7:00-8:30 pm EST

Donations are welcome!

About the Session

You should examine yourself and ask how many times
you have tried to connect with your heart, fully and truly.

—Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche

During this online session, we will explore Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s teachings on “the genuine heart of sadness” from the timeless classic, Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior. By reading and discussing this chapter together, we will uncover how to develop genuine care, tenderness, and sympathy towards ourselves and others. We will also dive into the teachings on basic goodness—the truth that we are all fundamentally good—as well as teachings on “bodhichitta” (awakened mind/heart) and fearlessness. We will also discuss how to build a life alongside sadness and grief, rather than seeking to push it away or overcome it.

We respect your privacy. This program will not be recorded to protect the privacy of individuals who want to share their deep and heartfelt experiences of sadness, heartache, heartbreak, grief and more.

Included:

• An exploration of profound teachings on sadness and other Shambhala and Buddhist teachings
• An opportunity to tell the truth about sadness, grief, love, and loss
• Looking at our meditation sitting posture while holding sadness
• A guided meditation on how to “hear your heart”
• An opportunity to practice in the comfort of your own home and/or practice space
• An opportunity to share your experience in a safe and supportive contemplative community

Required Reading

Chapter 3, “The Genuine Heart of Sadness,” from Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior by Chögyam Trungpa

Recommended Reading (not required)

Chapter 3, “Hearing the Hurt,” from Navigating Grief and Loss: 25 Buddhist Practices to Keep your Heart Open to Yourself and Others by Kimberly Brown

Prerequisites

Open to all.

About the Teacher

Alley Smith is an ordained Buddhist Minister of Religion (Chaplain) in the Shambhala Lineage. She also holds precepts in Zen Buddhism. Alley specializes in spiritual care, mortuary affairs and as a funeral clergy. Alley has been a student of Shambhala Buddhism and Zen since 1999. She currently hosts, Making Friends with Death & Dying: Support Group with Shambhala Online. Email: [email protected]