“The Earth right now is calling on us all to become bodhisattvas.” – David Loy
We are living at a time when the world’s suffering is breaking hearts everywhere. For those of us called to walk the path of the bodhisattva, we are being asked what we can do to be of most benefit with our lives and help create a just, sustainable and compassionate world. Where do we begin, how do we not burn out, and how can we act in ways that are aligned with our inner practices of awakening?
In this four-week course, we will explore the concept of Engaged Buddhism and how we can take meaningful action in the world to bring about healing and liberation. We will look at frameworks for how we can effectively engage in social change, explore Buddhist approaches for taking action as a practice, and identify specific ways to take action using our unique gifts and in Sangha with others.
We will meet Monday evenings for four 90-minute weekly sessions. Each session will be facilitated by social change leader and Namchak practitioner Joshua Gorman. Activities will include group conversation, journaling, self-reflection, small group dialogue, and integration practices.
Meeting Times
- Monday, January 9, 5:30 – 7pm MST (click HERE to view in your timezone)
- Monday, January 16, 5:30 – 7pm MST (click HERE to view in your timezone)
- Monday, January 23, 5:30 – 7pm MST (click HERE to view in your timezone)
- Monday, January 30, 5:30 – 7pm MST (click HERE to view in your timezone)
- Optional: Monday, February 6, 5:30pm – 7pm MST (click HERE to view in your timezone)
Weekly Schedule:
- Week 1- Introduction to Engaged Buddhism
- Week 2 – Frameworks for Social Change
- Week 3 – Finding Your Gifts & Call to Action
- Week 4 – The Practice of Taking Action in the World
- Week 5 (optional) – Getting into Action, Together! For those that are already part of a Learning Circle, and to support the formation of new Learning Circles.
Who this course is for: This course is for anyone who wants to connect their inner practice with outer action. This workshop series brings a special emphasis to the World strand in Namchak’s Personal, Community & World framework.
No previous meditation or social change experience is required. This course is a great next step for someone who has attended a Namchak Meditation and Community Course, and for members of Namchak’s Learning Circles and Compassion in Action chapters.
All sessions will be recorded and shared only with participants. We ask that participants attend at least three of the four sessions.
Zoom Login Info
The Zoom link will be provided upon registration and a reminder email will be sent out each week with the login info. Please note: Confirmation emails from Eventbrite often end up in spam/promotions tab. Please check there if you do not see the confirmation email with the Zoom info.
Tuition: Our intention is to make this workshop financially accessible to all, so we offer a tiered fee structure. Please choose whichever level works best for you.
If program costs present a financial barrier or you are interested in a stipend to offset the cost of childcare, please contact [email protected].
A NOTE for Learning Circles: If you’re part of a Namchak Learning Circle or Compassion in Action chapter, we invite you to consider participating in this series with other Learning Circle members. Along with developing together a shared foundation on Engaged Buddhism, one of our intentions is for Learning Circles to follow this series with ways of “taking action.”
About Joshua Gorman
Joshua Gorman is a writer, speaker, change-maker, community builder, and a leading voice championing the paradigm-shifting role of the Millennial Generation. He is the founder of Generation Waking Up, an organization that ignites young people to bring forth a thriving, just, and sustainable world. Through speaking, workshops, and leadership trainings, Joshua has the opportunity to connect with thousands of young people each year.
About Namchak
Namchak brings ancient meditation practices to modern life through online learning, in-person retreats, and a vibrant community guided by Tibetan masters and Western teachers. We support students on every step of the path, from those exploring mindfulness for the first time to more experienced students looking to deepen their practice. We offer a variety of learning programs, including in-person teaching, small group learning, online courses, and soon-to-be-established residential retreats at the Namchak Retreat Ranch in western Montana.
Our Community Commitments
In order to co-create a brave, inclusive, anti-oppressive and learning centered space, in our community we each agree to:
- Be inclusive of diverse opinions and backgrounds through treating each other with respect and appreciation.
- Commit to words and actions of non-harm within our group interactions.
- Learn by immersing in these practices and giving them a real test drive.
- Hold personal sharing in confidence.
- Be present, practice mindful listening, and do not offer unsolicited advice.
- Allow and invite for equal sharing of voices as well as the right to pass.
- Take care not to speak for others in the group.
- Assume good intent and come from a place of curiosity and care.
- Come as we are with permission to be “raggedy.”
- Be mindful of and take personal and collective responsibility for our own biases including the use of language that may “other,” “cancel,” or dehumanize any person, groups of people, and/or their experiences.
- Perfection is not expected although personal and collective responsibility always is. Use the “Ouch/Oops” tool to address hurtful comments and language in the moment and to allow space for repair.*
We aspire for this Sangha to be a place of refuge
*Ouch/Oops: This is a tool for addressing hurtful comments/language in the moment. If someone says something hurtful, anyone can bring attention to it in the moment by saying “Ouch” and then explaining what was hurtful. If it is a word choice issue, be sure to give the first speaker the chance to rephrase and try again (remember, it’s okay to be raggedy, and we are all assuming good intent!) When someone says something that comes out wrong or hurts someone else, they should start with “Oops” – first, acknowledge the impact of their words, and then try again. This can also be done outside of the event if someone feels an “Ouch,” but does not feel comfortable sharing it.