Sundays: November 3, 17 / December 1, 8

Cohort 1 — 1:00-3:00 pm ET Register Here

Cohort 2 — 5:00-7:00 pm ET Register Here

About the Course

No writing experience is necessary!

This is a deep study haiku course that includes a basic introduction to “the way of Haiku,” but also delves deeply into Daoism, Chinese Contemplative Poetry and the Deep Ecology teachings, connecting this contemplative art practice with the biggest existential issue of our times.

This course will guide participants through how to create Classic Contemplative Haiku, a short literary form that brings both the writer and the reader to a “now moment” that encompasses the entire universe. It will help participants explore and see the phenomenal ways of the universe–through the lens of deep ecology teachings.

The course includes teachings, writing assignments, and writing reviews. Each participant will receive personal haiku reviews from the teacher through email, and each week during live sessions you will share and collectively review your haiku. 

There is also the possibility of sharing your Haiku with friends and family at seasonal celebrations in November and December!

Please note: This online program will be recorded and available to registered participants around 72 hours after each live session has taken place. You may find the recording under “My Programs” after signing into your Shambhala Online account. While it is recommended that participants attend all live sessions, should you need to miss, the recording will be available to watch in preparation for the next class.

This course includes:

• Four live on-line sessions
• Meditation and contemplation practice
• Teachings on writing haiku
• Reading and study materials from Haiku literature, Daosim, Chinese Contemplative Poetry and the Deep Ecology teachings (materials will be provided)
• Group study and discussion
• Weekly haiku writing assignments
• Personal feedback on your haiku through weekly email exchanges
• Weekly sharing and celebration of each other’s haiku

This course opens the possibility of joining the Moon and Sun Contemplative Haiku Group–an on-line collective that shares their haiku and includes further teachings.

Cohorts:

Please note: This course has two cohorts with a maximum of 15 particpants per cohort. Please sign up for one of the two times listed below. 

Register for Cohort 1 — 1:00-3:00 pm ET

Register for Cohort 2 — 5:00-7:00 pm ET

About the Teacher

John McQuade is a long time student of Sakyong Trungpa Rinpoche, Vajra Regent Osel Tendzin and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. He served on the Toronto Shambhala Center Council for twenty years including the Director twice. He is a Shambhala Training teacher and Maitri Five Wisdoms teacher. He founded Nalanda Miksang Contemplative Photography (www.miksang.org) and the Moon and Sun Contemplative Haiku group. He teaches the View and practice of the contemplative arts (www.dralaimage.com). He co-authored, with Miriam Hall, two books: Looking and Seeing and Heart of Photography. He holds a PhD in Phenomenology and teaches in academic institutions. He is married to Alice Yang and enjoys family life with their children Tara and Sean.