Program Overview

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University Programs

The university offers a wide range of programs, including short and online courses, undergraduate, postgraduate, professional, and research programs.

Subject Areas

• Archaeology and anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • English Local History
• Architectural history
  • Architectural History
  • History of Design
• Business and management
  • Business and management
• Data science, computing, maths
  • Data science, computing, maths
  • IT Systems Analysis and Design (Online)
• Diplomatic studies and law
  • Diplomatic Studies
  • Foundations of Diplomacy Pre-Master's Course (six months, full-time)
• Economics and politics
  • Economics and politics
• Education and study skills
  • Education
• Environment and sustainability
  • Environment and sustainability
  • Sustainable Urban Development
• History of art
  • History of Art
• History, including local and social
  • History
  • English Social and Local History
• Languages and cultural studies
  • Languages and cultural studies
• Literature, creative writing and film studies
  • English Literature
  • Creative Writing
• Medical and health sciences
  • Medical and health sciences
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Evidence-Based Health Care
• Music
  • Music
• Natural sciences
  • Nanotechnology
• Philosophy
  • Philosophy
  • Practical Ethics
• Psychology and counselling
  • Psychology and counselling
  • Psychodynamic Counselling
  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
• Religion and theology
  • Theological Studies
• Technology and AI
  • Technology and AI

Course Formats

• Day and weekend events
• In-person learning
• Lecture series
• Online learning
• Professional
• Summer schools
• Weekly learning

Undergraduate Programs

Certificates

• Archaeology
• Certificate of Higher Education
• English Literature
• History
• History of Art
• Theological Studies

Diplomas

• Archaeology
• Creative Writing
• English Social and Local History
• History of Art

Advanced Diplomas

• British Archaeology
• IT Systems Analysis and Design (Online)
• Local History (Online)

Pre-Master's

• Advanced Pre-sessional Course for Graduate Students (nine weeks, full-time)
• Foundations of Diplomacy Pre-Master's Course (six months, full-time)

Summer Schools

• Oxford University Summer School for Adults

Postgraduate Programs

Certificates

• Architectural History
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Ecological Survey Techniques
• Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Health Research
• Historical Studies
• Nanotechnology
• Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
• Psychodynamic Counselling
• Qualitative Health Research Methods
• Teaching Evidence-Based Health Care

Diplomas

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Severe Mental Health Problems
• Health Research
• International Wildlife Conservation Practice
• Psychodynamic Practice

Master of Studies (MSt)

• Creative Writing
• Diplomatic Studies
• Historical Studies
• History of Design
• Literature and Arts
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
• Practical Ethics
• Psychodynamic Practice

Research Degrees (DPhil)

• Archaeology
• Architectural History
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• English Local History
• Evidence-Based Health Care
• Literature and Arts
• Sustainable Urban Development

Master of Science (MSc)

• Applied Landscape Archaeology
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• English Local History
• Evidence-Based Health Care
• Evidence-Based Health Care Medical Statistics
• Evidence-Based Health Care Systematic Reviews
• Evidence-Based Health Care Teaching and Education
• Experimental and Translational Therapeutics
• Nanotechnology for Medicine and Health Care
• Surgical Science and Practice
• Sustainable Urban Development
• Translational Health Sciences

Professional Programs

Continuing Professional Development

• Business and management
• Cultural heritage
• Data science, computing, maths
• Diplomatic studies
• Education
• Environment and sustainability
• Medical and health sciences
• Nanotechnology and nanomedicine
• Philosophy and ethics
• Psychology and counselling
• Research methods and skills
• Technology and AI
• Urban studies

Research

Research Community

Research at Oxford Lifelong Learning extends across the disciplines and is supported by a research culture that encourages interdisciplinary initiatives.

Research Areas

• Academic staff profiles
• Part-time DPhil programmes
• Research areas
• Research students

Graduate School

The Graduate School offers a supportive and stimulating environment for both internal and external postgraduate students and researchers.

Research Forums

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Steering Group
• Lifelong Learning Pedagogies forum
• Research Ethics Colloquium
• The Vice-Chancellors Colloquium

Course Details

Mindfulness, Introspection and Meditation in Challenging Times

Course Overview

In todays fast-paced world, where we face conflicts, climate emergencies, and a growing need for mental health education, it is increasingly important to adopt methods that enhance our well-being and that of others. Ancient mind training and emotional intelligence techniques from the secular aspects of Buddhist mind science have been shown to benefit peoples lives significantly.

Programme Details

• Seminar 1: The Inner World of Consciousness
• Seminar 2: Meditation: Developing Attention and Transforming Our Mind
• Seminar 3: Obstacles to Meditation: Excitement, Distraction and Laxity
• Seminar 4: Mindfulness and Introspection
• Seminar 5: Disturbing Emotions
• Seminar 6: Constructive Emotions
• Seminar 7: Positive Transformation
• Seminar 8: Compassion and Loving Kindness
• Seminar 9: Ignorance Versus Wisdom
• Seminar 10: Relativity, Dependent Origination and Emptiness 1
• Seminar 11: Relativity, Dependent Origination and Emptiness 2
• Seminar 12: The Power of Motivation in our Actions

Programme Timetable

• Saturday: Registration, Orientation meeting, Classroom orientation, Drinks reception, Welcome dinner
• Sunday Friday: Seminars, Tea/coffee break, Lunch, Afternoons are free for tutorials, individual study, course-related field trips or exploring Oxford

Recommended Reading

• H.H. Dalai Lama and Daniel Goleman (2004). Destructive Emotions. Bantam.
• H.H. Dalai Lama (2006). How to See Yourself as You Really Are. Simon and Schuster.
• Scott Snibbe (2024). How to Train a Happy Mind: A Skeptic's Path to Enlightenment. Watkins Publishing.
• Geshe Tenzin Namdak (2026). Mindfulness, Introspection and Meditation in Challenging Times.

Certification

• Certificate of Attendance
• Digital badge
• Academic credit: 10 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4

Fees

• Fee Option 1 (Single en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals): ｣2205.00
• Fee Option 2 (Double en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) 1 person: ｣2310.00
• Fee Option 3 (Twin en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) per person: ｣1850.00
• Fee Option 4 (No Accommodation - inc. Tuition, Lunch & Dinner): ｣1375.00

Funding

Concessionary rates are available on a non-residential basis for those that qualify.

Payment

• All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.
• Payment terms: Full payment by credit/debit card at the time of booking or within 30 days of invoice date.

Cancellations and Refunds

Please see the terms and conditions for our open-access courses.

Tutor

Geshe Tenzin Namdak is a teacher at Jamyang London Buddhist Centre, an associate tutor at the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford, and is undertaking doctoral research at the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford.

Course Aims

This course aims to enhance our understanding of consciousness, exploring its potential for positive transformation, as well as methods of mindfulness and meditation to alleviate disturbing emotions and cultivate more sustainable forms of happiness.

Teaching Methods

The teaching methods used during this course may include:

• Short lectures/presentations
• Physical handouts
• Seminars/group discussions

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will have been given the opportunity to understand:

• The true meaning of mindfulness and meditation better.
• Basic techniques of meditation.
• General aspects of Buddhist mind science.
• The principal aspects of the reality of interdependence and compassion.
• The relation between an ethical mind, intentions and actions.

Assessment Methods

Participants are required to undertake preparatory reading and complete a pre-course assignment of 1,500 words. Although this does not count towards credit, it is seen as an important way of developing your ideas and is mandatory. The pre-course assignment is typically due in the first week of June.

Application

Most courses fill quickly so early registration is strongly recommended. If your preferred course is fully booked, you may wish to add yourself to the waiting list and the Programme Administrator will contact you should a place become available.

Accommodation

Residential options are outlined below.

• This includes accommodation and all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
• Non-residential option: Participants can take classes and have meals (lunch and dinner) at Rewley House, having arranged their own accommodation elsewhere.