5 Thursdays, Oct 23 – Nov 20
4-5:30pm Pacific
New York Insight, Online

Can meditation and mindfulness support us in our emotional life? Absolutely. The Buddha’s teaching is frequently understood as a kind of psychology, or science of mind, and the core of the Dhamma is a set of teachings on how to work with the strong habitual emotions and energies that lead to harmful action. The result of practice is not an abstract metaphysical wisdom but a profound happiness and peace that is called “the sure heart’s release.” This release naturally includes a healing of old wounds and a restoration of healthy relating with ourselves and others. 

In this 5-week course we’ll look at the Buddha’s teachings on emotion and healing, exploring how to bring mindfulness, insight, and skillful response to powerful states like love, fear, anger, and grief. This is the fourth in a series of practice and study courses aimed to build a strong foundation for Theravāda Buddhist training. You do not have to have taken the other courses in the series to take this one, and beginners are welcome. 

We will read original texts from the Pāli Canon as the source of our meditation instructions, and weave in supporting material from contemporary neuroscience and psychology. Each week we will meditate together, read passages from the discourses, and support each other in building or deepening a daily meditation practice. You will come away with deepened skill in Buddhist mindfulness, and a framework for bringing the discernment of spiritual inquiry into every part of your life.