Tuesdays at 7:00-8:30 pm EST
January 9, 16, 23, 30 / Feb 6, 13, 20, 27 / March 5, 12, 19

About the Book Group

Explore the profundity and power of The Tibetan Book of Dead in this guided, book-group experience that makes these timeless teachings accessible to all. Drawing on ancient wisdom, readers will be able to approach these potent teachings on impermanence and death with joy and ease.  

Participants will use the book The Tibetan Book of the Dead for Beginners, A Guide to Living & Dying by Lama Lhanang Rinpoche and Mordy Levine, to help them develop greater love and compassion for themselves and others as death approaches – whether it be for themselves or a loved one. It will also help readers enrich their understanding of The Tibetan Book of the Dead, with commentary by Francesca Fremantle and Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, which is one of the most highly regarded translations of this sacred text.

Breakdown of Group Sessions

January 9 – Chapter 1: Karma – How We Live is How We Die
January 16 – Chapter 2: What Dies and What Gets Reborn
January 23 – Chapter 3: Our Consciousness After Death
January 30 – Chapter 4: Influencing Our Next Rebirth
February 6 – Chapter 5: Start Where We are Now
February 13 – Chapter 6: Supporting Loved Ones as They Approach Death
February 20 – Chapter 7: Practices as Death Approaches
February 27 – Chapter 8: Supporting Dying Loved Ones from a Distance
March 5 – Chapter 9: Supporting Ourselves at End of Life
March 12 – Chapter 10: The Time Immediately After Death
March 19 – Chapter 11: Essential Advice for Joyful Living and Peaceful Dying

Included in the Group

• An opportunity for meditation, discussion, and connecting as a community 
• An opportunity to discuss topics such as death and dying in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and context with a Shambhala Buddhist Chaplain who is also an End-of-Life Care expert 
• Discussions on karma, rebirth, what gets reborn, influences on our next rebirth, supporting ourselves and loved ones as they approach death, support for loved ones from a distance, the bardos, compassion practices and essential advice and much more

What You will Gain

• Experience to enrich your understanding of The Tibetan Book of the Dead translated with commentary by Francesca Fremantle and Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.
• You will also gain a deeper understanding of the teachings of the great Buddhist Master Padmasambhava and Tibetan Buddhism in general. 

Required Reading Material

The Tibetan Book of the Dead for Beginners: A Guide to Living & Dying by Lhama Lhanang Rinpoche & Mordy Levine

Highly Recommended Reading Material (not required)

The Tibetan Book of the Dead translated with commentary by Francesca Fremantle and Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche

Prerequisites

No experience necessary. Open to all levels of experience.

About the Teacher

Chaplain Alley Smith is an ordained Buddhist Minister of Religion (Chaplain) in the Shambhala Lineage. She also holds precepts in Zen Buddhism. Alley is an experienced health care, college/university, hospice and end of life care chaplain. Alley is a US military war veteran. During her career, Alley served with the military funeral honors Honor Guard. She specializes in spiritual care, mortuary affairs and as a funeral clergy. Alley has been a student of Shambhala Buddhism and Zen since 1999.