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Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology(KAIST) via Coursera |
Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/self-reflection-meditation
### Course Review: Meditation: A Way to Achieve Your Goals in Life In a world that often measures success by material possessions, accolades, and external validation, it's easy to lose sight of our inner selves. The Coursera course **"Meditation: A Way to Achieve Your Goals in Life"** presents an enlightening approach to reconnecting with our true selves through meditation and self-reflection. This course offers a profound exploration of personal growth, emphasizing the importance of inner peace and understanding. #### Course Overview and Philosophy The course begins with the thought-provoking premise that many individuals lead lives driven by external factors—money, fame, and societal expectations—while neglecting their deeper desires and innate purpose. As articulated by the philosopher Eric Fromm, this dichotomy of "To Have" versus "To Be" lays the foundation for understanding fulfillment. The course encourages participants to seek authenticity in their lives by cultivating self-awareness and developing a connection with their inner selves. **Self-Reflection as a Methodology** The syllabus is structured into six comprehensive modules, each focusing on different aspects of meditation and self-reflection: 1. **Necessity of Self-Reflection**: This module emphasizes the crucial role of self-reflection in personal growth and happiness. Participants engage with academic research and create life graphs to visualize their journeys. 2. **Principle and Practice of Self-Reflection**: The core concepts of self-reflection are explored, accompanied by practical exercises that tackle various life barriers and emotional challenges. 3. **Copied World and Real World**: This thought-provoking section distinguishes between societal constructs and genuine self-expression, aiming to liberate participants from conditioning. 4. **Methodology of Mind Cleansing**: Here, the focus shifts to practical techniques for cleansing the mind, aiming for transformation and positive mindset development. 5. **Self-Reflection in Ordinary Life**: Through relatable case studies, this module illustrates how meditation and reflection can be integrated into day-to-day experiences, fostering resilience and mental well-being. 6. **Starting Point of a New Life**: The course culminates in a vision for living wisely and peacefully, encouraging participants to redraw their life graphs and foster continuous self-improvement. #### Course Highlights - **In-Depth Knowledge**: Each module is rich in content and backed by academic research, providing participants with both theoretical understanding and practical application. - **Engaging Exercises**: The course encourages active participation through self-reflection, case studies, and visualization techniques, making learning interactive and personal. - **Expert Insight**: The instructors bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in psychology and meditation, guiding students through the nuances of self-discovery. #### Pros and Cons **Pros:** - **Transformative Learning Experience**: This course stands out for its focus on inner growth and practical strategies for self-reflection and mind-cleansing. - **Flexible Learning**: As an online course, it offers flexibility, allowing participants to progress at their own pace. - **Diverse Content**: The interplay of theory and practice ensures a well-rounded understanding of meditation in the context of self-improvement. **Cons:** - **Require Personal Commitment**: The course demands genuine introspection and effort, which may be challenging for some. - **Potentially Broad Scope**: Some topics may feel broad or abstract without more personal guidance, as the course covers a wide range of philosophical concepts. #### Recommendation I wholeheartedly recommend **"Meditation: A Way to Achieve Your Goals in Life"** for anyone seeking deeper fulfillment and understanding in their lives. Whether you're someone just starting on the path of self-discovery or someone familiar with meditation, this course presents valuable insights that can lead to profound personal transformation. The structured approach, practical exercises, and emphasis on self-reflection are invaluable tools for anyone looking to not only set and achieve their goals but to enrich their overall quality of life. Through this course, learners can cultivate a peaceful mind, clarify their purpose, and ultimately live a life filled with wisdom and authenticity. This course is not just an academic pursuit but a personal journey—allowing you to align your external achievements with your internal aspirations. Enroll today and take the first step toward a more aware, fulfilling life.
1 Necessity of self-reflection
Self- reflection is the methodology of meditation for growth, happiness and human completion: (1) Why do we need self-reflection?, (2) Academic research on self-reflection, (3) Draw my life graph, and (4) Ultimate purpose of self-reflection
2 Principle and practice of self-reflectionLearn the principle of self-reflection and practice the self–reflection through 5 subjects: (1) Methodology of self-reflection, (2) Practice of self-reflection through 5 essential subjects (barrier in relationships, inferiority and ego in childhood, emotion of love and hatred since childhood, worries, response to problems), and (3) My past life and my current self
3 Copied world and real worldRecognize the copied world and real world and think of living free from the self.: (1) Principle of mind formation, (2) Human recognition observed by philosophers and neuroscientists, (3) Understanding the reasons why we cannot live my own way, and (4) Human mind and Original mind
4 The methodology of mind cleansingLearn and practice the methodology of mind cleansing: (1) Do you want to change yourself?, (2) Methodology of the mind cleansing, (3) Repetition of the self-reflection of the 5 essential subjects, (4) Real potential and positive mind.
5 Self-reflection and the mind cleansing in ordinary life.Learn and practice the methodology of self-reflection and the mind cleansing in everyday life: (1)Stress is the impetus for growth, (2) Case study on overcoming the self, (3) Health-mind relationship and brain wave changes, and (4) Meaning of self-reflection and the mind cleansing in life.
6 Starting point of new life, life with wisdom and the peaceful worldLet’s start the peaceful life with wisdom: (1) Draw your life graph again, (2)People at school and the office practicing self-reflection continuously, (3) Meaning of self-reflection in social aspects (through reflections on communication and relationships), (4) Starting point of the peaceful life with wisdom
Do we truly think that we have lived for ourselves? Perhaps we have lived for money, love, fame, family and pride etc.? Therefore, we don’t seem to be satisfied even though we are full of those things. It is because that we don’t know ourselves. Eric Fromm talked about human nature as two modes of being: “To Have” and “To Be”. If we are “Having” the nature of possessions, we are not satisfied, and feel empty and futile. Then, how can we be “Being” the nature of our inner-selves? Sometimes, we
Follow step by step and gradually be lighter, happier and closer to high performance and goal achievement. Philosophy, psychology, neuroscience and humanities combined.
This course has been an eye opener and extremly effective , I am lucky to have done it .\n\nApprecative of the instrucion / practical training and examples of data driven proof.
The course was very interesting and easy to go through! The real challenge starts now when I have to apply all the knowledge gained. As we already know "knowing is only half the battle".
I very much enjoyed the Prof Duck Jo Lee's systematic and scientific approach to meditation. I believed that I've learned a tool that I can use for the rest of my life.
Thank you so much for this wonderful course! It is truly of great help for me and to others as well. Thank you KAIST, thank you Dr. Duck Joo Lee, Kamsahamnida!