Nirvana and Freedom from Suffering (Foundations of Buddhism)

This hybrid (in-person & online) course presents the Third Noble Truth, Nirvana or Freedom from Suffering, and begins with an exploration of the Third Foundation of Mindfulness: Mindfulness of Effort.

Friday mornings, May 2-30
$185

Chôgyam Trungpa Rinpoche, in his explanation of the Buddha’s meaning, emphasizes the experience of cessation as it arises in meditation and actual life, rather than as an imagined goal to be achieved in the future. We will explore the experience of cessation as “the gap” that arises naturally in shamatha (“peacefully abiding”) meditation practice, especially with regards to Mindfulness of Effort.

We will look at how we can recognize the contrast between samsara (our cycle of suffering and dissatisfaction) and nirvana; and how vipashyana or meditative awareness allows us to cultivate, extend and rest in “the gap”. Finally, we will look at the ways the Truth of Cessation manifests at different levels of practice and the path.

The recommended readings for the course are drawn from The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma: The Path of Individual Liberation (Vol I) by Chögyam Trungpa, with selected optional readings from Mindfulness in Action by Chögyam Trungpa.

Click here for further details and registration.