"If you want to know about meditation and begin a practice with a good
foundation - take Adam's class."
"I thought Adam's class was great. I laughed a lot. He's got a memory sharp
as a tack and he can respond to any question with a great teaching tale of
one master or another. His lectures broadened my understanding of
Buddhism, both in terms of its schools, types of meditation, and its
philosophical grounding. I also loved the experiential part of the class -
the actual meditation. We were introduced to new techniques every day and
got a taste of the rich diversity of practices. It really made me appreciate
the wisdom of Buddhist meditation. These folks have been investigating the
mind for more than a millennium, their techniques and advice are rock solid.
If you want to know about meditation and begin a practice with a good
foundation - take Adam's class. He's a living example of what a good
practice can do for you."
--
Kathy Anne W., Graduate Student in Philosophy
"An absolutely perfect foundation for
anyone interested in learning what meditation and Buddhism are about."
"Adam's eight week course on meditation is an absolutely perfect foundation for
anyone interested in learning what meditation and Buddhism are about. If you
already have an idea of what they're about, and would like a kick start to a
regular sitting practice, this is the place to find it. Each session is a
comfortable blend of guided meditation, lectures, and Triscuit breaks. Adam
delivers his lectures in a clear way with a soothing voice and wonderful
deadpan humor that keeps it spicy, never boring. He has an amazingly broad
knowledge of his subject and is sharp at answering questions, often by
quoting various masters. I enjoyed experimenting with the many various
techniques of meditation that Adam introduced us to. I am completely
motivated and inspired to continue on this spiritual path that I have
discovered through Adam's guidance. Adam, thank you for touching my life
in such a profound way and for having just the right spark to fire me
onto this spiritual path."
-- Deborah T., Graphic Design Consultant
"I would recommend this course to anyone."
"This course was a phenomenal introduction into the world of Buddhist meditation.
I learned not only the history of Buddhism, I also learned the practical
application of Buddhist principals and the basic techniques for establishing an
ongoing meditation practice in my life. I would recommend this course to anyone
for their own personal discovery of the value and benefits of Buddhist Meditation
as expressed and taught by Adam Coutts."
--
Jerry C., Personal Coach and Growth Course Leader
"If you want to learn from the best, learn from Adam."
"Adam is a wonderful teacher: he not only has the knowledge, he has the life
experience, and he ties them both together with wisdom and ease. He brings
both light-heartedness and serious spirituality to his classes, and the insight
and openness gained in his presence is incomparable. Perhaps I am biased,
as he has become a dear friend of mine over the last couple of years, however
I can say for sure that if you want to learn from the best, learn from Adam.
"
-- Mel Nelson, filmmaker and actress
"I've yet to take a
self-help or spiritually course that taught me as much as Adam's course in
meditation did."
"I have taken Adam's class, and am considering taking it again. Adam has a
vast amount of information about meditation, religion, and self-help at
his fingertips. He clearly has extensive experience with mediation, and
he is able to share this and meet students at the level that they are. He
understands and has thought about this information extensively. He has
the ability to bring various sources together in a clear and concise
manner that I have yet to see matched. In fact, I've yet to take a
self-help or spiritually course that taught me as much as Adam's course in
meditation did. I found his class to be one most rewarding and bang for
my buck as far as course work in San Francisco. I knew Adam prior to
taking this course; I had no idea how powerful his course would be, based
just on knowing him in my men's circle and socially. This is a unique
opportunity and one that should not be missed if you are working on
understanding yourself, other people, and spirituality."
--
Sat Sarbat K., Accountant
"A supportive environment in which students create their own meaning and
decisions regarding practice."
"Adam's Intro to Meditation course is an excellent class in which to learn
the fundamentals to meditation. The class offers both concrete information
relevant to understanding and developing a practice of meditating, as well
as experientially learning various types of meditation. Adam is very
knowledgeable about the philosophy as well as practice of meditation. He is
able to make the information accessible to students at a variety of levels
in their experience and knowledge about meditation as well as offer a
supportive environment in which students create their own meaning and
decisions regarding practice."
-- Shira L., Psychotherapist
"Meditation that I learned from Adam remains a refuge
and calming force in my life."
"It's been two and a half years since I took Adam's meditation class in San
Francisco, and I still treasure the skills and practice I gained from him
and from the course. Meditation that I learned from Adam remains a refuge
and calming force in my life, and I am so thankful to have had the
opportunity to take the course with him."
--
Jocelyn L., Labor and Childbirth Assistant
"He's really funny."
"Adam's class brought me from occasional dabblings to a regular practice,
and gave me, in just the eight weeks, the breadth and depth I needed to begin
to feel grounded in frequent meditation. And he's really funny, which
helps!"
-- Tim J., Software Engineer
"Whatever level you are at, Adam has something to offer."
"I have known Adam for many years now; he is one of the most knowledgeable
Buddhist teachers I have worked with. I appreciate his creative lessons
and meditations as well as the balance of content and practice he brings
to his class. Whatever level you are at, Adam has something to offer.
Because of his vast experience in many different modalities of personal
growth, Adam can often draw comparisons and contrasts with meditation and
other world views. Adam is completely dedicated to his practice, and is a
man with a deep commitment to his friends and family. He is also very funny
and brings humor to his teaching. I highly recommend Adam Coutts as a
meditation teacher."
--
Kevin O'M., Personal Coach and Growth Course Leader
"He shares ... what came up for him during his seventeen years of
meditation. I found that extremely helpful."
"I didn't really get to the core of meditation reading just books. And so
I took an eight-week course with Adam. It's an introduction to different
types of meditations, and it's fun. He's very experienced in meditation
matters and the fact that he's a psychologist by education comes in handy.
He especially shares a lot of common experiences he had with other
meditation newbies, and what came up for him during his seventeen years of
meditation. I found that extremely helpful."
-- Thomas G., Software Business Strategist
"He is an extremely natural teacher."
"I want to thank thank thank Adam for having this class and sharing all of
this info, opening, and good shit with us. He is an extremely natural teacher.
Examples, metaphors, quotes, and in general speaking from the heart and
experience. It's a pleasure to have been so lucky to found his class on craigslist."
--
Kate H.
"Adam
was such an inspiration and a catalyst in introducing and first getting me interested
in meditation!"
"I have just gotten out of volunteering for a retreat at the Vipassana center here in
Nepal, after I completed sitting two ten-day retreats. That makes nearly a full month
of meditation. Vipassana is such a big part of my life right now, and Adam
was such an inspiration and a catalyst in introducing and first getting me interested
in meditation!"
-- Pei Ning W., Software Industry Product Manager
"I left our classes feeling in touch with a deep,
blissful peace."
"Adam's meditation class was a big influence
on the start of my spiritual path and practices. He taught me the basics of how
to meditate in his class, and I left our classes feeling in touch with a deep,
blissful peace. His style of teaching, and his friendship, are of the patient,
humorous, honest and quick-witted variety. I am excited for him to put all of his
brilliant thoughts and ideas into print some day, and for when he becomes a
full-time psycho-spiritual personal growth leader."
--
Anitra K., Financial Industry Executive
"I have felt
deeper peace than I have ever felt before."
"Let me take this opportunity to tell you how much Adam's class and teaching has meant
to me. When I came to Adam's class, I was only a few weeks past having been diagnosed
with clinical depression. I think that I suffered from that condition for more than a
decade, and by the time I finally broke down and sought professional help, I was
willing to try anything -- even psychopharmaceuticals, which I've never had a very
high opinion of at all -- because my pain was so acute, and my suicidal thoughts so
real and unending. The unceasing noise -- much of it self-hating -- that had always
been in my head was turned up to eleven while I was on those drugs. But soon I realized
that was no solution, either. And suddenly my sitting practice began to take on a whole
new dimension. With a new vocabulary (raga, dvesha, moha) that helped me name and
understand my old demons in a new way, and a method for sitting in stillness and
watching, feeling, and noting them, I began to see for the first time where all that
unhappiness had been coming from for so long. Not too much later, it became clear
that meditation practice was perhaps sufficient spiritual medicine to make the
prescription chemicals unnecessary. So I took myself off them, much to my shrink's
horror, and continued with psychotherapy and my sitting practice. I'm pleased to
say that the psychotherapy will probably come to an end soon, but I don't
anticipate any end to my sitting. On my cushion, I have learned about myself, my
place in the world, and the ultimate interconnectedness of all things. I have felt
deeper peace than I have ever felt before. I feel I am growing to be more accepting,
more mindful, and more loving. In Buddhism I've discovered a life philosophy that
feels right, feels true, feels natural, feels in harmony with everything I experience
in the universe, and brings me actual, undeniable peace. I feel that with Zen as a
new foundation of sorts in my life, I really am ready to start over and find out
what the universe has in store for me."
-- Matthew N., Computer Technology Magazine Columnist
"I think Adam
is a great teacher, and ... [he] makes it very accessible."
"I am happy and grateful to have been a part of the meditation class. I think Adam
is a great teacher, and brings his own unique spin on things. He seems to know his
stuff, and also makes it very accessible. I hope that he will continue teaching classes."
--
Lilli M., Restaurant Hostess and Dance Instructor
"Adam Coutts' class was the beginning of my practice, and I have been meditating
ever since."
"Adam Coutts' class was the beginning of my practice, and I have been meditating
ever since. Adam's course covers a lot of ground, and introduced me to a
smorgasbord of various Shamatha (concentration) and Vipassana (mindfulness)
meditations. It was great to be introduced to such a variety so that I could
pick the practices that suited me best. I would recommend this class to anyone."
-- Morgan A., Web Designer
"Adam brings a unique mix of humor, light-heartness and
passion to make learning meditation fun and engaging."
"Adam creates a class that is both practical and informative. By combining teachings
of Buddhist philosophy with actual sitting practice, students can get a great deal
out of the course. As with any other learning, it is much easier to learn in a
group rather than on your own. If you are new to meditation, or experienced, Adam's
course can provide exactly the tool you may be looking for to deepen or begin a
meditation practice. Also, Adam brings a unique mix of humor, light-heartness and
passion to make learning meditation fun and engaging."
--
Amy E., Personal Care Worker and Live Poet
"I'm grateful for Adam and the class."
"I'm grateful for Adam and the class. It has provided a very valuable foundation
for what I intend to be a lifetime of practice and growing awareness and an
increasingly open heart."
-- Robyn S., Psychotherapist
"The growth I've made as a person is amazing ... I learned so much."
"The growth I've made as a person is amazing. I owe it so much to my Buddhist practice.
I appreciate Adam. He is a great teacher; I learned so much through him."
--
Mary Ann M., Elementary School Teacher
"Fabulous stories that inspired me."
"For me, Adam's course has proven to be valuable and well worth my attendance.
Most of what Adam said was new to me. He gave out a lot of information on Buddhist
history and thought and told some fabulous stories that inspired me. We did many
different meditations and had a chance to discuss them afterwards. It was nice to
hear how it went for others and to get feedback from Adam. I recommend this course!
I know many of us procrastinate - I didn't start meditating regularly right
after this class. However, a few months later, when I was ready to start a
practice, I was so thankful that I had the grounding that Adam's class offers to
support me. Yep! You will be glad you took it."
-- Shelley C., Traditional Chinese Medicine Student
"He's very real and down to earth."
"If you are interested in a really good intro class, check out this one. Adam
covers the whole spectrum of techniques, and helps you find one that works for
you. He's very real and down to earth. The class is very helpful for
beginners. And, even though I've been around the spiritual block, I still
learned a lot."
--
Jon L., User Experience Consultant
"The information was just what I was looking for."
"I attended Adam's meditation class earlier this year. The information was just what
I was looking for. I wanted to understand the difference between Zen and other
Buddhist types of meditation. In Adam's class, I received more information than I
thought was possible and the practice of the many varied ways to meditate.
Understanding the basics of meditation is life changing, and the practice of
meditation provides a path to get to know and love our many selves."
-- Cindy G., High School Guidance Counselor
"His clear commitment to meditation comes
through in his teaching and motivates students."
"Adam introduces the basics of meditation in a way that is accessible to anyone
but does not minimize its depth and uses. His clear commitment to meditation comes
through in his teaching and motivates students to begin sitting."
--
David S., Graduate Student in International Studies
"I really enjoyed Adam's class, and it provided me with exactly what I had hoped
for."
"I really enjoyed Adam's class, and it provided me with exactly what I had hoped
for: a good introduction to various methods and schools of Buddhist meditation, and I left
having learned both practical advice and philosophical understanding while gaining
grounded experience. I loved it. I liked having two sittings per class, and I
think having that time sitting together is important both to really get a sense of
what it's like to meditate with other people, and to have the opportunity to share
our experiences afterwards. I liked the open-ended style of teaching, with lots
of quotes and intriguing ideas put forth, and not a concrete dogmatic agenda. I
very much intend to keep meditation a part of my life."
-- Rena D., Writer
"Both a deep understanding of various meditation techniques
and opportunities to practice them."
"I highly recommend Adam's Introduction Meditation class to anyone
interested in a both a deep understanding of various meditation techniques
and opportunities to practice them over a two-month period. Adam is mindful
of the varying skill levels of each of his students (from years of practice
to those who sit on a zafu for the first time) and he is masterful at
keeping the class lively and engaging."
--
Aaron P., Political Consultant and Growth Course Leader