AWAKE IN THE WORLD
Buddhist principles and practices are not just for the cushion. In the Awake in the World series, Reverend Susan Shannon leads a supportive and kind discussion on how we live the principles of Buddhism and bring dharma into our everyday lives.
COURSE ONE
The Four Immeasurables:
Keys to Cultivating a Kind Heart
Dates:
Sundays | October 26, November 2 & 9
Location:
Online via Zoom only
Time:
10 AM - 12 PM Pacific
Patrul Rinpoche holds the Four Brahma-Viharas as keys to obtaining the main source of Bodhicitta - “A Kind Heart.” These are also known as the Four Divine Abodes, The Four Immeasurables, or the Four Divine Emotions. They are core to Mahayana teachings, however are also found in early Vedic and Jain scriptures. The word Brahma literally means ‘highest’ or ‘superior.’ It is also the name given to the supreme god in Hinduism during the Buddha’s time. Vihara means ‘to dwell, ‘to live’ or ‘to abide.’
In this 3-class course, we will explore how we can experience these Four Divine Abodes in our daily lives. Practicing each one of these provides us with a different portal to expanding our compassion, joy, inner peace, and interconnectedness with all forms of life. We will integrate other Buddhist ideals and practices including method, and wisdom, and awakened body speech and mind, with the overall goal of realizing our own spiritual potential so that we can better serve our ailing world today.
Each session will include presentation and interaction with each other. There will be various suggested assignments as well.
Fees:
$120 (series fee)
$150 (series fee + support)
$90 (Sukhasiddhi Members)
The deadline to register is Friday, October 24 at 12 PM (Pacific).
**Please Note: This Awake in the World class series is included in the Dharma Training Program as part of the curriculum. If you are already enrolled in DTP, you do not need to register separately for this series. **Please Note: This Awake in the World class series is NOT included in the Bodhi Program. If you are enrolled in Bodhi and are interested in this series, you will need to register separately.COURSE ONE
Harvesting the Bounty:
Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas continued
Dates:
Sundays | November 16, 23, & 30
Location:
Online via Zoom only
Time:
10 AM - 12 PM Pacific
"Every day, check to what extent you are applying the teachings, how often you are managing to control your mind, and how many times you are falling under the power of negative emotions. Examining your own progress in this way will help you to decrease your clinging to the ordinary concerns of this life, and to increase your confidence in the teachings." -Dilgo Khyentse RinpocheAs we conclude our exploration of this rich text, we find ourselves right where we started. Our feet are on the same ground, but we will learn to walk differently, from here onward. Gyelsay Togmay Sangpo has given us all we need for the rest of this and our future lives. From this moment onward it is fully up to us to find guidance and sustenance from the teachings.
Over the next few weeks, we will stand still and look inward, radically. Each verse will challenge us while at the same time, free us to move with grace, with ease, with honesty and integrity. It is as if the house of us has been wired up with a new system, and now, we’re flipping the switch. Illumination happens. Light expands its reach. There is more capacity for healing, for serving.
We are in a season of harvest. Let’s all celebrate coming together to explore the day- to-day blessings of this rich text, this sublime nourishment that is never depleted.
No prior experience with the text is necessary. Any translations of this text are acceptable. If you do not have one, we suggest you download a copy from the generous Lotsawa House website.
Fees:
$120 (series fee)
$150 (series fee + support)
$90 (Sukhasiddhi Members)
The deadline to register is Friday, November 14 at 12 PM (Pacific).
**Please Note: This Awake in the World class series is included in the Bodhi Program as part of the curriculum. If you are already enrolled in Bodhi, you do not need to register separately for this series.
**Please Note: This Awake in the World class series is NOT included in the Dharma Training Program as part of the curriculum. If you are enrolled in DTP and are interested in this series, you will need to register separately.PLEASE NOTE:
For Those on Zoom
We request you be fully present with Zoom video on for classes and trainings. This is an opportunity for the lamas and teachers to connect with you. If this is not possible, please let the registrar or teacher know.
MEET THE TEACHER
Susan Shannon, M. Div. is a seeker, teacher, earth and animal steward, and devotee of the heart. She has worked in the fields of Emotional Literacy and Restorative Justice for over 20 years, incorporating over 45 years of Buddhist practice and study from the Tibetan tradition. She’s worked with various diverse populations all her life including inmates, Tibetan refugees, the homeless, the differently-abled, at-risk youth, and has served as the Buddhist Chaplain to the men in San Quentin State Prison and Death Row. She currently resides in the San Juan Islands where she writes, provides spiritual coaching and tends her land.