Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique® Training at Buffalo State College January 7, 2009

Outline 1. Introductions 2. About Meditation 3. The IAM Technique

1. Introductions Dr. Bharat Jayaraman Prof & Chair, Computer Science & Engineering University at Buffalo Padma Jayaraman Senior Software Analyst Clientlogic, Inc. Vivek Menon Faculty Associate Amrita School of Business

Manager, Training & Consulting Acknowledgments Paul Reynolds Manager, Training & Consulting Buffalo State College

Non Disclosure Agreement

IAMT Training Agenda 9:30 – 10:00 am Introduction and Overview IAMT Part I: Relaxation Exercises 10:40 – 10:50 am Break 10:50 – 11:10 am IAMT Part II: Guided Meditation 11:10 – 11:30 am Conclusion and Certificates

Amma - Founder of IAMT Born in South India. Overcame great personal hardships in early life. Has become a world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader. Extensive charitable service – including relief work for the tsunami, etc. Devised the IAM Technique to help people gain inner peace and live more fulfilled lives.

Amma, the Hugging Saint Visits Toronto in July each year. www.amma.org

Gandhi-King Award, U.N. (2002)

2. About Meditation Meditation is focusing the mind in a relaxed way on a single point of concentration. “I think, therefore I AM!” René Descartes, 17th century mathematician and philosopher. But we must stop thinking to know who we really are! Amma: “Our mind is like a non-stop TV program and we have lost the remote control! The goal of meditation is to re-gain that control.”

Forms of Meditation There are many forms of meditation, including: - focusing on one’s breath - focusing on a word (“mantra”) - focusing on an image - focusing on a point in the body etc. Generally, meditation is practiced: - at a fixed time in the day (morning or evening) - at a fixed place (a quiet room), and - for a fixed duration (about 20 minutes)

Research on Meditation Since the 1960’s, the benefits of meditation have been validated by a variety of studies: - By universities such as Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley, … - In journals such as Science, Scientific American, American Heart Association, … - In magazines such as Time, Newsweek, … Two main benefits: - Psychological - Physiological

Benefits - Psychological More Alert and Attentive Improved Learning, Creativity Reduced Anxiety, Depression benefits More Productive at Work Greater Emotional Stability Greater Peace and Joy

Benefits - Physiological Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels Greater Energy and Youthfulness Beneficial for Arthritis, Asthma benefits Speeds up Post-Operative Recovery Great for Women’s Health Higher Disease Resistance

3. Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique Visualization Sound Movement Breathing IAMT consists of two parts: - Relaxation (10 minutes) - Meditation (10 minutes)

Some Details of IAMT * IAMT can be practiced in about 20 minutes, either in the morning or the evening. * IAMT does not involve any religious symbolism, sound, or imagery nor does it require faith in god or any person. * Allow about 2 hours after a meal before starting IAMT. Allow about 15 minutes after IAMT before having a meal. * Those with a medical condition should not do some (or all) of the exercises.

IAMT Practitioners IAMT has been taught to thousands of people around the globe – Asia, Australia, Europe, U.S. and Canada. Several organizations, both corporate and government, in the US and other countries are bringing IAMT to their employees for its benefits. Buffalo State College is among the first few universities to introduce IAMT to their employees! IAMT is also being to taught in prisons in New Mexico!

Conclusion a state of restless effort to effortless rest.” In our fast-paced society, with its demands and stresses, meditation helps us to relax deeply and find true peace and joy within ourselves. Amma says, “Meditation takes us from a state of restless effort to effortless rest.”

IAMT Training Agenda 9:30 – 10:00 am Introduction and Overview IAMT Part I: Relaxation Exercises 10:40 – 10:50 am Break 10:50 – 11:10 am IAMT Part II: Guided Meditation 11:10 – 11:30 am Conclusion and Certificates