This program has two components:
Component one explores the potential of sangha, the community of practitioners who support each other’s progress on the Path. More broadly we will reflect on the role of relationships (work, family, friendships) in our lives to provide valuable–and sometimes challenging–opportunities to see and transform our habits. In this way, relationships become vehicles for transforming our mind and heart, improving our ability to engage all of life with greater equanimity and joy. In this program we will also consider the role of loving-kindness and compassion in the formation of skillful relationships and in the purification of our own mind.
Component two delves deeply into the question, what does it mean to live in accordance with the dharma? This stage in the program will offer opportunities to focus on incorporating what we have learned through The Heart of Refuge (as well as how we have learned) with the aim of setting well-considered intentions for furthering one’s relationship to the Dharma beyond the program. Using journaling, dyads, small groups, and teacher-led discussion, we will carefully and systematically reflect on our own practice throughout three months. As part of the final program each student will have the opportunity to reexamine the traditional model of taking refuge in the three jewels in light of their own experience Both individually, and together as a community, we will support each other in establishing supportive guidelines for continuing to live and practice in a way that is both personally meaningful and aligned with the highest goals of Buddhist practice.
