Unfortunately this class has been cancelled.

We will explore the art and common symbolism of some of the most important images formally known as “Thangkas” and Mandalas in Buddhism. A basic understanding of the tradition of spiritual self-transformation embodied by these icons of Tibetan Buddhism will add to your understanding of the concepts discussed in this course but is not a requirement. Explore the bold colors, strange creatures, and exquisitely beautiful images used on the path to enlightenment. Continue reading →

The Lojong Practice consists of mind training techniques organized around seven points that contain fifty-nine pithy slogans. The teachings are designed to engender compassion, wisdom and improved meditation techniques so that we may awaken our hearts and become Bodhisattvas. Uniquely they teach us how to utilize problems and difficulties to obtain these very qualities. Tonglen is the associated meditation practice and it assists in training the mind to relate compassionately with what we prefer to push away and learn to give away and share that which we hold most dear. Continue reading →

Chronic illness is like all of life’s challenges that suddenly and persistently impinge on what has been our usual day to day functioning: we are no longer the same person we considered our self to be previously. A new obstacle whether we feel too poorly to get out of bed, have a new limp or swagger, become responsible unexpectedly for the well being of another human, loose the ability to express our self with the same grandeur, or can no longer drive—all are as limiting as we allow them to be. The biggest problem is that it is incredibly hard not to take the situation personally and thus add to the difficulty of adapting to our or our loved one’s changed situation/condition. Discussion will encompass all these issues as well as learning how to begin bringing obstacles to our spiritual paths so we can live a satisfying life. Continue reading →