Emptiness is not Nothingness: Urban Retreat in Buddhist Philosophy
Details
The historical Buddha attained enlightenment, finding, after a long search, the way to end suffering and achieve true happiness. From him emanated two strains of teaching, which we call the vast practice lineage, for which compassion is the central tool, and the wisdom lineage, for which the key is understanding emptiness. But what does that mean, and how do we apply it in our lives? When we talk about "emptiness," we don't mean the nihilism of thinking that nothing exists and so nothing matters, but we do mean that our usual way of understanding reality is wrong, and that we suffer because we cling fiercely to a substantial "self" that we must always defend and protect. In the end, wisdom and compassion are like the two wings of a bird, and we cannot find happiness without both.
Join us to explore what "empty of self" does, and doesn't, mean, and how understanding it helps us live in a lighter, more compassionate way.
- In person or online
- Saturday, May 2 (12:30-5:30) and Sunday, May 3 (9:30-5:30)
- Center Space, 1918 Union Avenue, Chattanooga
- $70 before April 15, $85 thereafter
- Scholarships available on request
Note this is an urban retreat with no lodging. Snacks and drinks will be provided, but participants should bring Sunday lunch if desired.
For more information and registration: https://bit.ly/3Qv17dO