Dharma in a time of polycrisis: practices for inner and outer transformation

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Description

In this workshop we will explore the most fundamental teaching of the Buddha – the Four Noble Truths – and its significance in facing a world in trouble. We will examine how these teachings address the multilevel aspects of our being: our individual lives, our interpersonal relationships, and the society we live in. Furthermore, we will discuss how the Dharma can support us in understanding and responding to the current polycrisis, including how our culture shapes the ideas we have about ourselves, life and the world.

Questions we will explore include:

• What does the Dharma have to offer, and what are its limitations, when dealing with the contemporary polycrisis?
• How can I sit and meditate while a crisis unfolds around us?
• What does compassion look like when facing complex collective challenges?
• How do 'being', wisdom and compassion help build the resilience we need in these times?

The main benefit of this workshop series is to deeply access and empower our heart-led impulse for inner and outer liberation.

This series of two workshops are specially intended for young people – both those new to the Dharma and experienced practitioners.

• Workshop 1: Deepening the Inner Dharma
• Workshop 2: Embodying a Dharma Engaged with the World

Dharma Teachers: Ramiro Ortega & Boaz Feldman, assisted by Jamie Bristow

Event Details

Format:   

A workshop over two consecutive Sunday evenings from 3 to 5 pm UK time. 

Suitability:

Open to all - new and experienced practitioners alike

Cost:

  • The fee does not contribute towards the livelihood of our teachers. You will be invited to offer teacher dana at the end of the course.
  • If you are unable to afford the rate please let us know. We will make sure that no one is turned away because of lack of funds.

Teachers:

Boaz Feldman first practiced meditation as a Buddhist monk in the tradition of Northern Thailand 15 years ago. Heis a Dharma teacher graduate from the Bodhi College with Martine and Stephen Batchelor as his mentors. Boaz has completed over 7 years of silent retreats with teachers such as Sayadaw U Tejaniya (Burma), Joseph Goldstein (USA), Rob Burbea (UK) and Patricia & Charles Genoud (Switzerland). He also trained as a clinical psychologist and founded NeuroSystemics, a Swiss-based charity which trains individuals, groups and communities in clinical somatics and trauma-sensitive approaches globally. Having completed his fellowship at Harvard University, he is currently researching the role of mindful compassion for civic action as a PhD thesis at Cambridge University.

 

Ramiro Ortega began practising Buddhism in 2005 in the Soto Zen tradition. Since moving to the UK in 2008, he has spent long periods at Gaia House, both as a retreatant and as a resident coordinator.  

He trained to teach mindfulness at the University of Bangor in 2015 and the University of Exeter in 2017, and later also trained in Mindful Self-Compassion. He regularly teaches mindfulness retreats.  In 2022 he completed the Dharma Teacher Training Programme at Bodhi College and has since been teaching Dharma retreats. Ramiro also trained as a philosopher, and since 2021 he has been practising as a philosophical counsellor.

Assisted by Jamie Bristow