Bargain Zen: Leslie Porter’s Meditation Class at Santa Monica College

Filed under: Play — StyleGuide @ 2:48 pm

I am a regular in the hallowed halls of community college adult extension programs across the Southland.  As an alumnus of East L.A. City College, Santa Monica College, Rio Hondo College, L.A. City College, UCLA extension and Beverly Hills Adult school, I have to say one of my favorites courses is “Meditation for Everyone” at Santa Monica College’s Continuing Community Education program.

The class begins with instruction on how to meditate, then everyone gives it a go for increasing periods of time.  Finally, instructor Leslie Porter leads a discussion on Buddhism.

Once I got past being surprised at myself for paying a course fee to sit completely still for 45 minutes, I found it rewarding.  Supporters tout improved decision-making, communication, well-being, health and patience as long-term benefits of meditation.

Leslie herself will surprise you.  She started our class saying, “I go on meditation retreats where I spend 40….”

This is the part where I expected her to say “minutes.”

“…days in meditation,” she finished.  Forty days without saying a word?  Amazing. 

Me?  I’m pretty proud when I get my 10 minutes a day.

Where:  Santa Monica College

Price: $$$ ($20-50)

http://commed.smc.edu

Do you meditate?

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