About the Series

A Year of Deepening in Compassion – Part IV: Lojong and Compassionate Engagement is the fourth course in a four-part series exploring the Shambhala Mahayana teachings.

The path of the Bodhisattva Warrior begins with developing affection for ourselves and expands this to others, dissolving the barriers that divide us. To support this practice, Shambhala senior teachers taught a year-long course with contemplative and meditation practices from the Buddhist Mahayana teachings of our lineage.

Throughout this four-part series, the main practice is tonglen, taught by Ani Pema Chodron with a guided meditation and an audio talk that is posted in all four courses. Additional teachings introduce and support other practices of the Mahayana. 

This series is divided into four seasonal themes. Within each season, teachers offered talks that related to that topic with their own personal approach. The themes for the four seasons echo the virtues of the Four Dignities of the Shambhala Path: Tiger, Lion, Garuda and Dragon.

About the Course

Part IV – Skillful Dragon: Lojong and Compassionate Engagement

The spiritual path does not lead to non-activity and withdrawing from the world. In the Shambhala tradition, the master warrior is profoundly engaged. This last part of the course series will explore the teachings on the Lojong, Athisha’s famous mind-training slogans, that invite us to utilize the difficulties and problems we encounter to deepen our path.

• Six recorded classes, led by different teachers.
• Readings and book suggestions to deepen our understanding of these teachings
• Contemplations to help us integrate these fundamental teachings into our daily lives

Course Topics

Class 1  – Lojong and the Four Reminders with Gaylon Ferguson

Class 2 – Absolute Bodhicitta Slogans with John Rockwell

Class 3 – Relative Bodhicitta Slogans, Part 1 with Holly Gayley

Class 4 – Relative Bodhicitta Slogans, Part 2 with Fleet Maull

Class 5 – Bodhicitta in Everyday Life with Susan Skjei

Class 6 – The Bodhisattva Vow with Susan Chapman