Ann Arbor Programs Jan – April 2013
ANN ARBOR PROGRAM COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
DE LAM
Mondays, 7– 8:30pm
$110/ Jewel Heart Members – Free
Delam, or the Smooth Path, is a multi-dimensional map that, when followed with genuine effort, will help us remove limitations imposed by fear and confusion, opening our hearts and minds to reach their fullest potential. Following Gelek Rimpoche’s transcript, De Lam, this course presents aspects of life for meditation that will deepen our relationship with the guru, ourselves, and ultimately bring about our future enlightenment.
January 14, 28, February 11, March 4, 18, April 1, 15, 29, May 13, June 3, 17
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VAJRAYANA PATHS AND STAGES
Mondays, 7– 8:30pm
$80/ Jewel Heart Members – Free
Vajrayana, the tantric/esoteric aspect of Buddha’s teachings, is rooted in experiential understanding of the intention of the sutras – development of compassion and wisdom. A course for those with highest yoga tantra initiation only, it follows Rimpoche’s transcript, Introduction to Vajrayana, exploring the structure of vajrayana and highlighting stages and practices from taking initiation up to the ultimate union of the Vajradhara state.
February 4, 18, March 11, 25, April 8, 22, May 6, May 20
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GOM WEEKEND
March 22 – March 24
Donation only
GOM, or concentrated meditation, is an essential tool that helps develop peace and joy as well as the power to deeply understand wisdom. This intensive weekend includes practice session with light guidance. Silence is maintained. Sessions include sitting and walking meditations. Instructors are available for assistance. Please bring brown bag meals and snacks. Tea/Coffee provided.
Friday, 7pm – 9pm
Saturday, 9am – 8:30 pm
Sunday, 8:45am – 6pm (with break for 10 – 11am Sunday morning talk)
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THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
Wednesdays, 7– 8:30pm
$80/ Jewel Heart Members – Free
This course introduces Buddha’s revolutionary message that suffering can come to an end through one’s own efforts. Following Gelek Rimpoche’s transcript, Four Noble Truths, participants rely on readings, discussion and meditation.
March 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15
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DEEPENING AWARENESS: THE PRACTICE OF MINDFULNESS MEDITATION
Thursdays, 7 – 8:30pm
$80/ Jewel Heart Members – Free
Becoming more aware of our thoughts, feelings and sensations through meditation opens the door to understanding the nature of our mind and
how it influences our experience. While open to all, it is recommended to follow Creating Space: Clarity and Insight through Meditation.
March 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16
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FREE FILM AND DISCUSSION – Fridays, Monthly, 7pm
Bring your friends and enjoy a free film and discussion about dharma and the film. Concessions are also available.
January 25 – 4 short films, 2012 Academy Awards nominees with 2 of the winners.
- RAJU – A German couple adopting a young boy in India must make a difficult choice.
- TIME FREAK – A neurotic inventor builds a time machine and gets caught up traveling around yesterday.
- THE SHORE – An inspiring story of boyhood best friends as they reconcile after being divided 25 years.
- THE FANTASTIC FLYING BOOKS OF MR. MORRIS LESSMORE – A poignant, humorous allegory about the curative powers of story.
February 15 – FINDING JOE (2012) An exploration of Joseph Campbell’s study of the Hero’s journey, showing how Campbell’s work is relevant and essential in today’s world and can provide a narrative for how to live a fully realized life.
March 29 – THE LAMP: All things are possible if you JUST BELIEVE (2011) A film about a father regaining hope and healing after a devastating loss.
April 26 – SEDONA (2011) Visitors to the mystical town of Sedona Arizona encounter eccentric characters and a series of calamities that lead them to unexpected miracles.
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JEWEL HEART READERS – Tuesdays, Monthly, 7 – 8:30pm
Enjoy lively discussion of dharma related book selections monthly.
January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9
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KNITTING SOCIAL – Sundays, Monthly, 1 – 4pm
All are invited to this monthly Sangha Council social gathering. Loving Kindness Knitting & Crafts includes all crafts, arts and handiwork. Bring your current project(s) if you have one or join our Squares project. We have lots of yarn to go around.
January 13, February 3, March 10, April 14
ART OF LIVING
Wednesdays, 7 – 8:30pm
$80/ Jewel Heart Members – Free
We long for meaning, for an effective way to bring insight and heart to the ordinary circumstances and inevitable challenges of our daily lives. Following Gelek Rimpoche’s book, Good Life, Good Death, this course will explore pragmatic methods to bring depth, meaning, and joy to our lives.
January 9, 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, March 6 No meeting February 27
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CREATING SPACE: CLARITY AND INSIGHT THROUGH MEDITATION
Thursdays, 7 – 8:30pm
$80/ Jewel Heart Members – Free
Meditation provides a clear stable mind, necessary for a happy life and foundation for deepening our spiritual journey. This course offers hands-on experience with the basic elements of meditation, using breath, posture and techniques for coping with distractions and laxity of the mind.
January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, March 7, 14 No meetings February 21 and 28
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GANDEN LHA GYEMA
Thursdays, 7 – 8:30pm
$80/ Jewel Heart Members – Free
One of the most popular practices in the Tsong Khapa tradition, Ganden Lha Gyema deepens our connection with the enlightened through
meditational exercises and enriches our inner development. With grounded appreciation for the spiritual teacher, this practice uplifts through generosity, respect, purification, rejoicing and many beneficial activities. Instruction on specific visualization practices with the Migtsema mantra.
January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, March 7, 14 No meetings February 21 and 28
Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe at Jewel Heart Ann Arbor
A Weekend Teaching
In Buddhism existence can be understood as both absolute and relative. The relative truth is how we usually see the world, a place full of diverse and distinctive things and beings. The absolute truth is that in fact nobody or nothing, anywhere, has anything that inherently makes it what it is.
Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe is currently a professor of Mool Shastra (Indian Tradition of Buddhist Philosophy) at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, the only Tibetan university in India, and is regarded as one of the most eminent scholars of both the Madhyamaka tradition and Indian Buddhist studies. As one of the greatest learned scholars of Drepung Loseling Monastery he facilitated the completion of numerous research works, including a complete translation of Lama Tsongkhapa’s ‘Lam rim chen mo’ or ‘Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment’.
Saturday, September 15, 10am – 12 & 2 – 5pm & Sunday, September 16, 2 – 4pm
$50 – 75 sliding scale – Register in advance by calling
(734) 994-3387 extension 223 or email [email protected]