IN THE TEMPLE: Wednesdays 7 – 8:30pm | October 15- December 17 (No Class October 29)
Becoming a Friend of the World
Learn a unique mindfulness technique for transforming your daily actions into greater peace and fulfillment for yourself and for a better world for others.
While part of the spiritual path involves the time we spend in sitting meditation, an enormous part of our spiritual life involves the time we spend off the meditation cushion in our daily activities. To embrace both these parts of our life, Buddha taught a wonderful meditative yoga of action called “The Six Perfections”. This is an elegant method to transform the activities we engage in and the things we do into the path to enlightenment.
The beauty of the practice of the six perfections is twofold. By applying them to any normal activity, like having a conversation, picking up our kids from school, or dealing with a daily inconvenience such as being stuck in traffic, we are able to transform that situation into simultaneously:
1) An activity that brings great benefit and happiness to others
2) An activity that causes us to grow and evolve spiritually.
This magical technique becomes the interface through which our good heart of compassion interacts with and benefits society, and in doing so draws us closer to enlightenment.
During this series we will explore, in a lighthearted yet insightful manner, how we can transform our lives and bring real healing to our broken and suffering world.
Weekly Topics
October 15: First things first - make the decision
October 22: Creating a world based on generosity, not greed
November 5: Basing our moral compass in compassion
November 12: Accepting difficulties and cherishing our enemies
November 19: Our spiritual practice comes from inspiration not obligation
November 26: Learning to use focus, attention, and concentration
December 3: Wisdom is the doorway to freedom
December 17: The yoga of benefiting others
*No class October 8 due to International Fall Festival at International Kadampa Retreat Center Arizona October 3-9. For more information, and attend this very special event in person or online, please visit: https://kadampafestivals.org/fall
*No Class October 29 due to Melodious Drum Puja
Teacher: Gen Samten Kelsang
Resident Teacher of KMC New York: One of Venerable Geshe-la’s senior disciples, Gen Samten Kelsang oversees the spiritual program at KMC New York, and teaches throughout the US and around the world. Having engaged in a three-year meditation retreat, he is renowned for the clarity of his teachings, ability to help students improve their practice, and skill in leading practitioners to profound meditative insights.
SHARE A MEAL WITH US! Enjoy a delicious meal with our residential community, including ordained Buddhist monks and nuns, and other class attendees and enjoy meaningful conversations with like-minded people. Our self-serve, vegetarian meals are lovingly cooked by volunteers, and include a main dish, side dish and green salad. We use fresh and local products as much as possible and vegan/wheat-free options are available.
Class: 7 – 8:30pm | $10 | Free for Members
Dinner: 6 – 6:45pm | $10
Pre-Booked Class & Dinner: $16 (must register at least 24 hours in advance)
