Sustaining Compassion: Buddhism and the value of helping others (Online via Zoom)

with Kathleen Gregory

Friday May 22, 29 & June 5 and 12, 7pm to 8:30pm

 One of the touching images during the COVID-19 pandemic has been the applause for carers and health workers in Europe and the UK.  This collective expression of appreciation recognises the risk people face in discharging the duties of their jobs. It is well known that many people in the health and helping professions often suffer as a result of their work. Feeling overwhelmed, poor sleep, irritability, are just some of the symptoms of “compassion fatigue”. It seems timely to consider how we think about and consequently the value given to, the desire to be of help to others. Buddhism recognises the desire to help others is a precious quality to be valued, while Buddhist practices are orientated to developing our capacity to be of help. In this four-week course, we shall look at how Buddhism can help nourish and sustain us in the work of helping others.

Although there will be a focus on professional health and mental health practice, the course is open to anyone interested in exploring the topic relevant to their own life.

 Kathleen Gregory PhD has been a long-time student of Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche IX. She has taught in the area of Buddhism and psychotherapy for many years at E-Vam Institute and affiliated international centres. She has recently returned from living in the US where she served as Dean of the Graduate School of Counselling and Psychology at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado.