About this Event
Connection Despite Distance consists of two 6-week courses that will guide us to the most present, compassionate, and connected parts of ourselves. Through inner exploration and engaging with community, we will learn accessible, time-tested Tibetan Buddhist practices that will allow us to awaken into deeper peace, joy, compassion and equanimity in our lives.
We will meet for six consecutive 90-minute weekly sessions starting with an orientation and ending with a closing ceremony. Each session will be facilitated by Namchak students (not Lama Tsomo).
We will meet May 6 – June 10 at 5:30pm MDT. Click HERE to view in your time zone.
Because registration is limited, we ask that you look closely at the dates and times and ensure you can commit before registering.
No previous experience is required. As we continue navigating these times of uncertainty, our weekly sessions will offer the support of these practices and community to help guide us through with more ease, resilience and self-compassion!
Zoom link will be provided upon registration. 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. If the program costs present a financial barrier please contact [email protected].
Course testimonial:
“Connecting with others who were, just like me, wanting to learn more about the Dharma, develop a daily practice, and be a part of something special has made this tumultuous and overly uncertain year a lot more enjoyable and gratifying. I loved the weekly conversations, the learning about Tibetan Buddhism and meditation methods, and the camaraderie that grew in spite of and because of our differences. I hold the greatest gratitude for Namchak for hosting these events and I’m looking forward to being a part of many more.” – Laura
Part 1: Connection Despite Distance Outline
● Week 1: Orientation—Pathway Overview & Intention Sharing
● Week 2: Motivation and Meditation—Deepening Intention & Exploring Shamata
● Week 3: Tonglen—A Compassion Practice of Giving & Receiving
● Week 4: Broadening Tonglen & Simplified Round Robin
● Week 5: Exploring Our Work in the World
● Week 6: Meaning Making & Closing Ceremony
Weekly Session Outline
● Open with a few breaths and moments of silence.
● Review group agreements together.
● Check-in: What’s happening for you this week, on the cushion, off the cushion, and the relationship between the two?
● Hold discussion with questions and activities.
● Go through a practice together using provided resources and guided meditations.
● Reflect on meditations in journals, pairs, and in the group.
● Revisit how everyone feels after the session is complete.
● Close with dedication.
Our Group Agreements:
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 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.” Perfection is not expected although personal responsibility always is.
- Be mindful of and take personal 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.
- 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 with the group at that time.