Fall 2019 Dharma Path Intensive
Living the Bodhisattva’s Life: Exploring The Seven Points of Mind Training (Lojong), Part 3
September 30-December 20
The Dharma Path Intensive for this fall will be a continuation of the Intensive we began in February on the much loved and deeply venerated Tibetan text “The Seven Points of Mind Training,” (Lojong in Tibetan). The text is well known for its slogans that help us apply the full breadth of the Buddha’s Mahayana teachings to daily life, helping us learn to think and act as altruistic beings. These 59 mind trainings focus on how the Unconditioned Awakened Mind can beneficially manifest in the life of ordinary beings like ourselves to give rise to loving kindness, compassion and understanding in all the activities of our lives. The transformation of seemingly adverse situations into the path of awakening is a unique focus of these mind trainings.
In this Fall Intensive, Fred and Ken will continue to guide participants in understanding the 59 slogans and how to practice them, now focusing on the slogans of Points (Verses) 4 through 7. They will regularly assign specific slogan(s) to work with, which will provide an opportunity for each participant to directly fit the text into the context of their current life condition.
The path of practice for this Intensive will include readings and assigned slogans to practice in formal meditation and in daily life. Bi-weekly group mentoring video-conference calls on Zoom will provide individual guidance and support. These mentor calls will again alternate between being led by Fred and by Ken. Mentor Groups may be reassigned based on how many people register for the fall. Four Dharma talks given by Fed ad Ken will be offered to participants via Zoom. The November 23 Daylong Retreat in Tampa led by Fred and Ken will focus on the Lojong Intensive.
The commitments for this Intensive are listed below. Before registering for the Intensive please read the commitments and reflect carefully on whether you will be able to keep them.
Commitments for each Intensive participant:
Study & Practice:
- Spend a minimum of one hour daily in formal meditative practice, study, and/or other practices related to this Intensive.
- Read Dharma texts assigned for the Intensive
- Regularly attend your local Sangha’s weekly meditation and daylong retreats as possible.
Participate in Assigned Practice Groups:
- Participate in your assigned bi-weekly mentoring group (via Zoom) as described above.
- Be present for monthly Dharma Talks (via Zoom)
- Be present for the Intensive’s Daylong retreat in-person or by Zoom as possible (Scheduled for November 23).
This Fall Dharma Path Intensive is open to FCM members who participated in the 2019 Winter/Spring and/or the 2019 Summer Living the Bodhisattva's Life intensives. Members with previous Lojong experience may join with Fred’s approval. Please check with Fred before registering.
There is a suggested donation of $100 associated with this Intensive. This is a suggested donation, and participants are free to donate more or less, depending on their individual practice of Dana and their financial situation. You may pay on-line or send your check made out to the Florida Community of Mindfulness (FCM) to Florida Community of Mindfulness, 6501 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, FL 33604.
This Intensive will begin on September 30 and end on December 20, 2019. Readings, group assignments, and Zoom teleconference/phone call instructions will be announced once registration has been completed.
Registration will close on September 16. To ensure you register on time, please register immediately or mark the registration closing date in your calendar now.
If you have any questions about this intensive, please contact Ken Lenington at kenlen108@gmail.com.
