

January 14th & 15th

Thursday Evenings: Jan 19th & Feb 2nd

  • The Path of the Planetary Bodhisattva (What)

  • The Maitreya Approach of the Boundless HeartMind (What Your Learning)

  • The Wheel of Multigenerational Trauma (Why)

  • Overview of the Nine-Stages of Mastering the Elephant Brain (How)

  • Conscious Experience Model (Who)

  • Refuge in Mother: The Foundation of Path (Safety/Attachment)

ALT M2: The Path of Reflection

Feb 11th & 12th

Thursday Evenings: Feb 16th & March 2nd

  • The Dynamics of the Path

  • The Four Reflections

  • Event Perspective/Mind Perspective

  • Moments of Consciousness Model

  • Hindrances, Antidotes, Powers, and Drives 

  • Five Controlling Mental Factors

  • Mindfulness: Conjoining Metacognition and Attention

ALT M3: The Path of Mindfulness I

March 11th & 12th

Thursday Evenings: March 16th & April 6th

  • The Power of Self

  • Staying on the meditation object (intensification of interest) continuous vs complete staying

  • Applying Cause and Effect: the positive feedback looping the pleasure of practice

  • Blazing the Inner Fire of the Heart

ALT M4: The Path of Mindfulness II

April 15th & 16th

Thursday Evenings: April 20th

  • The Directions of Heart

  • Character and the Heart Center

  • Sustaining Energy and the Psychology of Flow

  • The Word & Mysteries of Love

  • Evolutionary Peak Performance: Growth Mindset, Vision, Positive States, Meditative Flow, & Grit

ALT R1: Five Day Practice Retreat

May 3rd - May 7th

Thursday Evening: May 18th

  • Review of Modules 1-4

  • Review practice schedule for June & July (self study)

ALT M5: The Path of Metacognitive Awareness I

Thursday Evenings: September 7th

  • The Yogacara Mind System Model 

  • Clearing Subtle Dullness

  • Whole Body Breathing

  • Meditative Joy

ALT M6: The Path of Metacognitive Awareness II

Sept 16th & 17th

Thursday Evenings: Sept 21st, October 5th & 19th

  • Bringing the Five Factors Together

  • Assessing Progress

  • Identifying the Way Ahead

  • White Magic: The Art of Manifesting Sacred World

ALT M7: The Path of Enthusiastic Perseverance:

Oct 21st & 22nd

Thursday Evenings: Nov 2nd & Nov 16th

  • Advanced Meditation Factors and the Unification of Mind

  • The Pacification of the Senses

  • Joy & Happiness:  Learning to Ease Up in Life

ALT M8: The Path of Enthusiastic Perseverance

ALT M9: The Path of Equanimity

Nov 18th & 19th

Thursday Evening: No Thursday Evening (Thanksgiving)

  • Meditating on the Equanimity of Mind

ALT R2: Five Day Practice Retreat

Dec 6th -10th

  • Review & Refine: The Nine Stages of Maitreya

  • Students practice teaching the Nine Stages to each other.

Course Conclusion

Winter Solstice Celebration

Thursday Evening Dec 21st

  • The sangha reflects on the past year, all that has been accomplished, and we begin to make plans for your next stage of training at the Intermediate level.