The Map of Meditation II

Nine Stages to Shamata

Continue through Stages 5–7 of Master Kamalashila’s nine-stage map of meditation and learn how to move from effortful concentration toward greater clarity, ease, and meditative joy.

Course Details

Dates: August 10–September 3, 2026
Schedule: Mondays and Thursdays
Time: 5:00–6:30 am Arizona time
Format: Live online course
Teachers: Earle Birney and Nicole Flack
Duration: 8 live classes over 4 weeks

Each class includes clear instruction and a guided meditation, helping you understand the teachings and experience the techniques directly.

Product Description

What it is and what is included in the program

The Map of Meditation II is the continuation of The Map of Meditation I (formerly called Inner Fundamentals I). Students will be guided through the middle stages of meditation, Stages 5 through 7 of Master Kamalashila's nine-stage path of meditation.

Building on the foundation of Stages 1 to 4, this course focuses on recognizing and overcoming subtle dullness and subtle distraction, refining the quality of attention itself, and developing the mental pliancy and joy that arise from sustained, balanced effort.

As practice moves into these middle stages, meditation begins to transform from an effortful practice into a more refined and continuous experience. With consistent practice, the mind becomes both stable and clear. This course lays the groundwork for the deeper absorption and effortlessness needed for insight into the nature of reality.

Students are guided through meditation in every class. Through this, they learn the key skills and techniques at each stage, and become familiar with what each state of mind feels like, allowing them to progress more rapidly in their personal practice.

What You Will Learn

In this course, you will learn how to:

• Recognize and overcome subtle dullness and subtle distraction
• Strengthen mindfulness, clarity, and introspective awareness
• Maintain more continuous and exclusive attention
• Work skillfully with the joy and energy that arise in deeper meditation
• Progress from effortful focus toward greater ease and mental pliancy
• Understand how shamata concentration supports vipashyana insight
• Diagnose where you are in your practice and apply the right technique

What Is Included

Your registration includes:

• 8 live online classes
• A guided meditation in every class
• Coursework
• Class recordings
• Lifetime replay access for as long as the course remains available

Who This Course Is For

This course is suitable for:

• Students who completed The Map of Meditation I (Formerly called: Inner Fundamentals I)
• Meditators with a working understanding of Stages 1–4
• Practitioners whose meditation feels stable but flat, dull, or stuck
• Students looking for a clear and systematic approach to deeper meditation
• Anyone interested in meditative joy, clarity, and effortless concentration

Prerequisites: There are no formal prerequisites. However, familiarity with Stages 1–4 is strongly recommended.

What Happens After Registration

After completing your registration:

1. You will receive a confirmation email.
2. The course will appear in your YSI student dashboard.
3. You will be invited to join the students' chat.
4. Zoom access, the class schedule, course materials, and recordings will be available through your dashboard and students' chat.
5. Recordings will be uploaded after each class. Recordings are generally added within 48 hours after each class.

Please check your spam or promotions folder if you do not receive your confirmation email.

Support contact

Questions about registration or course access?
Contact: [email protected]