April 15 - May 20
All Sessions Online
Wednesdays 5:30-6:30pm PT
You sit down to meditate… but mostly think.
You’re consistent, but unsure if you’re progressing.
You start strong, then lose momentum.
You’ve read books — but still don’t feel steady.
Or perhaps you’re just beginning and feel overwhelmed by the many approaches available.
If any of this feels familiar, this journey is for you.
Over six weeks, we’ll explore the foundations of meditation through short teachings, guided practice, and reflection. The course is grounded in over a decade of personal practice and two key sources: Je Tsongkhapa’s Lamrim Chenmo (1402), which offers timeless guidance on posture, obstacles, and conditions for meditation, and John Yate’' The Mind Illuminated (2015), which provides a clear, stage-by-stage map of how attention develops.
Meditation isn’t just about getting better at sitting still. At its heart, it’s about building a relationship with your own mind — one rooted in curiosity and care rather than frustration. Over time, something tender begins to grow. You start to know yourself differently. And from that knowing, everything shifts: how you meet difficulty, how you show up for others, how you live.
By the end of this series, you’ll have more than understanding — you’ll have a felt sense of progress, a clear map forward, and a practice you can build on for life.
“Javier’s presence as a whole is so loving and kind. I automatically feel safe when he is teaching. He made it so approachable.”
What to Expect Each Week
Week 1 - Preparing the ground: intention & habit
We begin by exploring why we meditate and how to create the conditions for success. You’ll learn the importance of intention so you can approach meditation with purpose. We’ll also look at simple ways to overcome procrastination and start building a habit that feels natural and rewarding.
You’ll leave with: clarity of purpose, a rhythm that feels sustainable, and confidence in beginning a daily habit.
Week 2 – Posture & presence: the body as foundation
Your body is the ground of your meditation practice. Drawing from the classical Eight-Part Meditation Posture you’ll get practical guidance on how to sit comfortably and steadily, with the right balance of relaxation and alertness. You’ll discover how even small adjustments in posture can calm the mind and sustain focus.
You’ll leave with: a supportive meditation posture and a felt sense of grounded presence.
Week 3 – Supportive conditions: creating inner & outer balance
Meditation flourishes under the right conditions. This week we explore Six Conditions for Meditation, examining both outer supports (like space, time, and community) and inner supports (like ethical alignment, simplicity, and contentment). You’ll identify the conditions in your own life that help or hinder your practice.
You’ll leave with: practical clarity about how to align your life so meditation deepens naturally.
Week 4 – Meeting the obstacles: distraction & dullness
Every meditator encounters wandering thoughts, restlessness, or drowsiness. This week we name these challenges clearly, using the classic list of the Five Problems of Meditation and the Eight Corrections. You’ll learn simple, effective tools to rebalance your mind in the moment so you can keep going without judgment or frustration.
You’ll leave with: resilience and skillful ways to navigate distraction, agitation, and tiredness during meditation.
Week 5 – Cultivating stability: deeper concentration
With the basics in place, we turn to how meditation actually develops over time. Using the traditional map of the Nine Stages of Mental Training, you’ll learn how focus strengthens step by step—like training a wild elephant to become steady and reliable. When you understand the map, you can identify where you are, apply the right effort, and avoid unnecessary discouragement. You’ll begin to see your practice as developmental rather than “good” or “bad.”
You’ll leave with: confidence in your trajectory and clarity about what to work on next.
Week 6 – Integration & next steps: meditation as lifelong path
In our final session, we weave everything together. You’ll see how calm abiding (shamatha) becomes the foundation for deeper wisdom and compassion, and how your practice can grow beyond this course. Together we’ll reflect on what you’ve learned, celebrate your progress, and leave with a clear sense of how to continue.
You’ll leave with: inspiration, clarity, and a sustainable vision for continuing meditation in your daily life.
“You calm me down with your graceful presence.”
Your Teacher
Javier García Sánchez is an artist and educator weaving ancient wisdom into the fabric of contemporary life.
Rooted in over a decade of meditation practice, he explores how awareness can shape perception, movement, and creativity. Meditation has been a profound anchor in his life, cultivating presence, resilience, and a deeper way of seeing. He teaches to help others access the infinite potential of their minds, drawing on his own studies, retreats, and artistic sensibilities. His students value his gentle directness, poetic imagery, and the seamless integration of art into his meditations.
Javier has trained extensively in meditation, yoga, and breathwork, and regularly undertakes month-long silent retreats to deepen his practice. He is currently completing the 18 Foundational Buddhist Courses through the Asian Classic Institute—a rigorous study paralleling the core curriculum of a Geshe (Doctor of Theology) in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries.
He is also a certified coach, an aikidō practitioner, and a student of the Japanese tea ceremony. He studied Art & Design at Central Saint Martins, International Commerce at the University of Salamanca, and Management at Gothenburg University. His consulting work has helped large organizations navigate vision and strategy, while his art has been commissioned by publications such as The New Yorker and exhibited internationally.
“Such a great combination of softness and firmness.”
What it Costs
$299 for the entire 6-week course
WITHIN Meditation Members get $50 off the cost of enrollment! Contact sit@withinmeditation.com for the promo code or for more information about becoming a member.
Early Bird Special
Register by April 3rd to receive:
A 30-minute one-on-one coaching session with Javier!
We want you to feel great about jumping in. If you register for the series and decide after your first session that it isn’t for you, we’ll give you a full refund.
Because this class builds from week to week, you must request the refund by 11:59pm PT on the day prior to the second session for us to honor it . If you register with the Early Bird Special, upon issuing your refund we will cancel your one-on-one session with Javier or you may choose to purchase it.
“Very skillful meditation, extremely beautiful and poetic. I felt really inspired.”
Questions? Just email us at sit@withinmeditation.com.
FAQs for Building a Lifelong Practice
How much does it cost?
For $299, you’ll be enrolled in all six online sessions of Building A Lifelong Practice. Scholarships are available - please email us at sit@withinmeditation.com if cost is a barrier for you.
How do the online sessions work?
All sessions are held via Zoom, so they’re super easy to join with your laptop, your tablet or your phone. You’ll receive a link to join once you complete your registration.
Are the online sessions recorded?
Yes, we’ll send you the recording the day after each class. You can listen to them as often as you like until May 31, 2026.
When will the group meet?
The group meets once a week for 1 hour minutes (5:30-6:30pm PT) for six weeks on Wednesdays (April 15 - May 20).
What happens in each session?
In each session, you can expect Javier to offer insight, information and practices - check out the schedule above for more details.
Is there any guided meditation in the sessions?
There is a brief guided meditation in each session. If you’re looking for more substantial guided meditation, check out our online classes instead.
Who leads the sessions?
Javier García Sánchez will lead the sessions.
Do I need any special clothes or equipment?
None! One of our favorite things about meditation is that you don't need anything special to practice it. To join the online classes you’ll just need access to the internet, and a phone, laptop or tablet.
Can I start and stop during the schedule?
If you keep up the momentum throughout the six weeks, you’ll get the most out of it. However, if you have to miss a session you can check out the recording to see what you missed and catch up.
What happens if I sign up, and then realize it's not right for me? Do you give refunds?
We want you to feel great about jumping in. If you enroll in the Circle and decide after your first session that it isn’t for you, we’ll give you a full refund. Because we also want you to take your participation in the Circle seriously, you must request the refund by 11:59pm PT on the day before the second session for us to honor it. If you register with the Early Bird Special, upon issuing your refund we will cancel your one-on-one coaching session with Javier, or you can choose to purchase it.
I have other questions!
Great! Just email us at sit@withinmeditation.com and we'll answer right away.