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The Wisdom Seat hosted the Prajna Moon Retreat March 18-19 for practice and discussion

Our Wisdom Seat Author Series continued with Khentrul Lodro Thaye Rinpoche’s The Power of Mind.

For the first The Wisdom Seat Author Series offerings, we studied Anam Thubten's book Into the Haunted Ground. 63 members of our community joined, and Anam Thubten joined the group on the fourth evening to discuss the book. This author series was hosted by Michael Carroll, Matt Dirodio, and Geoff Matis. Those wishing to see the recorded discussions can join the recorded online program here . Anam Thubten’s new book invites us to explore the “haunted grounds” of our minds whe

We were honored to host Khentrul Lodro Thaye Rinpoche over the extended Labor Day weekend of 2022.

In early July, 2022, we held an all-day retreat and celebration for our new meditation teachers . The retreat was organized by Al & Corina. Participants discussed the role of a meditation teacher, and their personal view of how to hold that role. Matt DiRodio and Michael Carroll offered instructions as senior teachers.

Exploring the path of meditation, with Kaya Fruchtman. During this program we explored the practices of mindfulness-awareness meditation, body scanning, stress reduction and socialize, while enjoying a spring day together. Corina Benner led yoga practice. "I loved the Spring Teen Retreat! It was a very enjoyable and relaxing experience that I strongly recommend to others. Kaya was a fantastic meditation teacher and helped guide us through traditional and walking meditation. A

A panel discussion on traveling the Buddhist Path Photo by Rachel Homer WHEN :   Sept. 20, 2021, 7pm – 8:30pm EDT WHERE:   Zoom Link Will Be Sent After Registering TEACHERS:   Susan Piver, David Nichtern, Michael Carroll HOSTED BY:    Al San Valentin, and Bill Moriarty "As long as a person has a cynical attitude, everything presented by the Buddha develops organically, automatically. It is workable." Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche The new book “Cynicism and Magic” explor

With Kaya Fruchtman Saturday July 31, 2021 11:00am – 4:00pm During this program we will explore the practices of mindfulness-awareness meditation, body scanning and stress reduction and spend some time socializing and enjoying a summer day together.

Dear Sangha & Friends At the request of several practitioners, we will be offering Refuge & Bodhisattva Vows at an in-person event this August 21, 2021. These vows will be offered by Michael Carroll who has been authorized by Judy Lief to impart these vows in the tradition and lineage of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. These vows are taken as part of traveling the Buddhist path and are usually taken separately over a period of a few years. Taking Refuge essentially is how we make

Living a Fearless and Gentle Life: The Slogans of a Shambhala Warrior with Michael Carroll April 7th—May 12th, 2021 Offered by The Durham Shambhala Center

Lending A Hand: Avalokitesvara And The Art Of Mind Protection​ A 5 week immersive program with Michael Carroll co-sponsored by the Open Heart Project April 12 @ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET Additional Event Dates: April 19, 26; May 3, 10, 2021

This was a unique online program studying Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior from October, 2020 thru February 2021. The success of this offering during the COVID pandemic is what caused The Wisdom Seat to significantly grow our online community.

Women, Wisdom and The Buddhist Path The awakening of feminine energy in modern times Feminine wisdom or prajnaparamita in Sanskrit is considered the very foundation of all the teachings and practice lineages of the Buddha. You might say that such feminine wisdom is the very heart of awakening, offering us insight into our mind, reality and our relationship to the world around us. But how can the prajnaparamita teachings help us engage the challenges of the modern world – espe

Resting in the True Nature of Mind: Essential Meditation Instructions Commentary on a text by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche In 2019, we were deeply honored to host Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche for a special teaching event in the Swarthmore Friends Meeting house. This rare visit from one of Tibetan Buddhism's most respected teachers included a public talk, reception, and a tour of historic Philadelphia. Essential Meditation Instructions Rinpoche presented a profound teaching titled " Res

Intelligent Heart Devotion in the Buddhist Path October 5, 2019 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm Whittier Room at Swarthmore Quaker Meeting. The Tibetan Buddhist Vajrayana path emphasizes devotion where the relationship between the student & the teacher grows throughout the entirety of the path cultivating compassion, wisdom and ultimately enlightenment. Yet, such devotion is well beyond blind faith or celebrity worship where the student and teacher share a deep appreciation of lineage and

We were honored Changling Rinpoche joined us in our new shrine room for three days of instruction. August 16, 17, & 18, 2019 Becoming familiar with primordial purity A fundamental meditative discipline of the Mahamudra-Dzogchen tradition is Shiné Lhathong – Calm abiding – clear seeing. Through this style of meditation, the practitioner loosens the grip of neurotic clinging, recognizes the nature of mind and gradually becomes familiar with the inherent wakefulness of being a f

Ground, Path & Fruition of Mahamudra An introduction to the vajra assembly teachings of Vidyadhara, Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche With Judy Lief and Derek Kolleeny April 5-7, 2019 Wallingford, Pa Designed for new ngöndro practitioners in the lineage of Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche, this gathering followed in the tradition started in 1976 when the Vidyadhara introduced a series of programs restricted to ngöndro practitioners and tantrikas, called “Vajra Assemblies.” The Vidyadhara’s

The wisdom of meditation in everyday life. We were honored to Anam Thubten for a public talk on April 1, 2019. How can a regular meditation practice reveal our lives as inherently joyful, compassionate and sacred? Join Anam Thubten for a session of meditation and a discussion on how such a simple act can offer profound wisdom in the midst of our modem day lives.

We were pleased to host Phakchok Rinpoche and Erric Solomon for several days in November, 2018. 11/3/2018 Philadelphia Ethical Society, Philadelphia, PA We presented a talk and book signing at the Philadelphia Ethical Society for their book, Radically Happy . We also helped with their events at two local universities.

We were honored to host Anam Thubten for a talk entitled “Three Aspects of Meditation.” Philadelphia Ethical Society in Philadelphia, PA