Development of Consciousness Policies and Procedures
Development of Consciousness ELO
Classroom Policies and Procedures (For Faculty)
- Every class has a Development of Consciousness component
- A 15-minute group meditation in the classroom before lunch Mon-Sat.
- At the end of Class Mon-Fri
- Meditators stay for a 20-minute group meditation with class. This group meditation is part of each class. (Five group meditations per week.) Late minutes if meditators don’t stay.
- Sidhas are excused at 2:45pm to attend early or evening meditation in the Domes or Flying Halls on campus at least 5 times a week. This is part of the homework for each class.
- A group TM checking before lunch sometime during the course.
- Group Meditation Procedure
Please go over this procedure with your students before the meditation on the first day of class and then as needed if students are getting up without resting. Also, before you start, remind them to turn-off electronic devices and close their books.
- Pranayama, 2-5 minutes before meditation
- 15 minute meditation in AM and 20-minute meditation in PM
- 2-3 minutes of rest before opening the eyes and getting up to leave the classroom
- Finish by 3:15 pm
- Participation in group meditation is part of class.
All students are expected to participate in the in-class meditations each day — 15 minutes before lunch and 20 minutes at the end of the afternoon. Participation in the morning and afternoon meditations is part of class. The morning and weekend meditations are considered homework that is not strictly assessed. When speaking about the in-class meditation, avoid saying mandatory, not optional, and required. Say simply “it’s part of class,” and “as with every other part of class, you’re expected to be there.” It is of course also recommended to explain to students how the in-class practice of Transcendental Meditation Technique supports the goals of the course. - Speaking with students who leave.
Although sidhas are exempt from the afternoon group practice, they’re expected to participate in the morning meditation. Those who leave class before or during the class meditations should be spoken to about their attendance. In this conversation faculty should seek to support students in their comfortable practice. If the instructor is not a TM teacher or feels uncomfortable speaking to students about their practice, they can refer the student to the Department of Development of Consciousness Office. This office will work with Student Life to help find a solution for each student.
- Students with reason may be excused.
Individual faculty or the Department of Development of Consciousness (DC) may excuse students without penalty from the group practice if for some reason the student cannot meditate comfortably in class in a group. But these exceptions should be rare and should be shared with the Development of Consciousness Office (Kris Wood and Mike Farrer) when they originate with the faculty. Parents, for example, may need to pick up their children from school before the group meditation ends, but confirm this expectation with the DC Department also.
- DC reference for the Class Syllabus
There is a Development of Consciousness component to each class, including
- A 15-minute group meditation in the classroom before lunch Mon-Sat.
- At the end of Class Mon-Fri
- Meditators stay for a 20-minute group meditation with class. This group meditation is part of each class. (Five group meditations per week.) Late minutes if meditators don’t stay
- Sidhas are excused at 2:45pm to attend early or evening program in the Domes or Flying Halls on campus at least 5 times a week. This is part of the homework for each class.
- Group TM Check Procedure (one morning before lunch per block)
A TM Teacher must lead this. All TM teachers know this procedure. If the faculty is not a TM teacher, someone who is will need to come into the classroom to lead this. Any TM teacher, even a student in the class, who is a TM teacher can lead this. Be sure to make arrangements for this in advance. (Governors/TM teachers will be listed on your class list from the Enrollment Center.)
- Sidhas and Governors should be encouraged to join group program in the Domes as much as possible.
- TM checking is available to all students.
Any student who is having trouble with their meditation should be encouraged to have a personal TM checking with a TM teacher as soon as possible. Please contact the DC Department if you need to find a checker. dc@miu.edu or 641-472-1114 or campus ext. 1114.
- TM-Sidhi Consultations.
Sidhas & Governors who would like to talk with a TM-Sidhi Administrator should call 641-470-1569 for an appointment. These consultations are free for students.
- The DC Offic is planning two group meditations in the Men’s Dome each semester.
- This is for all students and faculty on the following Thursdays at 2:30 pm:
Fall: September 7th and October 5th
Spring: March 1st and May 3rd
- You will need to end your class at 2:30 at on these days and go with your students to the Men’s Dome in time to be seated for the group meditation at 2:45. We have done this in the past with great success and the students continue to ask for these large group meditations in the Dome.
- Invite students to register for the DC credit-bearing elective course.
Students may elect to sign up by the end of the August (or February) Forest for the Development of Consciousness course that runs throughout each semester. Meditators can receive one unit of elective credit per semester and sidhas can receive two credits by successfully completing this course. - A free breakfast is being planned for students who go to group meditation.
In the near future we are hoping to invite meditators and sidhas to their respective group meditation to help deepen their own experience and create coherence for the region. Each Monday, students going to the morning group meditation program in Dalby will receive a free breakfast at Annapurna following the meditation. We will notify you when this is available.
- A group TM checking before lunch sometime during the course.