Details and Classes

The course may be purchased as a whole, all 8 sessions, or as individual sessions.
Each class runs for from 11 AM ET to 1 PM ET and includes an introduction, guided meditation, teaching, Q & R, and concluding remarks 

Entire Course ~ Sessions 1-8 (see dates below)
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September 9, 2023 ~ Session #1 ~ Assume Your Buddha Seat: The Art and Practice of Presencing
Let’s explore the dynamic art of cultivating awareness and the applied practice of alert presence of mind, being present to ourselves and others. We can learn to assume our Buddha seat, simply sustaining present awakefulness and relaxing into the bigger picture, the View. Together we will consider the three aspects of Presencing: Recollecting, Seeing, Resting at ease – and practice Presencing through guided meditation and pithy instructions. Attention! At Ease!
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October 14, 2023 ~ Session #2 ~ How to Be a Bodhisattva: The Ten Paramitas from Generosity to Primordial Wisdom
The ten transformative practices of the Bodhisattva Path, the path of the engaged peaceful ‘warrior’ as taught by Śāntideva in his 8th century Mahayana classic, unveils Buddha’s way of being a light in the world. Each of the ten transcendental virtues or practices can be a way ‘in’ to awakefulness. With generosity as the first of the ten, Śāntideva points to the importance of the reciprocal nature of being with others in the world. And with primordial wisdom as number ten, he elucidates the spacious View that includes everything and everyone in our path and practice. All ten paramitas or virtues will be explored along with guided meditation pointing the way to engaging with a paramita in daily meditation.
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Green is today’s Buddha. Green Buddha loves Mother Earth in all moods and manifestations. Emerald Buddha Nature cares deeply, unconditionally, embracing all in the path of the Natural Great Perfection. As we begin to see through the twin eyes of the Great Green Buddha, we come to recognize the importance of caring, loving kindness, self-compassion, altruism and beyond. Nothing is insignificant, much like Padmasambhava taught: “My view as high as the sky, my actions as meticulous as finely ground barley flour.” We will look through the lens of Green BuddhaVision in a guided meditation of unconditional care.
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December 9, 2023 ~ Session #4 ~ Practicing with My Teachers: Nyoshul Khenpo, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Kalu Rinpoche, 16th Karmapa
Lama Surya studied and practiced with great spiritual Masters during his decades as a young man in India and Nepal. He graciously brings them to us through his teachings and the practices he shares with us. Nyoshul Khenpo, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Kalu Rinpoche and the 16th Karmapa – the Special Ks - are ever-alive as Teachers who have influenced and pointed the way for Lama Surya and each of us as we engage in Dharma practice. Come and Listen to Lama’s stories about life with these profound Teachers, his devotional practice and service, and join us in a guided meditation, sharing deepest appreciation for the gifts of the lineage, the living wisdom teachings alive in our world today.
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January 20, 2024 ~ Session #5 ~ Upeksha: Resting in the Great Equanimity
Equanimity is one of the four faces of Buddha’s Love, the ‘Four Boundless’. Practicing equanimity is the practice of resting in the View, beyond attraction and aversion, at home and ease on our Buddha ‘seat’. Who do you think you’re not?! Equanimity is the place from which the other three arms, loving kindness, compassion, and empathic joy manifest. Equanimity inspires loving kindness and furthers patience. Empathic joy restores equanimity. As we look into the qualities of equanimity, we also discern what it is not – its near enemies - not complacence, indifference, sluggishness nor laziness. We will engage in guided meditation in the practice of equanimity and explore the cultivation of this profound aspect of Buddha’s Love. “Beyond action and inaction the sublime Dharma is accomplished.” ~Patrul Rinpoche
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Mudita, or empathic joy, is one of the four arms of Buddha’s Love. Boundless, sympathetic joy in the benefits of others. Cultivating Mudita enhances our ability to see and appreciate the fullness of our interbeing with everyone and everything in everyday world. As Buddha taught, each facet of his all-embracing love is without boundaries and sacred joy is the birthright of each and all of us. Let’s explore empathic joy as it stirs us to equanimity and is nourished by compassion. We will engage in guided meditation on sacred joy, awe and related mysteries. “Since things are not what they seem to be, beyond good and bad, liking and disliking, adopting or rejecting, one might as well burst out laughing.” ~Longchenpa
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Our very being is one of reciprocity – tonglen – the sending and receiving of breath, of energy, or prana. When I see myself in others and others in myself, who can I harm, who exploit? If we want peace, we become peaceful; if we value kindness, we offer kindness. Recognizing the wise, transcendental generosity of sending and receiving is the practice of Dzogchen. Whatever arises, that is it. Not two, but rather natural ebb and flow of the Natural Great Perfection. Tonglen is the ready responsiveness of our ever already complete Buddha Nature. Let’s look deeper into our illusion of separateness, into the nature of heart and mind, body and soul and practice simultaneously resting in the View with guided meditation in nondual awareness, the beingness of sending and receiving.
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As with a crystal, our Buddha Nature can manifest and be illumined and diffract different colors of ‘light’ as the Three Kayas of Buddha: the Buddha Body (nirmanakaya), the Energy Body (sambhogakaya) and the Truth Dimension (Dharmakaya). Not separate things, the kayas are intermingled aspects of awakefulness of Buddha Mind, of the true nature of Being. We will explore each of these three kayas and practice a guided meditation including all facets, or ways of Seeing and Being. Emaho! Ah, the awesome wonder of this momentary, magical display.
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