2018 Spring Book Discussion
Five Weeks: Thursday evenings; April 12 – May 24, 2018
7:45 – 9:00 PM
THE FIVE INVITATIONS:
DISCOVERING WHAT DEATH CAN TEACH US ABOUT LIVING FULLY
Life and death are a package deal. They cannot be pulled apart and we cannot truly live unless we are aware of death. The Five Invitations is an exhilarating meditation on the meaning of life and how maintaining an ever-present consciousness of death can bring us closer to our truest selves. As a renowned teacher of compassionate caregiving and the cofounder of the Zen Hospice Project, Frank Ostaseski has sat on the precipice of death with more than a thousand people. In The Five Invitations, he distills the lessons gleaned over the course of his career, offering an evocative and stirring guide that points to a radical path to transformation.
“Frank Ostaseski has brought together wisdom and compassion in his life and in his long years of work with the dying. We will all be enriched, inspired , and edified by his extraordinary book on how facing death can enrich our life. “
**********************************************************
2018 Winter Book Discussion
Thursday evenings; Jan. 18 – Mar. 8, 2018
Emptiness: A Practical Guide for Meditators by Guy Armstrong
It may seem odd for emptiness to serve as a central idea in Buddhist thought and practice. In fact, emptiness points to something quite different than “nothingness” or “vacancy.” And by developing a richer understanding of this complex topic, we can experience freedom as we live consciously in the world. Guy Armstrong has been a leading figure and beloved teacher of insight meditation for decades. In this book, he makes difficult Buddhist topics easy to understand, weaving together Theravada and Mahayana teachings on emptiness to show how we can liberate our minds and manifest compassion in our lives.
“Armstrong’s book is an insightful exploration of one of the most confusing Buddhist teachings; inexperienced and experienced practitioners alike will find it very rewarding and thought-provoking.” (Publishers Weekly)
“Emptiness is a brilliant and practical introduction to the practice and attainment of liberation. Encapsulating Guy Armstrong’s decades of dedicated Buddhist practice and study, Emptiness presents profound Buddhist teachings and describes ways practitioners can experience them for themselves. This is an important foundation for anyone interested in the meditation practices of Buddhism.” (Gil Fronsdal, author of The Buddha before Buddhism)
Copies of Emptiness may be ordered at Open Books in Yellow Springs or from the publisher at wisdompubs.org
January 18: Introduction and Chapters 1&2
January 25: Chapters 3&4
February 1: Chapters 5&6
February 8: Chapters 7,8&9
February 15: Chapters 10,11&12
February 22: Chapters 13,14&15
March 1: Chapters 16,17&18
March 8: Chapters 19,20&21
For more information, call Linda at 572-9077.
**************************************************
2017 Fall Book Discussion
Thursday nights: Sept. 21 – Nov. 9 from 7:45-9:00 PM
Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright
September 21: A Note to Readers, Chapters 1&2, pp xi-26
September 28: Chapter 3&4, pp 27-57
October 5: Chapters 5&6, pp 58-90
October 12: Chapters 7&8, pp 91-120
October 19: Chapters 9&10, pp 121-152
October 26: Chapters 11&12, pp 153-192
November 2: Chapters 13&14, pp 193-224
November 9: Chapters 15&16, pp 225-266
The Dharma Center will have two copies of the book available for short term loan. Copies may also be ordered at Open Books or Epic Books in Yellow Springs.
***************************************************************
March 9 – May 4, 2017
The Intelligent Heart
Compassion arises naturally when one comes to perceive the lack of solid distinction between self and other. The Buddhist practice known as tonglen—in which one consciously exchanges self for other—is a skillful method for getting to that truthful perception. In this, his commentary on the renowned Tibetan lojong (mind training) text the Seven Points of Mind Training, Dzigar Kongtrul reveals tonglen to be the true heart and essence of all mind-training practices. He shows how to train the mind in a way that infuses every moment of life with uncontrived kindness toward all.
“Before starting a revolution, you must first have a resistance movement. And for that, you need concrete, intelligent reasons for resisting. It won’t help your resistance to rely on unclear, emotional, abstract reasoning. When the reasons for resistance or a revolution are not clear and precise, the movement can be easily infiltrated and bought by the enemy, as has happened many times in human history.” Dzigar Kongtrul in, The Intelligent Heart.
“The Intelligent Heart shines a clear light on the method for exchanging self for other, developing compassion, and freeing one’s heart. In addition, it’s fun to read, with helpful illustrations and a keen sense of humor.” —Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Happiness
The following are the pages that will be discussed at each meeting.
March 9, Forward, Introduction and Point One: pp 11-22
March 16, Point Two: pp 23-58
March 23, Point Three: pp 59-83
March 30, No Meeting
April 6, Point Four: pp 85-103
April 13, Point Five: pp 105-115
April 20, Point Six: pp 117-143
April 27, Point Seven, part one: pp 145-157
May 4, Point Seven, part two: pp 157-168 and Conclusion: pp 169-170
Copies of this book may be ordered at Open Books in Yellow Springs or from the publisher at shambhala.com
For More information call 937-767-1034
************************************************************************************
The Dharma Center is collaborating with the Arthur Morgan Institute for Community Solutions to offer
Eco-Sattva Training
An Audio Course for aspiring Eco-Sattvas
Thursdays, 7:45 – 9:00PM, Jan. 12 – Feb. 16, 2017
How will we act on climate disruption with wisdom, courage and compassion?
What does it mean to express a Buddhist response to climate change? What does our wisdom tradition and our love for this life call us to do? How can we respond with wisdom, compassion and courage?
The term “EcoSattva” is a blend of “eco” or “ecology” with “Boddhisattva,” an enlightened being wholly dedicated to the freedom and well-being of others. We hope to support aspiring EcoSattvas in a diverse and powerful body of response, tailored to their aspirations and abilities and grounded in the demands of their local situations. Specifically, the course will endeavor to
- Root action on climate in Dharma practice
- Develop Sangha by connecting EcoSattvas with each other and outside partners
- Inspire and inform “appropriate response”
For more information on the course teachers and content go here.
************************************************************
Group begins Thursday Sept. 15
Making Friends With Yourself
Discussion, Readings, and Video teachings with Pema Chodron
Thursday Evenings 7:45 – 9:00pm
Sept. 15 ~ 22 ~ 29, Oct. 6 ~ 13 ~ 20, Nov. 3~ 10~17
Among video topics to be discussed are:
Understanding Ignorance: Where Suffering Begins
Samsara is a Cycle: the Twelve Nidanas
Nowness Gives Rise to Bodhichitta: Connecting to Sacred World
ALL READINGS WILL BE PROVIDED ELECTRONICALLY
For more information: vajrayana@ysdharma.org
Contact Us
Follow Us On Facebook
Map to Center
Comments are closed.