Wednesdays, 7:00 – 8:00pm

NoHo Buddhist Meditation Class

Being a Bodhisattva for the Holidays

$10 per class, free for supporting members

Training in the Six Perfections—The Way of the Bodhisattva

Whatever holiday traditions we observe, if any, the final weeks of each year can be challenging. We may be facing year-end work demands, disappointment in the that’s passed or anxiety about the year to come, difficult family dynamics, loneliness, or even the stress of travel and celebrations that are supposed to be fun but leave us feeling unfulfilled or even tapped-out.

It seems like we could all use some tools for navigating the season with more actual comfort and joy.

While we can’t do much to change the conditions around seemingly external sources of stress, we can change how we approach this time of year—or, rather, who we are we enter this season.

When we identify ourselves as a Bodhisattva—one who is going for enlightenment out of a compassionate wish to benefit all livings beings—we can do so much more than merely cope with the holidays. We can transform every challenge into a meaningful spiritual opportunity and head into the new year with a fresh sense of possibility.

December 4: Beyond Gifting, Giving from the Heart
December 11: Practicing Kindness and Patient Acceptance
December 18: Cultivating Joyful Energy, Focus, and Wisdom
December 25: No Class
January 1: No Class

NEXT SERIES

Transforming Anger and Hurt Into Spiritual Power, with Guest Teacher, Sam Brusca

Why do we respond to feelings of hurt and rejection by becoming angry? Clearly we think that anger will protect us. However, in truth it does the opposite. It locks us even deeper into our experience of being overwhelmed, makes us
feel worse about ourselves, and leads us to say and do things that exacerbate the problem and that we will later regret.

In this series, through talks, guided meditations and discussions, we will explore far more successful strategies for dealing with hurt and disappointment. We will discover how rather than getting swept up in our anger we can transform that impulse into a flexible, peaceful and clear-minded response. Such a skillful response not only brings resolution and creates harmony, it also enables us to transcend our feelings of hurt within we so often feel stuck.

Jan 8: Anger at Circumstance is Anger at Karma
Jan 15: Transforming Self-hatred into True Self-love
Jan 22: The Power of Love
Jan 29: The Wisdom of Self-Acceptance

DETAILS

Please note: The entrance to the Sheen Center is on Elizabeth Street
Our general program classes include Dharma teachings along with guided meditations
These classes are suitable for both beginners and more advanced meditation practitioners
General meditation classes are given as a series, but can also be taken individually
No special clothing is required
No pre-registration is necessary
Chairs are supplied
Everyone welcome!