Description
Cultivating Emotional Balance (CEB) is a contemplative training program that combines the insights of psychological research with the traditional practices of mind-training. The aim of the program is to learn to use our emotions—both pleasant and unpleasant—to cultivate greater levels of clarity and psychological wellbeing.
Originally developed by Dr. Paul Ekman, Dr. Alan Wallace and Dr. Eve Ekman at the request of the Dalai Lama, CEB has grown to become an internationally acclaimed tool for teaching key emotional and contemplative skills for those in service professions and just about anyone who wants to understand and control their emotional landscape better. This in-depth course will consist of twelve 4 – hour long sessions. Each includes some theoretical explanations, interactive group activities and periods of silent practice. Learning to understand the modulations and logic of our fundamental emotional states, we will use a number of psychological and contemplative skills to establish greater levels of inner stability. In addition, it includes a comprehensive overview of the three main forms of meditation practice: developing attentional stability, cultivating virtues of the heart and looking deeply into the nature of our experiences.
General emotional theory
1. The scientific definition of emotion
2. Evolutionary role of emotions
3. Emotions, moods, traits, and disorders
4. The timeline of an emotional episode: abbreviated and expanded
5. Refractory period
6. Emotional precondition
7. Emotional postcondition
8. Emotional database
9. Display rules
10. Emotional regulation strategies
11. Reappraisal
12. Emotional expressions
Four balances
Main aspects of our psyche that affect our inner wellbeing. For each one, we discuss the concept of “balance”, the three possible imbalances, and practices that can help us cultivate a balanced state
1. Conative
2. Cognitive
3. Attentional
4. Emotional
5. Additional dimensions: ethical and spiritual intelligences
Universal and non-universal emotions
For each emotional group, we do a deep dive into its role, definition, expression, and logic, and discuss specific regulation strategies
1. Anger
2. Fear
3. Sadness
4. Disgust
5. Contempt
6. Enjoyable emotions
7. Surprise
8. Shame
9. Guilt
Contemplative practices
Preparatory
1. Settling body, speech, and mind
2. Harvesting joy
3. Fourfold vision quest
Attentional
1. Mindfulness of breathing
2. Settling the mind
Prosocial
1. Loving kindness
2. Compassion
3. Empathetic joy
4. Equanimity
Cognitive
1. Close application of mindfulness to the body
2. Close application of mindfulness to the feelings
3. Close application of mindfulness to the mind
4. Close application of mindfulness to phenomena
We would appreciate a commitment to attending the entire course as it is highly interactive. All sessions will be recorded and made available as well as ancillary readings, video offerings and any additional materials. All are welcome to join. Participants who have completed the entire 42-hour course can receive a completion certificate.