Practicing compassion in the face of pain

April 20th—May 11th (2020)

Date details +
    Price:
  • $110 Program Price
  • $125 Patron Price
  • Enter another amount you wish to pay.

We are in a global period of intense suffering; already-existing difficulties have been immeasurably increased in the face of the coronavirus. In times of great suffering, the Buddhist path offers us time-tested practices for meeting pain with compassion. These meditative practices allow us to extend softness and care to ourselves, and give us an immediate way to respond with an open heart to the suffering around us.

This class focuses on teachings from the 10th century master Atisha called the "Lojong Slogans." Pithy and relevant, these teachings help us take difficulties and problems as our path, as things we can work with directly rather than trying to evade. We'll practice mindfulness meditation as well as "Tonglen," a breathing practice for working with suffering that is extremely useful for us if we may be feeling isolated and helpless.

Grounded in particular in Pema Chodron's approach to compassion, we follow her aspiration. As she says: "For those who feel prepared to practice sitting meditation and tonglen meditation and to work with the lojong slogans in an ongoing way, doing so may be the beginning of learning what it really means to love. This is a method for allowing a lot of space, so that people can relax and open. It is designed especially for people who find themselves living in times of darkness. May it be of benefit."

The course will include meditation, contemplation, study and discussion. It will take place online, using the program Zoom. As always, we operate on a pay-what-you-can policy; you are very welcome to attend the program without offering money, but please register and we will send you the link.

Recommended books:

Training The Mind and Cultivating Loving-kindness by Chögyam Trungpa

Start Where You Are, A Guide to Compassionate Living by Pema Chödron

Register now

Programs without a price are free. For those programs with a price listed, please do not let price be an obstacle. Visit our generosity policy page.

When available as an option, your generosity in offering the patron price helps cover the costs for others who are not able to pay the full price. Any amount offered above the Program Price is considered a charitable donation to the centre, and will be included in a tax receipt issued by email in February of the following year.

For programs that have a register button, it is helpful for us if you can indicate your intention to attend by registering ahead of time. In order to prevent duplicate entries in the Shambhala Database, all registrations are reviewed before you will receive a confirmation email.

Our Refund Policy:  For convenience you can pay online using a credit card via PayPal. If we cancel the program for any reason, we will give you a full refund. We understand that sometimes after you have pre-paid, you might be unable to attend.  We will be happy to refund your payment if you request it at least 24 hours before the program starts.  Due to the difference in PayPal charges for purchases and refunds, we charge a nominal amount of $5 for a refund.