Prep Class on the Four Noble Truths

Two weeks – September 24 and October 1

A brief introduction to the origin of suffering and the cessation of suffering – recommended, but not required, and especially geared for newer dharma students.   

The Buddha’s first teaching was the Four Noble Truths, where he described the pervasive condition of suffering and the path to the cessation of suffering.  This two week class will provide some context for the Introduction to Emptiness class to follow.  Why do we suffer?  What leads to suffering and what do we discover on the path of meditation that helps free us from suffering?  Taught by Patrick Dallas and Scott Kamilar.

This 2 week class is free, no registration is needed.  If you decide to also take the Emptiness Class you can register for that at any time.

Introdution to Emptiness

Five weeks – October 8 through 29 and November 12.  

“When we talk about emptiness, we are not talking about vacancy, but about the absence of clinging.  Beyond clinging, a greater freedom can be experienced that is not particularly a vacant or a blank state of being, but a much clearer, unpossessed state of being.  It is total spaciousness, which you cannot actually label.”    Chogyam Trungpa

Emptiness and compassion are inseparable parts of the Mahayana Buddhist path and are also vital in practicing in the Vajrayana, for those who choose to do so.  This class will help us take an experiential look at emptiness.  The book “Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness”* by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyatso will be used as a basis, but rather than a theoretical approach, the class will focus on the ground-level, practical experience of emptiness.  Brief meditations and other explorations will be part of the class and questions and dialogue will be encouraged.  For example, we normally assume that things are permanent, single, and separate….we’ll examine those assumptions.  Even understanding a bit about emptiness provides profound implications with respect to practicing meditation and leading a life wisely.

Steve has asked that everyone read the book, in a somewhat “lighthanded” way,  just to get familiar with the language, at least once prior to the first class. 

*The book is available on Amazon in both paperback and kindle formats.

About the Teacher

Steve Tibbetts is senior Buddhist practitioner and dharma student who has studied with Tulku Ugyen, Rinpoche, Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche, and Khenpo Tsultrim Gyatso, Rinpoche, among others, and has taught at a number of Buddhist Centers.

Our Generosity Policy

In order to make our programs accessible to everyone, we have a “pay what you can afford” policy. If the program price is an obstacle for you, please decide what works for you and offer whatever you can.

For those who can offer more than the program price, we have a “patron price”. Your generosity in offering the patron price helps cover the costs for others who are not able to pay the full price.