The Journey and The Guide
A practical course in Enlightenment
Eight weeks | Starts Wed 16 Oct | 7:15 pm - 9:45 pm | In person and Online
Led by Amalayodhin, Suvarnajyoti & Adityabandhu
These days, we are offered so many options for self-development that we can be paralysed by the choice. Buddhism offers a path towards growth and meaning that's been around for thousands of years, and tried and tested by millions of people.
In this eight-week course we will learn the fundamentals of Buddhist practice showing a way that, with enough determination and effort, will lead all the way to complete liberation.
Course Description
This course is 'a Practical Guide to Enlightenment'. It outlines the Buddhist path of development that touches on every single aspect of our life. The course explores five threads of the spiritual journey and training: Integration, Positive Emotion, Spiritual Death, Spiritual Receptivity and Spiritual Rebirth. Its aim is the total transformation of the mind, so that we become a force for ourselves and those around us.
Firstly, we will explore how to gather ourselves enough so we can more fully get behind our desire to positively change. We can then cultivate our positive emotions such as courage and connectedness. From this basis, we can let go of any fixed sense of ourselves, and become more flexible and open to what's new, exciting, and truly meaningful. Finally, we can come to experience ourselves and the world in a completely revolutionary way.
Based on a book by Maitreyabandhu – prize-winning poet and experienced teacher at the London Buddhist Centre -- the course mixes poetry and myth with down-to-earth instruction. You'll receive a copy of the book. You'll learn more about the Buddhist vision and be supported week-by-week in how to systematically apply it to your life, and notice any changes for yourself.
Structure of the Course
Week 1
Integrating all our energy behind growth 1
Week 2
Integrating all our energy behind growth 2
Week 3
Cultivating positve emotions and robustness 1
Week 4
Cultivating positve emotions and robustness 2
Week 5
Letting go of a fixed sense of self 1
Week 6
Letting go of a fixed sense of self 2
Week 7
Opening up to radical change 1
Week 8
Opening up to radical change 2
Is this course for me?
The course is for you if you are relatively new to the LBC, and would like practical instruction on how to follow a Path that can lead to growth and ultimate meaning.
It’s also for those who have been coming to the centre for a while, and would like to understand the different aspects of a complete system of practice. Many people do the course more than once, learning something new and deepening their understanding each time.
So, this course is for anyone interested in exploring the quest for growth and meaning
Led by
Pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get the most from the course?
Here are some top tips for taking part:
Come every week – whether you feel like it or not. If you look for motivation before you do something, you reverse your motivation; mostly you only want to do something when you’re actually doing it.
Come early – so you can lie down in the shrine room and have a nap, you probably need it and you’ll get more from the class if you do.
Do your ‘home practice’ every day – then each week you’ll be in a small group to check in about how that went.
What if I can’t make every session?
Do sign-up even if you know you can’t make every session, as you will be able to catch-up from the weekly emails.
If you are going to miss a class – email the home group leader so we know and can let others know. And do come back the following week. Don’t feel guilty for not having attended, just come back and start again.
How to take part if I bought the online element?
You will receive a welcome email with a zoom link and all the details, including that it will be a 7.15pm start. Part of the evening will include break-out groups – you will be with the same group of people each week.
