CPD Weekend: Buddhist Foundations of Secular Mindfulness
7:00pm 13 April 2018 - 3:30pm 15 April 2018
Cost: £0.00
Venue: Samye Ling
COURSE CANCELLED
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The course tutors will be Vin Harris and Choden.
This course is for those people who are practicing and/or teaching secular mindfulness and would like to know more about the Buddhist sources of their mindfulness and compassion practices. Even though mindfulness is emerging as a secular training with an increasingly robust evidence base we all know that it comes from Buddhism, so knowing something of the Buddhist sources can be greatly enriching. We will identify a number of key themes that lie at the root of secular practice, and explore the Buddhist roots of each:
Experiential Focus – The approach to mindfulness in the secular tradition is rooted in our own individual experience. Through paying attention to our mind in a moment by moment way we discover our own unique way of relating to ourselves and coming to terms with challenges and obstacles. We will contrast this with the Buddhist approach to mindfulness which is value based – it is a way of remembering to pay attention when negative states of mind arise so that we can apply the Buddhist teachings and methods. We will see how this ethics based approach can build on the secular approach.
Acceptance – This principle lies at the heart of our mindfulness approach. In our mindfulness and compassion training we proceed from the position that we don’t need to fix ourselves or each other. In a way we are adopting the view of Mahayana Buddhism that we all have Buddha nature and as such we are fundamentally perfect. Exploring the rationale behind this perspective will give us more confidence when encountering difficult situations and the oft-quoted statement that “nothing is wrong, nothing needs fixing” will then carry more heartfelt conviction.
Resting and Non-Doing – This principle lies at the heart of the Settling, Grounding, Resting and Support (SGRS) practice approach. Once again we will show how the principle of Buddha Nature lies at the root of this principle. What we come to rest in is something that is inherently whole and well within us, otherwise there is no basis for coming to rest.
Undercurrent & Observer – this is a key model in the MBLC approach. What lies at the heart of this model is noticing that thoughts arise involuntarily in the undercurrent, and then shifting attention to the observer, and learning not to compulsively engage with them. This capacity to respond rather than react is at the heart of the doctrine of karma in Buddhism, and so understanding karma will add a deeper level of understanding to this model.
Intention, Motivation & Dedication – Intention and motivation are very important for mindfulness practice and frame the practice of Settling, Grounding, Resting and Support. At the end of the practice we share the benefit with others as a way of concluding. We will show how this relates to the Buddhist notions of Refuge and Bodhicitta, and to what is called Dedication of Merit at the end. They are a way of stepping into a bigger picture that is not just about solidifying a feeling of me and what I want. We will explore whether these axiomatic Buddhist principles can enrich secular practice. Both Vin and Choden have been Buddhist practitioners for a long time, and have also been involved in developing the MBLC mindfulness training programme. They will be trying to impart a feel of the Buddhist approach as a way of giving people access to a deeper and richer perspective that will impart vitality and freshness to the practice of Mindfulness.
The course will take place over one weekend and will involve teachings, guided practices, sharing and discussion.
The weekend begins at 7pm (evening meal at 6pm) on the Friday evening, between 8am and 8pm on Saturday and between 8am and 3.30pm on Sunday.
The course fee is £150.00 for the weekend.
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