Abhidharma Basics

“Abhidharma” or “a higher knowing of what is” - is a body of profound, technically precise Buddhist teachings exploring the human mind’s wisdom and confusion. For many of us, exploring such teachings may seem daunting or inaccessible. Yet, familiarizing ourselves with some Abhidharma basics is more user friendly than may first meet the eye and applying such basics to our everyday life is central to the Buddhist path. In these five sessions we will: - Explore some core Buddhist principles such as: five skandhas, eight consciousnesses, eight-fold path, three poisons and others. - Learn and practice shamatha vipassana meditation and examine how this simple practice illuminates many of the Abhidharmic principles - Consider how some Tibetan and Indian commentaries illuminate the multilayered wisdom contained in the Abhidharma teachings - Discuss how such ancient teachings can help us engage our modern-day circumstances with skill, wisdom, and compassion Dates: Tues, Jan 17, 2023 What are the Abhidharma teachings and why should we care? Wed, Jan 18, 2023 Meditation Tues, Jan 24, 2023 Unraveling confused mind through shamatha–vipassana meditation Wed, Jan. 25, 2023 Meditation Tues, Jan 31, 2023 The five “heaps”, karma and working with emotions Wed, Feb. 1, 2023 Meditation Tues, Feb 7, 2023 Discovering Buddha nature and stepping beyond duality Wed, Feb. 8, 2023 Meditation Tues, Feb 14, 2023 Bringing the Abhidharma alive in everyday Wed, Feb. 15, 2023 Meditation