Meditation and Teachings Series:
Towards The Psychology of Buddhism

Meditation & Emotions:
Cultivating Positive Mental States &
Self-Transformation

The evening of the 16th at 7:30pm & 17th August 9am – 4:30pm

Join us for a weekend course to practice meditation and listen to teachings by Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche IX. This course delves into the relationship between meditation, emotions, and self-transformation.

Relating to things in terms of our positive emotions in a proper way adds depth to our own being. 

So therefore we are able to weather all kinds of upheavals, 

all kinds of disturbances in a proper fashion. 

So instead of being easily provoked, 

one is able to respond to things with a sense of dignity, strength, insight, wisdom—things of that kind. 

So in Buddhism at least, that is valued. And when one is responding that way, one responds not in a totally dispassionate manner is many people assume…

– Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche IX

Join us as we delve into the profundity of the Abhidharma teachings, which provide a detailed map of the mind and its functions. These teachings challenge us to view our emotional and mental states as interconnected elements of our whole character, and combined with meditation, offer a perspective that fosters genuine self-transformation.

What you will Explore …

Talk 1:

• Why do emotions arise from a Buddhist perspective?
• What are the primary causes of emotions and the reasons that “occasion the experience” of an emotion?
• What are the Positive Mental states in Buddhism and how can understanding them help your life?
• How emotions and mental states are inseparable from our beliefs, attitudes and opinions that we are habituated too.
• How we can change our beliefs, attitudes and opinions if we want to give rise to our positive mental states.

Talk 2: 

• Discusses how to value emotions properly, challenging Western assumptions. In Buddhism, thoughts and emotions are interconnected, suggesting that clear thinking can enhance emotional experiences.
• How our deluded mind is fragmented and how the different mental states can work together in harmony or work against each other to cause tension.
• The Buddhist perspective of how to change in relation to our “whole character” not just in terms of a superficial understanding of our mind.
• How Buddhism views emotions as more than “private things” relating not to just to the symptom of emotions, but also looking at their supporting context and effect.
• How the ego is understood.
• How everything should be view in terms of “dharmas” (the mental and physical elements).

Talk 3:

• The Buddhist view on “virtues and vices” and an “ethical way of being”, and how they relate to our emotional states, psychological states, character, and how we behave.
• How in Buddhism, the “good” thing to do is what brings well-being to oneself & others.
• How the Mahayana approach of understanding dependent origination and emptiness helps us to understand how things are and how they appear on the physical, mental and emotional level, so that we can have a clearer understanding of reality and reduce our emotional afflictions.
• How meditation practices in Mahayana Buddhism, such as “loving-kindness” meditation is based on working with the dharmas (the mental & physical elements).

About this Meditation & Teachings Quarterly Series (Towards the Psychology of Buddhism):

The Meditation Teachings Quarterly Series is an immersive opportunity to:
– Engage in extensive meditation practice;
– While having the opportunity to learn from the profound teachings that Buddhism has to offer.

Each of the series sessions is a complete teachinvg; you are welcome to join at any point.

SAVE THE DATES!
Save the dates so that you won’t miss out on the rest of the series!

• 16 – 17 August
•  7 December

Timetable

Event details (You will have the option to buy tickets for the full event, or in sessions)
Session 1 (Talk 1): Friday 16 August 7:30 pm – 9 pm
Session 2 (Talk 2): Saturday 17 August 9 am – 12:45 pm
Session 3 (Talk 3): Saturday 17 August 2 pm – 4:30 pm

Pricing 
Full event: $45
1 x session: $17
Discount applies! (see below for details)
*Commences on Friday evening and continues through Saturday. You can attend the sessions online or in-person

** Full and associate members please note this course is a part of your membership benefits. Donations are more than welcome.