Riverdale Buddhist Meditation Class

Stabilizing Our Experience of Refuge to Find Lasting Happiness by Understanding the Wisdom of the Initial Scope Meditations

In the Initial Scope Meditations, we come to understand that by virtue of having taken this precious human rebirth we are primed to ride the experience all the way to enlightenment! When we stabilize our experience of refuge in Buddha, Dharma (Buddha’s teachings) and Sangha (all spiritual practitioners past and present) we create a powerful foundational understanding that grounds us in reality from which we can then learn the fundamentals of the Initial Scope meditations and how to apply their wisdom to our daily life. Geshe-la said in Joyful Path ‘that when we understand the realizations of the Initial Scope Meditations we are protected from suffering. They are objects of refuge and are to be regarded as Dharma Jewels because they resemble the actual jewels of superior beings.’ With these understandings comes a noticeable increase in our daily experience of true happiness as we travel the path toward lasting inner peace and enlightenment. It is only then will we be of permanent benefit to all living beings. This, is our great good fortune!

February 6: Connecting to the Power of Our Buddha Nature
February 13: The Precious Nature of Our Human Life
February 20: Exploring the Rarity and Meaningful Nature of Our Precious Human Life
February 27: Understanding Death in Relation to Our Human Life
March 6: Understanding Death in Relation to Our Human Life (Part 2)
March 13: How Understanding Lower Realms Enhances Our Compassion
March 20: Gathering Up Riches to Provide for Future Lives: Understanding Objects of Refuge
March 27: Gaining Conviction in the Laws of Karma to Enhance Our Daily Lives
April 3: Skillfully Using the Meditation Break: Learning to Transform Adverse Conditions Using the Wisdom of the Initial Scope Meditations

NEXT SERIES

Connecting to Peace and Refuge Through the Power of Meditation

In today’s fast paced and quite frankly, seemingly overwhelming world, finding a sense of inner peace and refuge can feel out of reach. In this 2 week course we will look at how to skillfully apply Buddha’s practical teachings for calming the mind and developing a greater experience of peace. Through these teaching we will access and then learn to respond from a peaceful heart regardless of the outer circumstances. Our potential for limitless peace is natural to our mind. Meditation is an experience of saying yes to whatever arises with confidence and joy! When we apply these teachings to our meditation break we gain personal experience of their power to transform our lives.

“When the turbulence of distracting thoughts subsides and our mind becomes still, a deep happiness and contentment naturally arises from within.” Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, How to Transform Your Life

April 10: Understanding the Power of Meditation
April 17: Relying on Refuge to Experience a Peaceful World
April 24: No Class- U.S. Festival

DETAILS

Classes include Dharma teachings and guided meditations
They are suitable for both beginners and more advanced practitioners
Each class is self-contained and is also presented as part of a series over 5-6 weeks. Drop into any class you like
No special clothing is required
No pre-registration is necessary
Chairs are supplied
Everyone welcome!