Sangha Nights in May, June and July – the Heart of Buddhism
Practicing Dharma and Meditation in Community, Wednesdays, 7pm to 9pm, in person
For the Dharma to truly change us, we need to engage the heart, not just the head. As Sangharakshita has said, “The central problem of the spiritual life is to find emotional equivalents for our intellectual understanding.”
We may understand the Dharma intellectually – impermanence, compassion, emptiness – but unless those truths are felt deeply in the heart, unless they begin to reshape our emotional responses, they don’t really transform us.
Continuing our theme of “The Buddha,” over the next few months we will explore the Buddha’s teachings – and his embodiment – of the Brahma Viharas: loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity.
Far from being sentimental or irrational, these are courageous and powerful practices. They challenge our fixed views and habitual reactions, even as they protect and strengthen the open heart.
Other topics include Tonglen, Bodhichitta, Forgiveness, and Gratitude practices, as well as Care for the World and other ways of engaging the heart such as Art and Creativity.
Full Program tba
May 6: Introduction – the Metta Sutta – Shunyamala
May 13: Visiting Teacher – Dhammarati
May 20: Appreciative Awareness – Padmatara
May 27: Open to Compassion
Everyone is welcome to Sangha Night