BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Planet Dharma - ECPv6.18.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Planet Dharma X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.planetdharma.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Planet Dharma REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Edmonton BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20180311T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20181104T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20190310T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20191103T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20200308T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20201101T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20210314T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20211107T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20220313T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20221106T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20230312T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20231105T080000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/Berlin BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20200329T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20201025T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20210328T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20211031T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20220327T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20221030T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220520 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220530 DTSTAMP:20260602T072840Z CREATED:20211118T192139Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T072840Z UID:10000615-1653004800-1653868799@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Breathing Meditation Retreat 2022 DESCRIPTION:Breathing Meditation\n Meditation Retreat | May 20-29\, 2022\n Join Catherine Pawasarat Sensei for a ten day meditation retreat on the powerful practice of breathing meditation. Like a vipassana retreat\, you will learn sitting meditation. Additionally this retreat takes you beyond only the sitting posture\, to include all four postures\, for a dynamic integrated meditation practice. In-person and Online options available. \nRegistration deadline for in-person retreatants is May 6th 2022. Registration deadline for online retreatants is May 13th 2022. \n OverviewRegistration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The meditation on Mindfulness of Breathing is not only suitable for all beings\, it is also the direct way to enlightenment.\n Namgyal Rinpoche \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Breathing Meditation Retreat \n\nBreathing. You can’t beat it\, for life\, and as a meditation practice. Breathing meditation is suitable for all types of people.  It develops concentration\, calm\, bliss and insight – altogether leading to awakening and healing. \nThis meditation retreat will be led by Catherine Pawasarat Sensei at Clear Sky Meditation Center in Eastern BC. Catherine Sensei will have just completed a three month meditation retreat just prior to teaching this course. \nAn online option is also available for those not in Western Canada\, to make participation possible from anywhere in the world. \n\nWhile we believe any undertaking can be a vehicle for awakening\, there’s no substitute for the power of one’s own profound experience of truth\, gained through meditation. This is why meditation is one of the four foundational practices of our teaching. \nA guiding text for this retreat is the Ānāpānasati Sutta\, or Mindfulness of Breathing Discourse.  In it\, the Buddha describes 16 steps of practice divided into four areas of mindfulness. \nThis simple yet powerful framework will extend your meditation experience to everything from subatomic particles to the vastness of space\, and all that’s between.  It includes practice in all four postures – sitting\, walking standing and lying down.  \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher\n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \nCatherine Pawasarat Sensei is a contemporary Dharma teacher\, attendant\, consort\, co-teacher via Planet Dharma and co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and universal spiritual tools including transpersonal astrology and Japanese arts. \nShe trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan from 1998 until his passing in 2024\, in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. \nMore About Sensei | About the Lineage\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Do Previous Retreatants Say?\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n My teenage son actually read it. First spiritual book he’s ever touched. That alone is a miracle. \nDavid L.Parent & Dharma PractitionerFinally\, a spiritual teaching that doesn’t require me to pretend I’m not fascinated by aliens and cosmic consciousness. \nRachel T.Sci-Fi AuthorThe Victory Protocols aren’t just in the book—they start working on you as you read. I found myself spontaneously applying them to my life before I even finished. \nJames K.Former Buddhist MonkI thought I was reading a fun adventure story. Turns out I was getting the spiritual education I’d been seeking for decades. Sneaky brilliant. \nSarah M.Meditation TeacherCatherine Sensei’s intuitive wisdom on how you can use your astrology chart to grow the wholesome and let go of the unwholesome is skillful\, compassionate and loving. She is the real deal. She has worked and trained closely as an apprentice to Qapel Doug Duncan. As a result\, she has learned to help beings to let go of what is not working and embrace more sustainable behaviours using the combination of astrology and dharma. \nKaren McallisterThe Mindful Money Coach \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Fees & Requirements\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n All Retreatants: A Dāna Based Retreat\n This retreat is offered on the basis of dāna (generosity). \nDāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”\, and is the traditional way in which Buddhist teachings are offered.  With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. You may have come across this in the form of “pay from the heart”. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. \nYou will be sent a link to offer “dana” to the teachers after registration.  \nFor more information on dāna click here. \n \n \n \n \n \n For Online Retreatants: Admin Fees & Requirements\n In order to bring you this retreat at home\, there is an additional admin fee* of $250 CAD. The admin fee is to cover the costs of running these online courses – for equipment and software to provide you the teachings online. \nIf you are taking this retreat online\, we require that you devote your full attention to the retreat for the entire week. \nRequirements include: \n\nBlock out the retreat duration and be focused on the retreat for this entire period\, using this time and participating in the retreat as if you were at Clear Sky in person.  This includes a rigorous\, full\, daily meditation schedule.\nParticipate in all of the daily classes and group practices via online streaming.\nSet up a quiet space or location where you can focus on the Meditation Retreat\, and not need to engage in conversation or work with others.\nPut away your phone\, digital devices and other distractions.\nIf there are enough people in the same time zone as you\, you could also make a cohort to meet to do a group practice throughout the retreat.\nNote: full details/ requirements will be sent to you after registering\n\n  \nAbout the administrative fee* \nIn a traditional model of in-person teachings\, a retreat center or urban meditation center invites teachers to visit. In these cases the centers have infrastructure and organization costs to cover\, which might be covered by an admin fee. For the teaching itself\, dāna to the teachers is offered in a bowl. This honors both the sustainability of the teachers and of the supporting center. \nWe’ve tried to recreate this approach online.The teachers’ time and the teaching themselves are offered on the basis of dāna\, separate to the admin fee. With our dāna offering we are making a direct gift of generosity to the teachers to support their teachings and livelihood. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \nThe admin fee goes to support the infrastructure and organization necessary to support them to teach. As anyone with an online business will know\, it can be surprising the costs of setting up a good infrastructure to support effective teaching and connection online. \nBelow are a few of the work and benefits that your admin fee payment is supporting: \n\nhigh speed internet (to allow interviews and classes on-line)\nonline class systems (Zoom)\nregistration / admin systems (Eventbrite\, Basecamp)\ncommunication systems to keep everyone informed\, share connection details\, teachings and other resources (Mailchimp)\nonline storage (for example\, Dropbox\, to allow us to let students watch recordings and to store and share selected teachings in other forms such as podcasts and videos after the Teachings)\nquality sound\, video and editing equipment (both for live teachings and to provide good enough quality for later sharing as podcasts and video). We are regularly updating our equipment to improve your user experience.\nonline calendar booking system to allow students to book interviews\nwebsite hosting and maintenance for sharing upcoming courses\, teachings\, blogs and other resources.\n\nMay all our efforts be sustainable\, abundant and for the benefit of all beings! \n*We also do not wish to exclude anyone from the Teachings\, so if you are not currently in a financial position to afford the admin fee\, please contact us so we can support you to attend. \nWe welcome any questions. Please feel free to contact registrar@planetdharma.com. \n \n \n \n \n \n Retreatants at Clear Sky: Lodging Fees & Covid 19 Protocols\n In addition to Dana to the Teacher\, Clear Sky Meditation Centre provides an incredible space for your retreat.  Situated on a beautiful 310-acre property in the Rocky Mountains\, the center and its karma yogis provide you nourishing daily meals and comfortable accomodation. Read more: Staying with us (Clear Sky Meditation Centre) \nPlease go to the retreat registration page for this retreat for details of the all inclusive fee for the retreat. \nCovid-19 Protocols\nOur retreats comply with current BC Covid-19 Health Orders.  Please refer to those provincial guidelines as well as the Canadian federal travel guidelines\, especially if you are planning to travel to Clear Sky Center in person. \n \n \n \n \n \n Detailed Daily Schedule\n Specific times may change (MST) \n\n\n\nRETREAT DAILY SCHEDULE\n\n\n\n\n\n\n6:30 – 7:30 AM\nWalk &/or Personal Practice\n\n\n\n\n\n7:30 – 8:15 AM\nBreakfast: Prepare\, eat\, clean up\n\n\n\n8:15 – 8:45 AM\nWalk &/or Personal Practice\n\n\n\n\n9:00 – 10:00 AM\nClass with Teachers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n10:00 – 10:30 AM\nWalk\n\n\n\n10:30 – 11:30 AM\nGroup Practice lead by Sangha\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n11:30 – 12:30 PM\nPersonal Practice\n\n\n12:30 – 1:30 PM\nLunch: Prepare\, eat\, clean up\n\n\n\n\n1:30 – 3:00 PM\nPersonal Practice\n\n\n\n\n3:00 – 4:00 PM\nGroup Practice lead by Sangha\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n4:00 – 5:30 PM\nPersonal Practice\n\n\n\n\n\n5:30 – 7:00 PM \nDinner: prepare\, eat\, clean up\n\n\n\n\n7:00 – 7:30 PM\nWalk &/or Personal Practice\n\n\n\n\n7:30 – 8:30 PM\nGroup Practice and Q & A with Teachers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n8:30 – beyond\nPersonal Practice & bed\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ready to Register?\nPlease click on the buttons below to register for either retreat option. If you  If you have questions about the retreat\, please phone 250-429-3929\, or contact maureen@clearskycenter.org. \n  \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n RETREAT AT CLEAR SKY\n \n RETREAT ONLINE\n \n \n \n \n \n Registration deadline for in-person retreatants is May 6th 2022. Registration deadline for online retreatants is May 13th 2022. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/breathing-meditation-retreat-2022/ LOCATION:Clear Sky Meditation & Study Centre\, 3567 Cockell Rd\, Bull River\, British Columbia\, V0B1N0\, Canada CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Retreats ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/breathing-retreat-banner-93.jpg GEO:49.615543;-115.6300709 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Clear Sky Meditation & Study Centre 3567 Cockell Rd Bull River British Columbia V0B1N0 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=3567 Cockell Rd:geo:-115.6300709,49.615543 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220318 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220402 DTSTAMP:20260518T113555Z CREATED:20211118T231423Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260518T113555Z UID:10000616-1647561600-1648857599@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Hua Yan Meditation Retreat 2022 DESCRIPTION:Hua Yan Meditation\n Meditation Retreat | March 18-April 1\, 2022\n According to Hua Yan philosophy\, any phenomenon exists only as part of the total nexus of reality.  Like Indra’s web\, all things are equally connected to each other and also contained within in each other. Join a two week in-person retreat on the profound Hua Yan teachings from Chinese Mahayana Buddhism. \nAn online option is available for those who cannot travel to BC\, Canada for this retreat. \nIn person registration closes March 4th\, 2022.Registration for online retreat closes March 11th 2022. \n  \n  \n  \n OverviewRegistration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Buddhist Teaching of Totality\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Hua Yan philosophy was established in the 7th and 8th centuries in China\, based on the Flower Garland Sutra (Avatamsaka Sutra). It has one central concern – to reveal the Buddha realm of infinity. \nThe teaching indicates a complete way to think – with a multiple or totalistic approach. Nothing is rejected. Not even is there room for contradiction. All inconsistencies become harmonious. Totality is one of its central points. \nHua Yan is a synthesis of all major Mahayana thought\, and includes the three major concepts of Mahayana: totality\, emptiness and mind-only. \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  Hua Yan Meditation Retreat\nThe Buddhist Teaching of Totality\nMarch 18-April 1\, 2022 \nAt Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What is Hua Yan?\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Why this Retreat?\n \n \n \n \n \n The universal mind is likened to a vast ocean mirror in which the infinite dramas of the universe are spontaneously and simultaneously reflected. It becomes a kaleidoscope of multi dimensional\, mutual projections and interpenetrations. Hua Yan reveals the many hidden facets of shunyata (emptiness)\, which are not immediately clear. Far reaching implications of shunyata laid down in the Prajñāpāramitā Sutras become clearer. \nIn spite of being called a philosophy\, Hua Yan is true to the original spirit of Buddhism which achieves liberation upon abolishing all philosophical speculations. As a painter draws many pictures\, a sentient being’s mind can create infinite variations of world systems\, emerging from emptiness\, returning to emptiness. \nRead more here: general discussion of the Flower Garland Sutra and an in-depth history of the Huayan Buddhist philosophy. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Can I expect with this Retreat?\n \n \n \n \n \n The Retreat \n\nThis meditation retreat consists of many hours of consecutive practice each day. Therefore some experience\, especially with sitting meditation\, is highly recommended.\nNOTE: If this is your first two-week retreat\, advance permission from the teachers is required.\nAn open mind and heart and a spirit of adventure are excellent things to bring!\nIt’s human to have some apprehensions about doing something new\, meeting new people\, or going to a new place. Particularly when all three happen together.  Knowing this\, we try to make our retreats as supportive as possible.\nThis is a silent retreat. To deepen your meditation\, we ask that participants refrain from reading\, using the internet\, phone or listening to music during the course.\n\nThe Location – Clear Sky Center \n\nLocated in the BC rocky mountains\, Clear Sky offers over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature. Founded by Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat\, the centre is home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world.\n\n\nClear Sky Centre FAQs\nOur teachings and Clear Sky operate based on the ancient tradition of dāna or generosity. As generosity is the basis upon which all spiritual practice flourishes\, we recommend that you learn more about this profound practice before you register.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher\n \n \n \n \n \n Qapel (Achariya Doug Duncan) \nQapel studied with the Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche from 1974 until the latter’s passing in 2003. Doug received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. He also received teachings from the 16th Karmapa and other Tibetan Rinpoches\, as well as from the Ven. Sayadaw U Thila Wunta and from a Master of the Western Mystery School. In addition\, Doug has undertaken numerous three-month solitary meditation retreats. \nDoug has been leading retreats\, teaching and training in universal practices of spiritual unfoldment since 1985\, helping thousands of students in numerous countries liberate themselves from suffering. His teaching also draws on contemporary psychology and science. In 2004 he co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies where he is resident teacher along with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei. \nMore About Qapel | About the Lineage \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Do Previous Retreatants Say?\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n My teenage son actually read it. First spiritual book he’s ever touched. That alone is a miracle. \nDavid L.Parent & Dharma PractitionerFinally\, a spiritual teaching that doesn’t require me to pretend I’m not fascinated by aliens and cosmic consciousness. \nRachel T.Sci-Fi AuthorThe Victory Protocols aren’t just in the book—they start working on you as you read. I found myself spontaneously applying them to my life before I even finished. \nJames K.Former Buddhist MonkI thought I was reading a fun adventure story. Turns out I was getting the spiritual education I’d been seeking for decades. Sneaky brilliant. \nSarah M.Meditation TeacherCatherine Sensei’s intuitive wisdom on how you can use your astrology chart to grow the wholesome and let go of the unwholesome is skillful\, compassionate and loving. She is the real deal. She has worked and trained closely as an apprentice to Qapel Doug Duncan. As a result\, she has learned to help beings to let go of what is not working and embrace more sustainable behaviours using the combination of astrology and dharma. \nKaren McallisterThe Mindful Money Coach \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Fees & Requirements\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n All Retreatants: A Dāna Based Retreat\n This retreat is offered on the basis of dāna (generosity). \nDāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”\, and is the traditional way in which Buddhist teachings are offered.  With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. You may have come across this in the form of “pay from the heart”. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. \nYou will be sent a link to offer “dana” to the teachers after registration.  \nFor more information on dāna click here. \n \n \n \n \n \n Retreatants at Clear Sky: Lodging Fees & Covid 19 Protocols\n In addition to Dana to the teachers\, Clear Sky Meditation Centre provides an incredible space for your retreat.  Situated on a beautiful 310-acre property in the Rocky Mountains\, the center and its karma yogis provide you nourishing daily meals and comfortable accommodation. \nPlease go to the registration page for this retreat for details of the all inclusive fee for the two week retreat. \nCovid-19 Protocols\nPlease note\, we are taking measures to keep us all healthy during this retreat\, including: \n\nYou must have experienced no symptoms associated with covid-19 in the past 14 days.\nYou have met and followed all BC and Canadian health regulations regarding Covid 19 and travel.\nFurther details will be posted closer to the retreat date as necessary.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Detailed Daily Schedule\n Specific times may change – this is a rough guide (MST) \n\n\n\nRETREAT DAILY SCHEDULE\n\n\n \n \n\n\n6:30 – 7:30 AM\nWalk &/or Personal Practice\n\n\n7:30 – 8:15 AM\nBreakfast: Prepare\, eat\, clean up\n\n\n8:15 – 8:45 AM\nWalk &/or Personal Practice\n\n\n9:00 – 10:00 AM\nClass with Teachers\n\n\n10:00 – 10:30 AM\nWalk\n\n\n10:30 – 11:30 AM\nGroup Practice lead by Sangha\n\n\n11:30 – 12:30 PM\nPersonal Practice\n\n\n12:30 – 1:30 PM\nLunch: Prepare\, eat\, clean up\n\n\n1:30 – 3:00 PM\nPersonal Practice\n\n\n3:00 – 4:00 PM\nGroup Practice lead by Sangha\n\n\n4:00 – 5:30 PM\nPersonal Practice\n\n\n5:30 – 7:00 PM \nDinner: prepare\, eat\, clean up\n\n\n7:00 – 7:30 PM\nWalk &/or Personal Practice\n\n\n7:30 – 8:30 PM\nGroup Practice and Q & A with Teachers\n\n\n8:30 – beyond\nPersonal Practice & bed\n\n\n\n  \n \n \n \n \n \n *For Online Retreatants: Admin Fees & Requirements\n In order to bring you this retreat at home\, there is an additional admin fee* of $375 CAD. The admin fee is to cover the costs of running these online courses – for equipment and software to provide you the teachings online. \nIf you are taking this retreat online\, we require that you devote your full attention to the retreat for the entire two weeks. \nRequirements include: \n\nBlock out the two weeks and be focused on the retreat for this entire period\, using this time and participating in the retreat as if you were at Clear Sky in person.  This includes a rigorous\, full\, daily meditation schedule.\nParticipate in all of the daily classes and group practices via online streaming.\nSet up a quiet space or location where you can focus on the Meditation Retreat\, and not need to engage in conversation or work with others.\nPut away your phone\, digital devices and other distractions.\nIf there are enough people in the same time zone as you\, you could also make a cohort to meet to do a group practice throughout the retreat.\nNote: full details/ requirements will be sent to you after registering\n\n  \nAbout the administrative fee* \nIn a traditional model of in-person teachings\, a retreat center or urban meditation center invites teachers to visit. In these cases the centers have infrastructure and organization costs to cover\, which might be covered by an admin fee. For the teaching itself\, dāna to the teachers is offered in a bowl. This honors both the sustainability of the teachers and of the supporting center. \nWe’ve tried to recreate this approach online.The teachers’ time and the teaching themselves are offered on the basis of dāna\, separate to the admin fee. With our dāna offering we are making a direct gift of generosity to the teachers to support their teachings and livelihood. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \nThe admin fee goes to support the infrastructure and organization necessary to support them to teach. As anyone with an online business will know\, it can be surprising the costs of setting up a good infrastructure to support effective teaching and connection online. \nBelow are a few of the work and benefits that your admin fee payment is supporting: \n\nhigh speed internet (to allow interviews and classes on-line)\nonline class systems (Zoom)\nregistration / admin systems (Eventbrite\, Basecamp)\ncommunication systems to keep everyone informed\, share connection details\, teachings and other resources (Mailchimp)\nonline storage (for example\, Dropbox\, to allow us to let students watch recordings and to store and share selected teachings in other forms such as podcasts and videos after the Teachings)\nquality sound\, video and editing equipment (both for live teachings and to provide good enough quality for later sharing as podcasts and video). We are regularly updating our equipment to improve your user experience.\nonline calendar booking system to allow students to book interviews\nwebsite hosting and maintenance for sharing upcoming courses\, teachings\, blogs and other resources.\n\nMay all our efforts be sustainable\, abundant and for the benefit of all beings! \n*We also do not wish to exclude anyone from the Teachings\, so if you are not currently in a financial position to afford the admin fee\, please contact us so we can support you to attend. \nWe welcome any questions. Please feel free to contact registrar@planetdharma.com. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ready to Register?\nPlease click on the appropriate button below to register for online or in-person retreat options.  If you have questions about the retreat\, please phone 250-429-3929\, or contact maureen@clearskycenter.org. \n\nThe registration deadline for retreating at Clear Sky closes March 4th\, 2022.  \nRegistration for online retreat closes March 11th 2022.\n\n  \n \n RETREAT ONLINE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Travel in 2022 and Covid-19\nDue to travel restrictions\, we are offering an online option for this retreat.  Please read the course fees and requirements information above. We will be contacting you after registration to offer recommendations to support your online retreat. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/hua-yan-retreat-2022/ LOCATION:Clear Sky Meditation & Study Centre\, 3567 Cockell Rd\, Bull River\, British Columbia\, V0B1N0\, Canada CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Retreats ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/huayan-rectangle.jpg GEO:49.615543;-115.6300709 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Clear Sky Meditation & Study Centre 3567 Cockell Rd Bull River British Columbia V0B1N0 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=3567 Cockell Rd:geo:-115.6300709,49.615543 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20220227T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20220227T160000 DTSTAMP:20260615T113245Z CREATED:20211204T235120Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260615T113245Z UID:10000617-1645974000-1645977600@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Teachings of Totality: Enlighten-Up! DESCRIPTION:Enlighten-Up!\n \n Topic: Teachings of Totality \n*Rescheduled to Feb 27th\, 2022.Totality\, emptiness and mind-only are the three major characteristics of Mahayana Buddhism. Easy to say\, more challenging to experience! How might you understand this universal mind\, likened to a vast ocean mirror? \nEnlighten-Up! are uncompromising\, unflinching and kick-ass dharma classes.  Vajrayana Teachers Qapel and Sensei present a new topic each month.  Join online from anywhere in the world.   \n Register\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This month’s topic: \nTeachings of Totality\nTotality\, emptiness and mind-only are the three major characteristics of Mahayana Buddhism. How might you understand this universal mind\, likened to a vast ocean mirror? Learn more about these at this Enlighten-Up! with Qapel. \n \n \n \n \n \n Why Enlighten-Up!?\nDharma Talks for 21st Century Life\nThe word ‘Dharma’ has many meanings\, one being the ultimate truths of reality\, and the universal laws of awakening.  That’s lovely\, but how do you bring these ancient perspectives into 21st century life?   \nThese monthly(ish) classes are a way to bring kick-ass\, applicable dharma into your life.  Tune in to higher truths\, with real-life Dharma teachers from wherever you might be in the world. \nThe topic of the classes will change each month.  They will be thought provoking\, inspiring and designed to ‘enlighten-up’ your world.  In a world that has a tendency to ‘dumb down’ the complexities of wisdom\, we promise not to.  \nThere will also be an opportunity to share in small groups and to ask questions at the end of the class. \nVideo recordings are available for those who cannot attend live. \nThese Enlighten-Up classes are open to all experience levels. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher\n \n \n \n \n \n Qapel (Achariya Doug Duncan) \nQapel studied with the Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche from 1974 until the latter’s passing in 2003. Doug received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. He also received teachings from the 16th Karmapa and other Tibetan Rinpoches\, as well as from the Ven. Sayadaw U Thila Wunta and from a Master of the Western Mystery School. In addition\, Doug has undertaken numerous three-month solitary meditation retreats. \nDoug has been leading retreats\, teaching and training in universal practices of spiritual unfoldment since 1985\, helping thousands of students in numerous countries liberate themselves from suffering. His teaching also draws on contemporary psychology and science. In 2004 he co-founded Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies where he is resident teacher along with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei. \nMore About Qapel | About the Lineage \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nFees and Dāna\nThese sessions are offered based on the ancient principle of generosity\, or Dāna. \nRegistration\nTo attend\, you must register via the button below. These dharma classes are typically held once a month\, with the exception of when the Teachers are travelling or teaching another course.   \nWe recommend you attend live\, but if you cannot\, the video recording will be available for one week after the live session.  The live session includes time for a short sharing/ community discussion and Q&A. \n \n Registration \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n My teenage son actually read it. First spiritual book he’s ever touched. That alone is a miracle. \nDavid L.Parent & Dharma PractitionerFinally\, a spiritual teaching that doesn’t require me to pretend I’m not fascinated by aliens and cosmic consciousness. \nRachel T.Sci-Fi AuthorThe Victory Protocols aren’t just in the book—they start working on you as you read. I found myself spontaneously applying them to my life before I even finished. \nJames K.Former Buddhist MonkI thought I was reading a fun adventure story. Turns out I was getting the spiritual education I’d been seeking for decades. Sneaky brilliant. \nSarah M.Meditation TeacherCatherine Sensei’s intuitive wisdom on how you can use your astrology chart to grow the wholesome and let go of the unwholesome is skillful\, compassionate and loving. She is the real deal. She has worked and trained closely as an apprentice to Qapel Doug Duncan. As a result\, she has learned to help beings to let go of what is not working and embrace more sustainable behaviours using the combination of astrology and dharma. \nKaren McallisterThe Mindful Money Coach URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/enlighten-up-2022-02-27/ LOCATION:Clear Sky Meditation & Study Centre\, 3567 Cockell Rd\, Bull River\, British Columbia\, V0B1N0\, Canada CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Public Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/enlighten-up-ver.1.png GEO:49.615543;-115.6300709 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Clear Sky Meditation & Study Centre 3567 Cockell Rd Bull River British Columbia V0B1N0 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=3567 Cockell Rd:geo:-115.6300709,49.615543 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220218 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220221 DTSTAMP:20260625T050613Z CREATED:20211118T035552Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260625T050613Z UID:10000613-1645142400-1645401599@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Sādhana: Practices for Power DESCRIPTION:Sādhana: Practices for Power\n \n Weekend Retreat | New Dates: Feb 18-20\, 2022 \nThis weekend course focuses on how to properly practice vajrayana methodologies of deity yoga (mantra and visualisation). Learn how to participate in Empowerments and how to undertake sadhana practice. \nThis course includes a wongkur empowerment. It is offered in-person at Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, as well as online from your home. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n Register\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\nUnderstanding Deity Yoga Practice\nIn Vajrayana Buddhism\, “Deity Yoga” or “Arising Yoga” is the practice of bringing together mantra and visualization to engage with various archetypes. These archetypes are represented by deities such as Vajrasattva (emotional purification)\, Chenrezi (compassion)\, Green Tara (mother nature principles)\, or Medicine Buddha (healing). \nInitiations\, empowerments\, or wongkur (Tib. དབང་\, wang) are considered the spring from which all blessings flow. More literally\, these are ritual celebrations in which a specific teaching is transmitted from Teacher to student that enables the student to practice a new form of “Arising Yoga.” Part of this weekend online course focuses on how to properly participate in wongkur. \nThe other part of this course focuses on how to use a sādhana\, which is a unique set of mantra and visualization instructions for each deity. Putting the wongkur and sādhana work together\, this class will then focus on how to approach the foundation work of Vajrayana Buddhism\, which can appear daunting to new students. \nIn addition to the teachings above\, a very special wongkur empowerment will be given: \n\nGuru Rinpoche / Yeshe Tsogyal combined wongkur\n\n \n \n \n \n \n A Note on Covid-19 Regulations in Canada\nOur retreats comply with current BC Covid-19 Health Orders.  Please refer to those provincial guidelines as well as the Canadian federal travel guidelines\, especially if you are planning to travel to Clear Sky Center in person. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Qapel Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Qapel (Achariya Doug Duncan) and Sensei (Catherine Pawasarat) were Planet Dharma’s founding teachers. Since Qapel passed away in 2024\, Catherine Sensei is our head teacher and lineage holder. Qapel and Sensei also founded Clear Sky Meditation Center\, BC\, Canada. \nQapel (Achariya Doug Duncan) received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Qapel embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat Sensei has trained daily with Qapel (Acariya Doug Duncan) since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine Sensei also draws on generative living and the arts. With Qapel she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nImportant: The dates for this retreat have changed. Originally scheduled for Feb 4-6th\, the retreat dates are now February 18-20th\, 2022. Please also review new class times below. \nIt is possible to attend the course in these ways: \n\nOnline Retreat \nIn-Person at Clear Sky (Registrations now closed)\n\nEach of the classes in this retreat will be held live at Clear Sky Meditation Centre. There will also be a video streamed live for online participants.   The current class schedule is as follows. \n\nFriday Feb 18th: 7:30pm MST\nSaturday Feb 19th: 9am / 3pm / 7:30pm MST\nSunday Feb 20th: 9am Empowerment / 3pm / 7:30pm MST\n\nPlease note that we expect participants to attend all classes live. This is a retreat so you should have your environment setup in this manner: no work\, social or travel plans so that you can dive deep into the work. \nWe have arranged class times to be comfortable for most time zones. However we understand that some class times might occur after midnight in some regions\, so please contact us if that is the case for you\, and we will provide a recording so you can catch up on that particular class. \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\nThis course is offered based on the unique combination of 1) dāna  and 2) course fees.   \n\nFor online participants – dāna + an online Admin fee of $100USD.  \nFor in person participants  dāna + Accommodation\, course and meal fees.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n About DānaAbout the Online Admin Fee\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart.” Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity.” With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. \nThe dharma has been built on generosity. No one is excluded for lack of funds. However\, it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able. \nTypically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course. \nAs we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure. Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us. \nIf you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. \nWe're delighted to share that we created a short online course so that you can learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n In a traditional model of in-person teachings\, a retreat center or urban meditation center invites teachers to visit. In these cases the centers have infrastructure and organization costs to cover\, which might be covered by an admin fee. For the teaching itself\, dāna to the teachers is offered in a bowl. This honors both the sustainability of the teachers\, and of the supporting center. \nWe’ve tried to recreate this approach online. The teachers’ time and the teaching themselves are offered on the basis of dāna\, separate to the admin fee. With our dāna offering we are making a direct gift of generosity to the teachers to support their teachings and livelihood. \nThe admin fee* goes to support the infrastructure and organization necessary to support them to teach. As anyone with an online business will know\, the costs of setting up good infrastructure to support effective teaching and connection online can be surprising. \nOur admin fee changes based on the date of registration. \nRegister four + weeks prior: $80 Register two to four weeks prior: $100Register less than two weeks prior: $120 \n*We also do not wish to exclude anyone from the Teachings\, so if you are not currently in a financial position to afford the admin fee\, please contact the course Registrar via registrar@planetdharma.com so we can support you to attend. \n--- \nBelow are a few of the work and benefits that your admin fee payment is supporting: \n\nHigh speed internet (to allow interviews and classes on-line)\nOnline class systems (Zoom)\nRegistration / admin systems (Eventbrite\, Basecamp)\nCommunication systems to keep everyone informed\, share connection details\, teachings and other resources (Mailchimp)\nOnline storage (for example\, Dropbox\, to allow us to let students watch recordings\, and to store and share selected teachings in other forms such as podcasts and video later\, and Amazon cloud)\nQuality sound\, video and editing equipment (both for live teachings and to provide good enough quality for later sharing as podcasts and video). We are regularly updating our equipment to improve your user experience.\nOnline calendar booking system to allow students to book interviews\nWebsite hosting and maintenance for sharing upcoming courses\, teachings\, blogs and other resources.\n\nWe welcome any questions. May all our efforts be sustainable\, abundant and for the benefit of all beings! \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n Register (Online)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Why Retreat In-Person?\n \nRetreating in person at a retreat center is the best way to retreat – why?\nYou can’t beat live interaction with the Teachers. Being in the same space with clear beings ‘tunes’ you to more wholesome states.\nWe create a welcoming environment and follow a supportive retreat schedule\, based on decades of hosting successful retreats worldwide.\nWe provide wholesome and delicious food so you don’t have to spend time cooking for yourself.\nBreath-taking and restful\, the 300+ acres of natural environment at Clear Sky puts your body and mind at ease and resets your nervous system.\nRetreating at our center gets you out of your usual home environment and routines\, which can be distracting.\nIt’s easier with others! Retreating alongside other meditators (your co-retreatants) is supportive and energy building.\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We work hard to support the online learning experience.\n \nWe have been delivering online offerings since 2012 and are always looking for new ways to optimize your experience.\nClasses are live-streamed and some recordings are available for a certain time.\nHD cameras and professional audio equipment provide high quality video streaming.\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bite Sized Wisdom to inspire your week\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n FacebookThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.First Name*Email*\n \n \n Subscribe \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n These are ancient teachings that I feel are important to understand if someone is serious about meditation. I appreciate Qapel and Sensei’s unrelenting perseverance to teach about the roots and traditions of these life changing practices. They explore the rich history with us and also deliver the material in a very understandable and relevant way. \nJenai LieuPsychology student\, CanadaWorking with Qapel and Sensei at the five day hero’s journey workshop was deeply impactful and has clarified not only my deepest heart’s desire\, but what I need to overcome to manifest it. They are extraordinary facilitators with a great depth of knowledge\, wisdom and presence to share. \nKira MacDuffeeM.Ed / RCCDoing karma yoga\, I watch how everyone gains new insights.  These many “a-ha moments” makes it clear to me that this type of active dharma training is a path that brings the modern spiritual explorer alive and moves them forward. \nDr. Duncan CrylePh.D IBM executive\, Clear Sky Accountability OfficerQapel and Sensei have consistently been honest\, accurate and candid with me. It has sometimes taken me years to admit my self-sabotaging blind spots. Clear and radical self-honesty liberates my sticky parts. Thank you to my master teachers for helping me free up all the energy knots – especially the ones created from unconscious patterning around money\, sex and power. \nEvangelos DiavolitsisMeditation Teacher and Coach\, Four Ways to Freedom. Italy\, Canada.Qapel and Sensei are always burning calories to get you back on a path that can lead toward greater self-awareness. When I am with these two very clear individuals\, I am humbled by their dedication to others\, and understand the every-waking-moment responsibility that comes with their calling. \nPeter UjlakiFine Art Dealer\, Japan \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Awakening today. \nWe offer an ever-evolving modern spiritual path for committed\, courageous seekers. Explore the teachings three ways below: \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In-Person \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Library URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/sadhana-2022/ LOCATION:Clear Sky Meditation & Study Centre\, 3567 Cockell Rd\, Bull River\, British Columbia\, V0B1N0\, Canada CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Retreats ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/chrenrezi-wongkur-action.jpg GEO:49.615543;-115.6300709 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Clear Sky Meditation & Study Centre 3567 Cockell Rd Bull River British Columbia V0B1N0 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=3567 Cockell Rd:geo:-115.6300709,49.615543 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20220114 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20220117 DTSTAMP:20260618T062419Z CREATED:20211104T215243Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260618T062419Z UID:10000609-1642118400-1642377599@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Pārami: Practices for Freedom DESCRIPTION:Pārami: Practices for Freedom\n \n Weekend Retreat | Jan 14-16 2022 \nHow do you act in the world with compassion\, clarity and kindness? Discover the ‘Pārami’ or ‘Pāramitas’\, ancient qualities or ‘perfections’ that open the gateway of freedom in one’s being. This weekend course is offered by Catherine Pawasarat Sensei – in-person at Clear Sky Meditation Center or online. \nThis is an important foundations course for newer Dharma students\, as well as experienced practitioners who wish to learn to teach Dharma Fundamentals. \n  \n  \n  \n Register\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Why Study the Pārami?\nThe Pārami are Practices for Freedom\nWe all have habits. Habits are comfortable! We do them every day\, usually on auto-pilot. The difficulty with habits is that we’re not present. True freedom and well-being come from the degree to which we are present in each moment. By practicing the Pārami\, or the ‘Perfections’\, we experience new ways of engaging with the present moment that bring greater awareness and clarity. This interrupts our habits\, which tend to be self-focused and unconscious. \nWhen practiced in earnest\, and with curiosity\, we learn to apply the perfections in more and more situations.  Over time\, our experience of them deepens and we grow into richer states of freedom year by year. The pārami serve us well for our entire lifetime\, and beyond. \nThere are countless translations of the Paramis\, and they can be practiced in any order: \n\nGenerosity (Dāna)\nEthics (Śīla)\nPatience (Kṣānti)\nEffort (Vīrya)\nConcentration (Dhyāna)\nWisdom and Insight (Prajñā)\n\n  \n\n \n \n \n \n \n A Note on Covid-19 Regulations in Canada\nOur retreats comply with current BC Covid-19 Health Orders.  Please refer to those provincial guidelines as well as the Canadian federal travel guidelines\, especially if you are planning to travel to Clear Sky Center in person. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In this course we will study the Six Pārami of Mahayana Buddhism (and learn how to survive the zombie apocalypse). \n \n \n \n \n \n More Resources on ParamisThe Paramis could be described as ‘assets beyond measure’ – they provide healthy soil for spiritual unfoldment to grow. They keep the ego in check and our hearts open. \n Click Here\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher\n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \nCatherine Pawasarat Sensei is a contemporary Dharma teacher\, attendant\, consort\, co-teacher via Planet Dharma and co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and universal spiritual tools including transpersonal astrology and Japanese arts. \nShe trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan from 1998 until his passing in 2024\, in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. \nMore About Sensei | About the Lineage\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nIt is possible to attend the course in these ways: \n\nOnline Retreat (Registrations open)\nIn-Person Retreat at Clear Sky (Registrations now closed)\n\nEach of the classes in this retreat will be held live at Clear Sky Meditation Centre. There will also be a video streamed live for online participants.   The current class schedule is as follows. \n\nFriday Jan 14th: 7pm MST\nSaturday Jan 15th: 8am MST\, 2pm MST\, 7pm MST\nSunday Jan 16th: 8am MST\, 2pm MSt\n\nWe have arranged class times to be comfortable for most time zones. However we understand that some class times might occur after midnight in some regions\, so please contact us if that is the case for you\, and we will provide a recording so you can catch up on that particular class. \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\nThis course is offered based on the unique combination of 1) dāna  and 2) course fees.   \n\nFor online participants – dāna + an online Admin fee of $100USD.  \nFor in person participants  dāna + Accommodation\, course and meal fees.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n About DānaAbout the Online Admin Fee\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart.” Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity.” With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. \nThe dharma has been built on generosity. No one is excluded for lack of funds. However\, it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able. \nTypically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course. \nAs we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure. Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us. \nIf you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. \nWe're delighted to share that we created a short online course so that you can learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n In a traditional model of in-person teachings\, a retreat center or urban meditation center invites teachers to visit. In these cases the centers have infrastructure and organization costs to cover\, which might be covered by an admin fee. For the teaching itself\, dāna to the teachers is offered in a bowl. This honors both the sustainability of the teachers\, and of the supporting center. \nWe’ve tried to recreate this approach online. The teachers’ time and the teaching themselves are offered on the basis of dāna\, separate to the admin fee. With our dāna offering we are making a direct gift of generosity to the teachers to support their teachings and livelihood. \nThe admin fee* goes to support the infrastructure and organization necessary to support them to teach. As anyone with an online business will know\, the costs of setting up good infrastructure to support effective teaching and connection online can be surprising. \nOur admin fee changes based on the date of registration. \nRegister four + weeks prior: $80 Register two to four weeks prior: $100Register less than two weeks prior: $120 \n*We also do not wish to exclude anyone from the Teachings\, so if you are not currently in a financial position to afford the admin fee\, please contact the course Registrar via registrar@planetdharma.com so we can support you to attend. \n--- \nBelow are a few of the work and benefits that your admin fee payment is supporting: \n\nHigh speed internet (to allow interviews and classes on-line)\nOnline class systems (Zoom)\nRegistration / admin systems (Eventbrite\, Basecamp)\nCommunication systems to keep everyone informed\, share connection details\, teachings and other resources (Mailchimp)\nOnline storage (for example\, Dropbox\, to allow us to let students watch recordings\, and to store and share selected teachings in other forms such as podcasts and video later\, and Amazon cloud)\nQuality sound\, video and editing equipment (both for live teachings and to provide good enough quality for later sharing as podcasts and video). We are regularly updating our equipment to improve your user experience.\nOnline calendar booking system to allow students to book interviews\nWebsite hosting and maintenance for sharing upcoming courses\, teachings\, blogs and other resources.\n\nWe welcome any questions. May all our efforts be sustainable\, abundant and for the benefit of all beings! \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n Register (Attend Online) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Why Retreat In-Person?\n Retreating in person at a retreat center is the best way to retreat – why? \n\nYou can’t beat live interaction with the course Teachers. Being in the same space with clear beings ‘tunes’ you to more wholesome states.\nWe create a welcoming environment and follow a supportive retreat schedule\, based on decades of hosting successful retreats worldwide.\nWholesome and delicious food is provided so you don’t have to spend time cooking for yourself.\nBreath-taking and restful\, natural environment puts your body and mind at ease and resets your nervous system.\nRetreating at our center gets you out of your usual home environment and routines – they can be distracting.\nRetreating with others (your co-retreatants) is incredibly supportive and energy building.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We work hard to support the online learning experience.\n \nWe have been delivering online offerings since 2012 and are always looking for new ways to optimize your experience.\nClasses are live-streamed and some recordings are available for a certain time.\nHD cameras and professional audio equipment provide high quality video streaming.\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n These are ancient teachings that I feel are important to understand if someone is serious about meditation. I appreciate Qapel and Sensei’s unrelenting perseverance to teach about the roots and traditions of these life changing practices. They explore the rich history with us and also deliver the material in a very understandable and relevant way. \nJenai LieuPsychology student\, CanadaWorking with Qapel and Sensei at the five day hero’s journey workshop was deeply impactful and has clarified not only my deepest heart’s desire\, but what I need to overcome to manifest it. They are extraordinary facilitators with a great depth of knowledge\, wisdom and presence to share. \nKira MacDuffeeM.Ed / RCCDoing karma yoga\, I watch how everyone gains new insights.  These many “a-ha moments” makes it clear to me that this type of active dharma training is a path that brings the modern spiritual explorer alive and moves them forward. \nDr. Duncan CrylePh.D IBM executive\, Clear Sky Accountability OfficerQapel and Sensei have consistently been honest\, accurate and candid with me. It has sometimes taken me years to admit my self-sabotaging blind spots. Clear and radical self-honesty liberates my sticky parts. Thank you to my master teachers for helping me free up all the energy knots – especially the ones created from unconscious patterning around money\, sex and power. \nEvangelos DiavolitsisMeditation Teacher and Coach\, Four Ways to Freedom. Italy\, Canada.Qapel and Sensei are always burning calories to get you back on a path that can lead toward greater self-awareness. When I am with these two very clear individuals\, I am humbled by their dedication to others\, and understand the every-waking-moment responsibility that comes with their calling. \nPeter UjlakiFine Art Dealer\, Japan \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bite Sized Wisdom to inspire your week\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n CompanyThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.First Name*Email*\n \n \n Subscribe \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Awakening today. \nWe offer an ever-evolving modern spiritual path for committed\, courageous seekers. Explore the teachings three ways below: \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In-Person \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Library URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/parami-2022/ LOCATION:Clear Sky Meditation & Study Centre\, 3567 Cockell Rd\, Bull River\, British Columbia\, V0B1N0\, Canada CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Retreats ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Parami-1-lowrez-shutterstock.jpeg GEO:49.615543;-115.6300709 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Clear Sky Meditation & Study Centre 3567 Cockell Rd Bull River British Columbia V0B1N0 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=3567 Cockell Rd:geo:-115.6300709,49.615543 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20211025 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20211122 DTSTAMP:20260615T114047Z CREATED:20201120T005052Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260615T114047Z UID:10000438-1635120000-1637539199@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Zen Online Course DESCRIPTION:Zen\n A Four Week Online Course| Starts October 25\, 2021\n Zen-style spiritual realization enters the land of paradoxes. Have you noticed that the ego doesn’t like paradoxes?  Join us for the third online course of 2021\, on Zen. \n  \n OverviewRegistration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Zen – An Online Course\nSpiritual awakening consists of the embodied realization that the ego—our sense of a personal self—is overlaid on top of our direct experience of things as they are. And as such distorts our perception of reality. In fact\, with awakening we realize that the ego isn’t necessary for happiness and can often obstruct it.  \nIt sounds so simple. And teachings about it fill thousands of volumes of texts. \nBut the Buddha himself tried to share with his students this very simple\, direct path that goes from ego struggle to its release\, awakening. \nHow did the Buddha describe it? He merely held up a lotus flower\, in silence. \nWhile most of the attending students waited patiently for the Buddha to begin teaching\, the arahat Mahākāśyapa smiled. He was the only one who understood that the flower was the teaching. As a result of his direct perception\, he’s considered the first patriarch of Zen. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The [Online] course went beyond my expectations\, I feel I learned a lot of new things or new ways of seeing things. The teachers have an incredible way of presenting the themes in a way that makes it easy to understand. They also make the teachings fun and suggest exercises so that you can apply them in your life. \n Irene Arriaza\, Guatemala / Spain\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I was expecting to get pearls of wisdom and I always get far far more. The  teachings always speak directly to me. It is uncanny. It is like hearing a language that I spoke in some other life-form and suddenly it rings a bell. And bell after bell. Like a universal language that we all used to speak but have forgotten\, and now as if a new pathway in the brain has opened up and the signals coming in are making sense! Directly from the cosmos via Doug and Catherine Sensei. \n Renata Drtinova\, Spain / Czechia\n Psychotherapist (Gestalt therapist) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The teachers of Planet Dharma [Online course] aim to provide opportunities to learn from age old teachings while including modern information as they are examples of continuing to learn about the fascinating\, yet troubled world we live in. They help one to develop ideas how to help out society\, live in society and contribute to themselves and others. \n Daniel O'Brien\, USA\n Author\, Japan Series \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Schedule\nStarts October 25\, 2021\nPLEASE NOTE to deepen and integrate your experience\, we are offering three optional weekly Master Classes during the course and an at-home Flash Retreat at the end. See below for more details. \n*We also highly recommend you consider participating in the full Zen Meditation Retreat in December 2021 at Clear Sky Center. \n \n \n \n \n \n Zen Course Class Dates\, 7:30pm MST:\n\nMonday October 25th\nMonday November 1st\nMonday November 8th\nMonday November 15th\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Studying Zen\, Experiencing Zen\nThe Buddha used a simple flower as a teaching of the profound nature of things as they are: so uncomplicated\, so immediate\, and so very difficult to explain. \nSo\, you might ask\, why bother explaining? Why study this? When instead we could just realize it ourselves\, like Mahākāśyapa? \nWe explain because our conventional minds are clouded by ego clinging. This often manifests as conflicting emotions and prejudicial views\, both considered forms of ignorance or confusion about reality. \nFor centuries Zen masters having been holding up flowers and students have been caught in this confusion\, asking questions like\, “What’s that flower got to do with me? Or awakening?” \nThus\, the famous saying about awakening: “With words it cannot be described\, without words it cannot be expressed.” \nYou’ve probably noted that holding up a flower doesn’t use words. \nWe can see how Zen-style spiritual realization enters the land of paradoxes. Rinzai Zen has made these famous with their ko-an mind-bending teachings. Have you noticed that the ego doesn’t like paradoxes? \nAnd spiritual awakening is the ultimate paradox\, described this way:\n“You can see it\,\nBut it is not there!” \nWe invite you to join us for these four online classes on Zen: Monday nights at 19:30 MT\, Oct 25\, Nov 1\, 8\, 15\, followed by a weekend-long flash retreat on Sat and Sun\, Nov 20 and 21. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Study and Meditation Electives\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Master Classes\n \n \n \n \n \n Three Sundays\n \n \n \n \n \n There are weekly Master Classes (akin to online Q&A Office Hours) during this online course to support your deepening learning and practice\, on the following dates at 3pm MST: \n\nSun. October 31\nSun. November 7\nSun. November 14\n\nYou can elect to attend all three or individual dates. \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration & Dana links for Master Classes will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat\n \n \n \n \n \n November 20-21\, 2021\n \n \n \n \n \n Elect to deepen your practice via a Flash Retreat during the last weekend of this course.  The retreat provides practitioners a valuable opportunity to integrate and seal the learnings from the online course\, in a format well suited for our contemporary lives. \nThe retreat will include instructions\, online check ins\, and a Master Class on Sunday\, November 21st. \nWe encourage you to attend this weekend retreat at Clear Sky Centre\, or together with your local sangha\, or if those not available to you\, in your home. \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration and Dana links for the Flash Retreat will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \nSangha power – consider organizing or joining regional in-person or online sangha groups to support one another during the online courses and Flash Retreats.  \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nDoug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nEach of the four weekly classes in this online course will be video streamed live at 7:30pm MST. The recording will be available for one week after each class. \nStudy and Meditation Opportunities in addition to the classes include Master Classes on three Sundays at 3pm MST\, and a Flash Retreat on November 20-21\, 2021. \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\nThis course is offered based on the unique combination of 1) dāna  and 2) a $100 USD administrative fee. Click on the tabs below to learn more: \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About DānaAbout the Online Admin Fee\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart.” Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity.” With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. \nThe dharma has been built on generosity. No one is excluded for lack of funds. However\, it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able. \nTypically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course. \nAs we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure. Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us. \nIf you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. \nWe're delighted to share that we created a short online course so that you can learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n In a traditional model of in-person teachings\, a retreat center or urban meditation center invites teachers to visit. In these cases the centers have infrastructure and organization costs to cover\, which might be covered by an admin fee. For the teaching itself\, dāna to the teachers is offered in a bowl. This honors both the sustainability of the teachers\, and of the supporting center. \nWe’ve tried to recreate this approach online. The teachers’ time and the teaching themselves are offered on the basis of dāna\, separate to the admin fee. With our dāna offering we are making a direct gift of generosity to the teachers to support their teachings and livelihood. \nThe admin fee* goes to support the infrastructure and organization necessary to support them to teach. As anyone with an online business will know\, the costs of setting up good infrastructure to support effective teaching and connection online can be surprising. \nOur admin fee changes based on the date of registration. \nRegister four + weeks prior: $80 Register two to four weeks prior: $100Register less than two weeks prior: $120 \n*We also do not wish to exclude anyone from the Teachings\, so if you are not currently in a financial position to afford the admin fee\, please contact the course Registrar via registrar@planetdharma.com so we can support you to attend. \n--- \nBelow are a few of the work and benefits that your admin fee payment is supporting: \n\nHigh speed internet (to allow interviews and classes on-line)\nOnline class systems (Zoom)\nRegistration / admin systems (Eventbrite\, Basecamp)\nCommunication systems to keep everyone informed\, share connection details\, teachings and other resources (Mailchimp)\nOnline storage (for example\, Dropbox\, to allow us to let students watch recordings\, and to store and share selected teachings in other forms such as podcasts and video later\, and Amazon cloud)\nQuality sound\, video and editing equipment (both for live teachings and to provide good enough quality for later sharing as podcasts and video). We are regularly updating our equipment to improve your user experience.\nOnline calendar booking system to allow students to book interviews\nWebsite hosting and maintenance for sharing upcoming courses\, teachings\, blogs and other resources.\n\nWe welcome any questions. May all our efforts be sustainable\, abundant and for the benefit of all beings! \n  \n \n \n \n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n It has been sheer joy to be a participant in the Foundations of Buddhist Philosophy streamed classes. They made the practice come alive for me and accessible and pertinent to my every-day life. And of course\, I always enjoy Doug and Catherine’s unfailing good humour which put a lighter touch on what can sometimes be a very dry subject. \n Ronda Clanfield\, Canada\n Resources Specialist\, CBC National TV News (retired) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fabulous mindfulness teachers\, presenting a variety of accessible tools for unfolding\, in a mutual\, community inspired way. It’s great that classes can be watched in person\, virtually\, or within a week depending on one’s schedule. Increase the awareness\, compassion\, wisdom\, strength\, and joy in your life! \n Brendan Ries USA / Australia\n Life Coach\, Teacher and Artist \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n[The online classes] are a fantastic tool for me to not get completely lost in Samsara throughout the year\, especially because I don’t live in Canada and cannot be with the teachers so often. I still felt very connected and supported by the Lamas and Sangha. As a result I became much more aware of my state of mind than I would ordinarily.  \n Andrea Netscher\, Germany\n Physiotherapist \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Save the Dates in your Digital Calendar Now\nDownload the course dates to your iCal or Google calendars. If download doesn’t commence\, right click on the button and select ‘save link as’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n + iCal Export (Online Course)\n \n + iCal Export (Master Classes)\n \n + iCal Export (Flash Retreat)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n + Google Calendar (Online Course)\n \n + Google Calendar (Master Classes)\n \n + Google Calendar (Flash Retreat) URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/zen-online-course/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-events-banners.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210925 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20211003 DTSTAMP:20260611T045140Z CREATED:20201228T230303Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T045140Z UID:10000601-1632528000-1633219199@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Seven Rays of Healing with Medicine Buddha (Online + CS & Germany Residential) DESCRIPTION:Seven Rays of Healing with Medicine Buddha\n Meditation Retreat| Sept 25 - Oct 2 2021| Online\, Germany & Canada\n \nThis retreat is an opportunity\, for any meditator\, of any level\, to go deeper to the essence of healing.  Through the Seven Rays of Healing (from the Western Mysteries traditions) and sense based meditations\, discover how to experience deeper foundations of vitality and health.  \n OverviewRegistration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Seven Rays of Healing Retreat\nHow can we heal? How can we feel healthy and whole? \nEvery wisdom tradition around the world holds that true healing comes through an understanding of the nature of reality. Part of this entails learning to discern between—and dance together with—both absolute reality and relative reality. \nThe true challenge of a human life is to be able to live\, work\, love\, and dance in both relative and absolute reality at the same time. One or the other takes the foreground or background as appropriate. The system of the Seven Rays of Healing helps us understand the true nature of relative reality\, while bridging to absolute reality. Then we are ready to experience absolute reality\, primarily through the methodology of meditation. \nWhat are the Seven Rays of Healing?\nThe Seven Rays of Healing use the chakra system of ancient India combined with aspects of Theosophical philosophy. This system helps us understand the different ways we manifest in the world. Moreover\, it helps us learn how to reorient our approach and engagement with the parts of our lives represented by the seven rays\, to embody greater love\, compassion and understanding. In other words\, it helps us learn to realize our spiritual essence. \nUsing meditation\, creative\, and somatic exercises\, we’ll bring relative and absolute realities together within one’s own being\, to manifest the heart and mind of spiritual realization. \nMedicine Buddha Empowerment\nOn the last day of the retreat\, there will also be a special Medicine Buddha empowerment given. According to Mahayana teachings\, the Medicine Buddha cures all diseases\, including those of ignorance. Its function is to free living beings from the three mental poisons\, hatred\, greed and confusion.  \nTo make an offering and download the prayer booklet for the empowerment click here or use the button below. \nThis is your opportunity to meet and study with Dharma Teachers and Spiritual Mentors\, Qapel and Sensei.  \nThis retreat will be held in the heart of Germany\, in Schannenbach\, 60km from Frankfurt and Heidelburg\, \nAs well at our magnificent Clear Sky Retreat Centre\, Canada and Online. \n \n \n Register Here\n \n Get Prayer Booklet\n \n \n \n \n \n To register for the in person retreat in Germany please email Andrea Netscher at andreaomtare@me.com. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What to Bring\nTo facilitate your meditations on the senses\, there are some items we ask you to bring to the retreat.  Please register as soon as possible so you have time to prepare those items. The list will be sent to registrants soon after registering. \n \n \n \n \n \n The retreat in Germany will be held at a lovely place called “Haus Sonnentau” which means “House Sundew”. Check out the place for yourself. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Do Previous Retreatants Say?\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n During retreats with Doug and Catherine I was led to confront hidden parts of myself\, unaware that they were affecting me so deeply. Shadow work helped me acknowledge new strengths and wisdom that were within me all along. After retreat I left feeling freer and more confident about my spiritual practice. \n Shant Dolbakian\, Toronto\n Video Producer\, SD.com Toronto \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n My recent retreat experience has been incredibly beautiful\, challenging and transformative. The teachers are an inspiration in all ways. \n Ava MacLean\, British Columbia\n Communications Professional\, AvaMacLean.com \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n It is one thing to hear or read the Dharma and understand it intellectually. This retreat went so much further than that\, as I found myself receiving realizations of the teachings on a visceral basis\, going far beyond simply understanding. \n Bob Abramms\n Founder\, ODT Maps \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n **Covid-19 Update: This retreat now has three retreat options – live at Clear Sky\, live in Germany\, or as an online retreatant \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\n\nDāna\nThis course is offered by Qapel & Sensei based on the ancient principle of generosity\, or Dāna. You may have come across this is the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s their joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match their time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy. \n \n \n \n \n \n \nDaily Schedule\n\nDaily Class & Teachings: 5pm in Germany\, 9am MST\nMeditation (Q&A) : 10.00pm in Germany\, 2.00pm MST\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Fees\n\nOnline Retreatant Admin Fee: CA$200 (approx € 135)\n\n \n\nGermany Residential Fee: €695 (includes Food\, Accommodation & technical support).   \n \n\n \n\nClear Sky Residential Fees (Incl. Food & Accomodation – please contact Clear Sky via the registration button below. \n\nTeachers receive no income from these administration fees. They offer their teaching on the basis of generosity\, or Dāna\, which you will have an opportunity to give when you register. \n \n Register Here\n \n \n \n \n \n To register for the in person retreat in Germany please email Andrea Netscher at andreaomtare@me.com. \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What’s Expected of Me if I join this Retreat?\n \n \n \n \n \n An open mind and heart\, and a spirit of adventure are excellent things to bring! \nIt’s human to have some apprehensions about doing something new\, meeting new people\, or going to a new place. Particularly when all three happen together. We try to make this as supportive as possible. \nWhen exploring our growth edges\, it’s natural to feel uncertain and awkward. And it’s very fruitful to transform that emotional tension into creative energy by drawing on your own inner resources – such as inquiry\, going with the flow\, and self-reflection\, just a few of the many kinds of constructive engagement. \nTo maximize your experience\, we ask that you refrain from reading\, using the internet or listening to music during the course. We make an exception for journaling\, course assignments and group celebration. \nLastly\, our teachers Quapel and Sensei operate based on the ancient tradition of Dana or Generosity. Please learn more about this profound practice before you register. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/seven-rays-of-healing-with-medicine-buddha-retreat-in-germany/ LOCATION:Haus Sonnentau\, Am Hochmoor 16\, Lautertal (Odenwald)\, Schannenbach\, 64686\, Germany CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Retreats ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/medicine-buddha-banner.png ORGANIZER;CN="Andrea Netscher":MAILTO:andreaomtare@me.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210821 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210901 DTSTAMP:20260610T063216Z CREATED:20210316T221019Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260610T063216Z UID:10000443-1629504000-1630454399@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Dzogchen Meditation Retreat - Opening to the Clear Light of the Mind (Online & UK Residential) DESCRIPTION:Opening to the Clear Light of the Mind\n Dzogchen Meditation Retreat (Online/UK Residential/At Clear Sky)\n August 21-31\, 2021\nBeneath the confusion and distraction of our minds\, the Mind itself is empty\, spontaneous and compassionate.  The practice of Dzogchen helps us cut right through the confusion to this original\, pure and luminous nature of Mind.   \nThis retreat\, with meditation masters Acharya Doug Duncan And Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\, is for any meditator looking to go deeper to the essence of practice.   \n OverviewRegistration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dzogchen\nThe Natural State \nThe Three Words that Strike the Vital Point is one of the principal teachings of the practice of Dzogchen\, the Great Perfection.  Patrul Rinpoche’s Special Teaching of the Wise and Glorious King\, with commentary\, is treasured as one of the most crucial instructions in the practice of Dzogchen. It’s pith teachings give simple yet deeply profound guidance on directly recognizing the mind’s innate purity and clarity. \nIn the confusion of our times\, a myriad of teachings and techniques surround us. The direct teachings of Dzogchen offer a refreshing clarity. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Opening to the Clear Light of the Mind\nDzogchen Meditation Retreat  \n(Online/ UK Residential / At Clear Sky) 21 – 31 August 2021\n    \n  \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n**See ‘Covid-19 Retreat Modifications’ below photos: Online and UK Residential Retreat \n(Updated June 20\, 2021)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “How wonderful!  Nothing whatsoever\, a glaring openness.  An openness that is penetrating; a penetrating openness that is indescribable … \nDirect recognition within yourself; that is the first vital point.” \n— Patrul Rinpoche from The three words that strike the vital point\, a root text expounding Garab Dorje’s teachings on Dzogchen – the Great Perfection. \n \n \n \n \n \n Why do a Retreat on Dzogchen?\nRelaxing the mind\, dropping words\, the practice leads us towards an experience of profound openness.  From this place of clarity and origin\, new perspectives can arise.  We gain confidence founded on our own direct experience that wisdom and compassion are possible\, and in fact an inherent part of our nature.  Learning to rest more and more in this inherent nature of mind lets us bring this experience of openness into every moment\, transforming how we live and act.   \nFrom daily life to Dzogchen can be a sudden step\, so as well as the teachings of the Three Words\, the Teachers will draw on another key text: the ‘Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness’ a treatise by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamsto Rinpoche\, to help gain a deeper understanding. \nDrawing on decades of personal practice and teaching experience\, Acharya Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei will lead you with practical experiential exercises and humour\, explore the nature of Mind beyond the surface confusions. \n \n Register Here\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Covid 19 Retreat Modifications\nA silver lining of Covid-19 travel restrictions is that this retreat will now be accessible to an international audience. With the teachers not travelling beyond BC\, Canada this year\, we are offering an online option for this retreat. For those who can join us at Maitreya House in the UK\, there will be an in-person group retreat. Both options will have live streamed classes and meditations. \n \n \n \n \n \n What’s Expected of Me if I Sign Up for This Retreat?\n \n \n \n \n \n  The Course \n\nAn open mind and heart\, and a spirit of adventure are excellent things to bring!\nIt’s human to have some apprehensions about doing something new\, meeting new people online\, or going to a new place. Particularly when all three happen together. We try to make this as supportive as possible.\nWhen exploring our growth edges\, it’s natural to feel uncertain and awkward. And it’s very fruitful to transform that emotional tension into creative energy by drawing on your own inner resources – such as inquiry\, going with the flow\, and self-reflection\, just a few of the many kinds of constructive engagement.\nTo maximize your retreat experience\, we ask that you refrain from reading\, using the internet\, phone or listening to music during the course.\n\n \nMore info   \n \n\nThe retreat is hosted by Planet Dharma & Dharma Europe. \nThese teachings operate on the basis of the ancient tradition of dāna or generosity. Please learn more about this profound practice before you register. \nWe aspire that no-one is excluded from hearing the Dharma due to lack of funds.  If you are unable to afford this admin fee\, please contact Jonathan to discuss options.\n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Online Retreat\nBasic requirements to do the retreat online:· Block out the ten days and be focused on the retreat for this entire period\, using this time and participating in the retreat as if you were at the retreat centre in person. This includes a rigorous\, full\, daily meditation schedule.· Participate in all of the daily classes and group practices via online streaming.· Set up a quiet space or location where you can focus on the Meditation Retreat\, and not need to engage in conversation or work with others.· Put away your phone\, digital devices and other distractions.· If there are enough people in the same time zone as you\, you could also make a cohort to meet and do group practice throughout the retreat. \nThe Teachers\, Dharma Europe and Clear Sky Retreat centre from which classes will be streamed\,  all operate based on the ancient tradition of dāna or generosity. Please learn more about this profound practice before you register. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n UK Residential Retreat – Attending in person at Maitreya House\n· Maitreya House is a beautiful retreat centre located in the golden valley\, a remote part of Herefordshire\, near the Welsh border in the United Kingdom.· Learn more about the retreat location: Maitreya House.· There will be appropriate Covid 19 protocols followed on this retreat – with numbers limited to 12 people at Maitreya House.· The retreat is hosted by Dharma Europe.· The teachers and Dharma Europe operate on the basis of the ancient tradition of dāna or generosity. Please learn more about this profound practice before you register. \nFor UK and general enquiries contact Jonathan Clifford\,dharmaeurope@outlook.com +44 7891 621865. \nIn-person at Clear Sky\nIf you are local to Clear Sky in BC\, Canada you may also choose to be onsite in person to where the teachers are streaming from.  We invite you to book a personal retreat cabin for the duration of the retreat.  See here for details.  Or contact us the Clear Sky team to discuss other options. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. Achariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. Catherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Do Previous Retreatants Say?\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n World class teachings from world class people! Doug and Catherine Sensei are the real deal and they ultimately want one thing for you – to guide you toward awakening with totality and intelligence. Planet Dharma’s steadfast\, professional commitment to meet the needs of seekers today is impressive. What a precious gift to have access to these wisdom teachings and practices from anywhere in the world; Live online and in connection with others as well as on-demand courses and podcasts. Clear Sky in-person immersions set in a pristine landscape offer the opportunity to come back to center while having the support of an established compassionate sangha to help deepen the experience. So grateful for having met this community!Florence\, Italy \n Nishta Matarese\, Italy\n Transformational Coach & Open Floor Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ancient teaching that I feel is important to understand if someone was serious about meditation practice. I appreciate the teachers\, Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat\, unrelenting perseverance to teach about the roots and traditions of these rich practices. These practices are life changing\, so it is great that we can have teachers that will explore the rich history with us\, and deliver the material in a very understandable and relevant way. \n Jenai Lieu\, Canada\n Psychology student \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I recommend these down to earth teachers bringing dharma to the planet. It’s great that classes can be watched in person\, virtually\, or within a week depending on one`s schedule. Increase the awareness\, compassion\, wisdom\, strength\, and joy in your life! \n Brendan Ries\, Australia\n Life coach\, teacher & artist \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nFees and Dāna\nThis course is run based on the ancient principle of generosity\, or Dāna\, as well as an administration fee. \n\nOnline Retreatant Admin Fee: CA$250\nUK Residential Admin Fee CA$250 (Approx £150) plus\nUK  Residential Fees £550 (Inc. Food & Accommodation)\nClear Sky Residential Fees (Inc. Food & Accomodation – please contact Clear Sky via the registration button below.\nTeachers receive no income from these administration fees. They offer their teaching on the basis of generosity\, or Dāna\, which you will have an opportunity to give when you register.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Please register here: \n \n Registration URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/clear-light-retreat-uk-2021/ LOCATION:Maitreya House\, Lower Maes-coed\, Hereford\, England\, HR2 0HP\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Retreats ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Clear-Light-retreat-banners.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Dharma Europe - Jonathan Clifford":MAILTO:dharmaeurope@outlook.com GEO:51.9720215;-2.9511638 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Maitreya House Lower Maes-coed Hereford England HR2 0HP United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Lower Maes-coed:geo:-2.9511638,51.9720215 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210813 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210816 DTSTAMP:20260610T063350Z CREATED:20210614T161842Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260610T063350Z UID:10000610-1628812800-1629071999@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Clear Sky's Sweet 16th Anniversary with Tantric Empowerments DESCRIPTION:Clear Sky's Sweet 16 & Tantric Empowerments\n Weekend Celebration | August 13-15\n In Vajrayana Buddhism\, initiations\, empowerments or wongkur (Tib. དབང་\, wang) are considered the spring from which all blessings flow. Join us for three empowerments\, during a weekend of joy to celebrate our retreat centre’s 16th anniversary. \nImportant Note: \nOnline registrations close by August 10th \nIn person registrations close by August 3rd  \n  \n OverviewRegister\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebration & Tantric Empowerments\n\n\n\nCelebration time! Covid-19 travel restrictions threw a wrench in our plans for Clear Sky’s 15th Anniversary and ten day Tantric Deep Dive in 2020\, as well as in 2021.  We’ve adjusted the programming so that community can come together from anywhere in the world for a three day celebration instead. It will be online\, *and if health restrictions ease\, possibly in person as well. \nTo fete Doug Sensei’s 72nd year\, together with 16 remarkable years at Clear Sky we invite you to join us for three empowerments. \nThese empowerments give you an energetic blessing\, and access to practice mantra and visualisation of different transcendental archetypes from the Himalayan schools of Buddhism. \nOver the weekend\, we will celebrate Clear Sky’s 16th anniversary – sharing our community’s stories from past and present as well as future visions..  The three wongkur empowerments will be interspersed throughout the weekend. \nHeld at Clear Sky\, a 21st-century model for innovative awakening\, situated in the beautiful B.C. Rocky Mountains. \n  \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Empowerments Offered\n\nGreen Tara\nAmitayus\nVajrapani Hayagriva Garuda\n\nThese empowerments are open to the general public (live attendance).  They are special ceremonies that are best experienced in person. However\, if you cannot come live\,  we ask that you have attended events with us in the past\, or have some experience with vajrayana deity practice. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 16th Anniversary and Tantric Empowerments Weekend Schedule*\n*exact times being confirmed. \nFriday Schedule – August 13th \n\nArrival time: 11am Friday August 13th (onsite participants)\n4pm Green Tara Empowerment [available online]\n7:30pm Anniversary Opening and Japanese Cocktail Party with the Teachers. [available online]\n\nSaturday Schedule – August 14th \n\n9:30am-11:30am MST: Catherine Sensei presenting on the History of Clear Sky [available online]\n4pm Amitayus Empowerment [available online]\n7:30pm: Community Sharing Open Mic [available online]\n8:30pm: Dancing [available online]\n\nSunday Schedule – August 15th \n\n9:30-11:00am: Looking to the Future – Community visioning and temple update [available online].\n4pm Vajrapani Hayagriva Garuda Empowerment [available online]\nCelebrations officially end with the wongkur on Sunday afternoon. There is also the option to stay for dinner.\n\nOnline Participants Wongkur Orientation \n\n2pm MST (Tentative. Time to be confirmed) before each wongkur on Friday\, Saturday and Sunday.\n24 hour online practice rooms will be available.\n\nParticipants coming onsite for empowerments only \n\nPlease register online and arrive by 3pm MST before each empowerment. Please also call 250-429-3929 to confirm we have received your registration.\n\n \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n   \nParticipants coming onsite for empowerments only \n\nIf you would like to come to the empowerments only\, but not the anniversary weekend\, please register online and arrive by 3pm MST before each empowerment. Please also call 250-429-3929 to confirm we have received your registration and details.\n\n \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What are Vajrayana Empowerments (aka Wongkur)?\n \n \n \n \n \n Namgyal Rinpoche\, our lineage root guru\, put it best: \nIn the depth of the psyche lie all possibilities in a state of unrealized potential. In every being there exists the possibility of experiencing transcendental consciousness\, which when the student is ready\, the Teacher(s) can make accessible to him or her via empowerment\, initiation\, or wongkur. \nOne should regard Wongkur as an event in which the Lama sows the seed of transcendental consciousness in the depth of the student. The seed will lie in the unconscious until the student brings it to realization in the practice of meditation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Empowerments Offered\n\nGreen Tara\nAmitayus\nVajrapani Hayagriva Garuda\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Suggested Reading\nWe highly recommend you read What is Wong Kur – Explanations by Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche and H.H. Sakya Trizin” compiled by Wesley Knapp\, prior to registering for this retreat. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Clear Sky’s 16th Anniversary\nA Weekend Celebration\nAugust 13-15\, 2021 \nJoin us in-person for the weekend\, or if you can’t make it live\, for the online celebration. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Countless hands have contributed to building our incredible center\, Clear Sky. It is with deep gratitude that we excitedly share this opportunity to join in celebration\, connection and growth. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Location: Clear Sky Center\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nLocated in the BC rocky mountains\, Clear Sky offers over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature. Founded by Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat\, the centre is home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world.\nHow to get there\, what to bring and other FAQ about Clear Sky\nBooking a flight? Airport pickups can be booked when you register for the retreat. In the event that this retreat is cancelled\, we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Friday Schedule \n\nArrival time: 11am \nOrientation & Welcome: 11:30am\n12:20pm: Lunch\n4pm: Green Tara Empowerment\n\nOnline Participants Wongkur Orientation \n\n2pm MST (Tentative. Time to be confirmed) before each wongkur on Friday\, Saturday and Sunday.\n\n \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. Achariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. Catherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Do Previous Retreatants Say?\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Through the power of long dedication\, deep meditation\, and wise guidance\, life can definitely be transformed. If you get a chance to study with Doug-sensei and Catherine\, don’t miss it. This kind of spiritual guidance and down to earth work have deeply shifted many people’s lives and led to deep awakenings. \n Paul Jaffe\,USA\n Retired Professor & Meditation Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug and Catherine Sensei are living examples of the dharma teachings.  In their presence\, they have the ability to put me at ease and their teachings (somewhat mysteriously) become alive and intimate. I trust in their one-pointed focus on whatever it takes to speed their students unrealized potential. \n Laura Montgomery\, Canada\n Counsellor & Mum of Two \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n It is one thing to hear or read the Dharma and understand it intellectually. This retreat went so much further than that\, as I found myself receiving realizations of the teachings on a visceral basis\, going far beyond simply understanding. \n Bob Abraamms\n Founder\, ODT Maps \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Event Details\nFees and Dāna\nThis two night\, three day celebration package at Clear Sky retreat center includes accommodation and all meals. There are cabin\, shared and tenting accommodation options available. Click on the registration link for details and pricing. \nFor online participants\, there is a $75 administration fee to cover administrative and other costs of hosting the online empowerments and anniversary.  \n \n \n \n \n \n Register Here for the Weekend: \n \n 16th Anniversary weekend (In-Person)\n \n 16th Anniversary weekend (online)\n \n \n \n \n \n Empowerments Registration\nAfter registering for the 16th anniversary weekend\, please register for each empowerment individually via the buttons below.  If you cannot attend the whole weekend it is also possible to attend individual empowerments. \nWe highly recommend that you attend these empowerments in person. They are very special events and transmissions where live attendance gives you the full experience. If you cannot attend in person\, but have attended events with us in the past\, or have done vajrayana deity practice in the past\, it is possible to attend online. \nThese empowerments are offered by Doug and Catherine Sensei through the ancient principle of generosity\, or Dāna. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n Empowerments Schedule\n\nGreen Tara: 4:00pm MST Friday August 13th\nAmitayus: 4:00pm MST Saturday August 14th\nVajrapani Hayagriva Garuda: 4:00pm MST Sunday August 15th\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Empowerments:\n \n Green Tara Empowerment\n \n Amitayus Empowerment\n \n Vajrapani Hayagriva Garuda Empowerment URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/clear-skys-sweet-16th-anniversary-with-tantric-empowerments/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Retreats END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210619 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210626 DTSTAMP:20260606T054819Z CREATED:20201008T235024Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260606T054819Z UID:10000434-1624060800-1624665599@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Exploring the Bardo of Now - Meditation Retreat (Online) DESCRIPTION:Exploring the Bardo of Now\n Meditation Retreat (Online) | June 19-25\, 2021\n Bardos relate to both living and dying\, creating and dissolving.  In 2020\, we collectively had the rug pulled out from underneath us by the COVID-19 virus. During this retreat\, we will investigate the bardos and what they can teach us about life and impermanence. \n*Due to the ever-changing travel restrictions\, globally and in Canada\, this course is now offered online.   \n OverviewRegistration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Exploring the Bardo of Now\nDuring this retreat\, we will investigate the bardos and what they can teach us about ordinary life. We’ll draw on Vajrayana Buddhism\, contemporary psychology and modern exploration practices to learn how to make peace with the bardos and live more fully in the present moment.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free Infographic: What Happens to Consciousness During the Death Process?\nAdd your information below to receive the infographic. You will also get amazing dharma content from Planet Dharma\, directly to your email inbox. We promise not to spam!\n \n EmailThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.First Name*Email Address*\n \n Sign-up Location\n Download Now \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Why Exploring the Bardo of Now?\n\nJune 19-25\, 2021 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Why a meditation retreat on the Bardos?\n \n \n \n \n \n Bardos relate to both living and dying\, creating and dissolving.  Bardos can appear at any time\, and may make us feel we have lost all of our stability and reference points. However\, they also offer us an opportunity to explore what is dying and prepare for a new birth. \n Bardo study is relevant to people of all ages\, regardless how old they are or how close to dying they are. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Who is this retreat ideal for?\n \n \n \n \n \n This retreat is ideal for relatively new students who are interested in exploring Buddhist principles that include both Eastern and Western views of death and impermanence. It will appeal to students of the Positive Death movement. Is is also ideal for AIT students who cannot travel to BC as often as they like to\, given the pandemic situation. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What’s Expected of Me if I Come to This Retreat?\n \n \n \n \n \n The Course \n\nAn open mind and heart\, and a spirit of adventure are excellent things to bring!\nIt’s human to have some apprehensions about doing something new\, meeting new people\, or going to a new place. Particularly when all three happen together. We try to make this as supportive as possible.\nWhen exploring our growth edges\, it’s natural to feel uncertain and awkward. And it’s very fruitful to transform that emotional tension into creative energy by drawing on your own inner resources – such as inquiry\, going with the flow\, and self-reflection\, just a few of the many kinds of constructive engagement.\nTo maximize your retreat experience\, we ask that you refrain from reading\, using the internet\, phone or listening to music during the course.\nStudents are expected to be silent during the silent parts of the retreat\, and participate in all classes\, group meditations\, activities\, and discussions. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nDoug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. Achariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. Catherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Lina Hochstetler\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Lama Linda (Linda Hochstetler) has studied both mindfulness meditation and Vajrayana Buddhism for more than 20 years. She trained in mindfulness meditation with Jon Kabat-Zinn in the 90’s\, and studied under Namgyal Rinpoche (the first Canadian-born Rinpoche) from 1995 until his death in 2003. She received permission to teach in the Namgyal lineage in 2014\, and currently studies Vajrayana Buddhism with Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat. Silent meditation retreats are a central part of her study and practice\, and since 1995\, she has completed retreats of between 1 week and 2 months in length every year. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Do Previous Retreatants Say?\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I attended two retreats led by Doug Sensei. Both were life-changing experiences. During the retreats I was led to confront hidden parts of myself\, unaware that they were affecting me so deeply. Shadow work helped me accept and integrate parts of myself that I had rejected\, and also to acknowledge new strengths and wisdom that were within me all along. After each retreat I left feeling freer and more confident about my spiritual practice. \n Shant Dolbakian\, Toronto\n Video producer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The retreat helped me to access both my strengths and my dark shadow side that interfere with my reaching my fullest potential. Now I am able to better integrate these two parts of myself\, allowing both to unfold\, rather than one suppressing the other. Making both sides more explicit\, more conscious in this retreat\, I lost some fears I didn’t know I had\, and I continue to use the tools today\, a few years later. \n Lisa Feder\, US / France\n Ph.D Cultural Anthropologist and Ethnomusicologist \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ancient teaching that I feel is important to understand if someone was serious about meditation practice. I appreciate the teachers\, Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat\, unrelenting perseverance to teach about the roots and traditions of these rich practices. These practices are life changing\, so it is great that we can have teachers that will explore the rich history with us\, and deliver the material in a very understandable and relevant way. \n Jenai Lieu\, Calgary Alberta \n Psychology student \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nFees and Dāna\nThis course is offered based on the unique combination of 1) dāna  and 2) a $200 CAD administrative fee. Click on the tabs below to learn more: \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About DānaAbout the Online Admin Fee\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart.” Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity.” With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. \nThe dharma has been built on generosity. No one is excluded for lack of funds. However\, it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able. \nTypically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course. \nAs we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure. Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us. \nIf you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. \nWe're delighted to share that we created a short online course so that you can learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n In a traditional model of in-person teachings\, a retreat center or urban meditation center invites teachers to visit. In these cases the centers have infrastructure and organization costs to cover\, which might be covered by an admin fee. For the teaching itself\, dāna to the teachers is offered in a bowl. This honors both the sustainability of the teachers\, and of the supporting center. \nWe’ve tried to recreate this approach online. The teachers’ time and the teaching themselves are offered on the basis of dāna\, separate to the admin fee. With our dāna offering we are making a direct gift of generosity to the teachers to support their teachings and livelihood. \nThe admin fee* goes to support the infrastructure and organization necessary to support them to teach. As anyone with an online business will know\, the costs of setting up good infrastructure to support effective teaching and connection online can be surprising. \nOur admin fee changes based on the date of registration. \nRegister four + weeks prior: $80 Register two to four weeks prior: $100Register less than two weeks prior: $120 \n*We also do not wish to exclude anyone from the Teachings\, so if you are not currently in a financial position to afford the admin fee\, please contact the course Registrar via registrar@planetdharma.com so we can support you to attend. \n--- \nBelow are a few of the work and benefits that your admin fee payment is supporting: \n\nHigh speed internet (to allow interviews and classes on-line)\nOnline class systems (Zoom)\nRegistration / admin systems (Eventbrite\, Basecamp)\nCommunication systems to keep everyone informed\, share connection details\, teachings and other resources (Mailchimp)\nOnline storage (for example\, Dropbox\, to allow us to let students watch recordings\, and to store and share selected teachings in other forms such as podcasts and video later\, and Amazon cloud)\nQuality sound\, video and editing equipment (both for live teachings and to provide good enough quality for later sharing as podcasts and video). We are regularly updating our equipment to improve your user experience.\nOnline calendar booking system to allow students to book interviews\nWebsite hosting and maintenance for sharing upcoming courses\, teachings\, blogs and other resources.\n\nWe welcome any questions. May all our efforts be sustainable\, abundant and for the benefit of all beings! \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Please register here: \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Also See the Presentation on Buddhist End of Life Contemplative Care (February 6th 2021): Buddhist perspectives on end of life speakers series. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free Infographic: What Happens to Consciousness During the Death Process?\nAdd your information below to receive the infographic. You will also get amazing dharma content from Planet Dharma\, directly to your email inbox. We promise not to spam!\n \n InstagramThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.First Name*Email Address*\n \n Sign-up Location\n Download Now \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/bardo-retreat-2021/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Retreats ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Bardos.jpeg ORGANIZER;CN="Awaken in Toronto":MAILTO:info@awakenintoronto.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210604 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210607 DTSTAMP:20260619T051605Z CREATED:20210408T232929Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260619T051605Z UID:10000445-1622764800-1623023999@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Buddhist Women in the 2020's (Online Course) DESCRIPTION:Buddhist Women in the 2020's\n Stepping into greater awakening potential\n While there may be frustration\, grief and rage about historical gender inequity in Buddhism\, we can use Buddhist methodologies to transform these conflicting emotions into greater compassion and wisdom.  \nJoin Catherine Pawasarat Sensei for this course\, hosted by Menla\, on how we can adapt and shift our traditional perceptions of gender as Buddhist practitioners. \nAll are welcome. \nImage: Thangka of Yeshe Tsogyal\, fully awakened consort of Padmasambhava.  © C. Pawasarat \n Register Here\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Menla Online Course \nBuddhist Women in the 2020’s\nStepping into greater awakening potential\n \n \n \n \n \n Gender Perceptions in the Buddhist World in the 2020’s\nAs classic Buddhist teachings emerge in the global mainstream\, it adapts to cultures where women enjoy relative equality with men. In such contexts many practitioners may naturally feel that women and men have the same opportunities to awaken. \nHistorically\, however\, birth in a female body was considered the result of bad karma\, and the lowest and youngest monks enjoyed greater formal status than the most realized nun. Western women and men are unlikely to embrace this part of Buddhist tradition.  \nThis confluence of cultures presents a transition ripe with opportunity. While there may be frustration\, grief and rage about historical gender inequity in Buddhism\, we can use Buddhist methodologies to transform these conflicting emotions into greater compassion and wisdom. \nFurthermore\, we can re-examine how different Mahayana and Theravadin practices—from Tantra to celibacy—can foster healthier sexuality. We can use sex scandals and discrimination as part of our practice\, to cultivate more integrated views and relations among all genders. Along the way\, we co-create what global spiritual awakening looks like in the 20th century. \nCatherine Pawasarat Sensei\, a contemporary dharma teacher\, attendant\, consort\, co-teacher via Planet Dharma and co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center shares her unique views\, experience\, and practices regarding this contemporary and planetary Triple Gem. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Photo © D. Steinbock \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher\n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \nCatherine Pawasarat Sensei is a contemporary Dharma teacher\, attendant\, consort\, co-teacher via Planet Dharma and co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and universal spiritual tools including transpersonal astrology and Japanese arts. \nShe trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan from 1998 until his passing in 2024\, in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. \nMore About Sensei | About the Lineage\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nFees and Dāna\nThis course is offered by Menla\, NY. There are three price tiers:  Sponsor – $150\, Individual – $108 and Reduced – $78. \nRegistration\nTo attend\, please register via the button below. This course and the free talk Buddhist Women in the 2020’s – Introduction (May 27\, 2021) are both hosted by Menla Online. \n \n \n \n \n \n Dates & Times\nLocation: Online at these times: \n\nFriday\, June 4th:\n\n5-6pm MST (7-8pm EST)\n\n\nSaturday June 5th:\n\n9-10:30am MST (11am-12:30 EST)\n2-3:30pm MST (4-5:30pm EST)\n\n\nSunday June 6th:\n\n9-10:30 MST (11am-12:30 EST)\n2-3:30 MST (4-5:30pm EST)\n\n\n\n \n Register Here\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Green Tara Guided Meditation\n by Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | Tantra Visualization \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Green Tara Guided Meditation (Free Audio)\nAdd your information below to receive the guided meditation of Green Tara and other dharma content from Planet Dharma. This Green Tara sadhana is shared by Catherine Pawasarat Sensei. When you join our list\, we will be kind to your inbox. \n \n PhoneThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.First Name*Email Address*\n \n Sign-up Location\n Listen Now \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Troubleshooting: Sometimes this button may not look like you’ve pushed it. However\, you most likely have and we have received your request. If you don’t hear from us within an hour\, please let us know via mailings@planetdharma.com and we’ll make sure you get access. Thank you for your patience. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are so blessed to have Sensei as one of the dedicated teachers at Clear Sky. I admire her continued commitment to helping us and others on the planet and I am awed by her abilities. Glad you are not hiding them under a basket. Thank you so much for the time you give so generously to talk\, touch one on the shoulder\, listen and speak truth. \nDan O'BrianAuthor\, Japan SeriesSensei has an unwavering compassion and commitment to support and accelerate the unfoldment of all beings around her.\nIt is a blessing and a privilege to be one of the lucky few who can bask in the glow of this radiance. \nDave Basu RoyChef\, food business strategist and socialpreneurSensei is an inspirational woman and I am blessed to walk this earth beside her. \nMaya LewandowskyArtistic Director and Vocal CoachMuch love\, gratitude and appreciation to Sensei for the incredible woman\, teacher and human being that she is. Thank you for being a true light and inspiration in this world. \nRuth Naomi LevinMFA\, Small Business Owner\, Movement Teacher & Performing ArtistGratitude to Sensei for lighting up our love lives with her fire. \nEvangelos DiavolitisMeditation Teacher and Coach\, Four Ways to Freedom. Italy\, Canada. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/buddhist-women-2020s-menla-course/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Public Classes ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/buddhist-women-2020s-500x500-1.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Menla Online":MAILTO:Frontdesk@Menla.Org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20210527T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20210527T180000 DTSTAMP:20260620T054230Z CREATED:20210408T212405Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260620T054230Z UID:10000444-1622134800-1622138400@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Buddhist Women in the 2020's (Introduction) DESCRIPTION:Buddhist Women in the 2020's: Introduction\n Stepping into greater awakening potential\n While there may be frustration\, grief and rage about historical gender inequity in Buddhism\, we can use Buddhist methodologies to transform these conflicting emotions into greater compassion and wisdom. \nJoin Catherine Pawasarat Sensei for this talk\, hosted by Menla\, on how we can adapt and shift our traditional perceptions of gender as Buddhist practitioners. \nImage: Thangka of Yeshe Tsogyal\, fully awakened consort of Padmasambhava.  © C. Pawasarat \n Register Here\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Menla Online Talk \nBuddhist Women in the 2020’s\nStepping into greater awakening potential\n \n \n \n \n \n Gender Perceptions in the Buddhist World in the 2020’s\nJoin Catherine Pawasarat Sensei for this one hour class\, a prelude to her weekend course Buddhist Women in the 2020’s. \nAs classic Buddhist teachings emerge in the global mainstream\, it adapts to cultures where women enjoy relative equality with men. In such contexts many practitioners may naturally feel that women and men have the same opportunities to awaken. \nHistorically\, however\, birth in a female body was considered the result of bad karma\, and the lowest and youngest monks enjoyed greater formal status than the most realized nun. Western women and men are unlikely to embrace this part of Buddhist tradition.  \nThis confluence of cultures presents a transition ripe with opportunity. While there may be frustration\, grief and rage about historical gender inequity in Buddhism\, we can use Buddhist methodologies to transform these conflicting emotions into greater compassion and wisdom. \nCatherine Pawasarat Sensei\, a contemporary dharma teacher\, attendant\, consort\, co-teacher via Planet Dharma and co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center shares her unique views\, experience\, and practices regarding this contemporary and planetary Triple Gem. \nTime: 5-6pm MST / 7-8PM ESTLocation: Online \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Photo: © D. Steinbock \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher\n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat Sensei \nCatherine Pawasarat Sensei is a contemporary Dharma teacher\, attendant\, consort\, co-teacher via Planet Dharma and co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and universal spiritual tools including transpersonal astrology and Japanese arts. \nShe trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan from 1998 until his passing in 2024\, in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. \nMore About Sensei | About the Lineage\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nFees and Dāna\nThis talk is hosted by Menla Online free of charge. \nWe also invite you to practice generosity\, or Dāna  to Catherine Sensei directly here: Offer Dāna  \nRegistration\nTo attend\, please register via the button below. This free talk and the full course\, Buddhist Women in the 2020’s (June 4-6\, 2021)\, are both hosted by Menla Online. \n  \n \n Register Here\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Green Tara Guided Meditation\n by Catherine Pawasarat Sensei | Tantra Visualization \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Green Tara Guided Meditation (Free Audio)\nAdd your information below to receive the guided meditation of Green Tara and other dharma content from Planet Dharma. This Green Tara sadhana is shared by Catherine Pawasarat Sensei. When you join our list\, we will be kind to your inbox. \n \n FacebookThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.First Name*Email Address*\n \n Sign-up Location\n Listen Now \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Troubleshooting: Sometimes this button may not look like you’ve pushed it. However\, once you’ve pushed the submit button\, the opt in fields will turn grey and we have received your request.   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We are so blessed to have Sensei as one of the dedicated teachers at Clear Sky. I admire her continued commitment to helping us and others on the planet and I am awed by her abilities. Glad you are not hiding them under a basket. Thank you so much for the time you give so generously to talk\, touch one on the shoulder\, listen and speak truth. \nDan O'BrianAuthor\, Japan SeriesSensei has an unwavering compassion and commitment to support and accelerate the unfoldment of all beings around her.\nIt is a blessing and a privilege to be one of the lucky few who can bask in the glow of this radiance. \nDave Basu RoyChef\, food business strategist and socialpreneurSensei is an inspirational woman and I am blessed to walk this earth beside her. \nMaya LewandowskyArtistic Director and Vocal CoachMuch love\, gratitude and appreciation to Sensei for the incredible woman\, teacher and human being that she is. Thank you for being a true light and inspiration in this world. \nRuth Naomi LevinMFA\, Small Business Owner\, Movement Teacher & Performing ArtistGratitude to Sensei for lighting up our love lives with her fire. \nEvangelos DiavolitisMeditation Teacher and Coach\, Four Ways to Freedom. Italy\, Canada. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/buddhist-women-2020s-menla-talk/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Public Classes ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/buddhist-women-2020s-500x500-1.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Menla Online":MAILTO:Frontdesk@Menla.Org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210517 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210614 DTSTAMP:20260807T063959Z CREATED:20201119T225511Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260807T063959Z UID:10000437-1621209600-1623628799@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Discovering Your Buddha Nature: Teachings of Gampopa (Online Course) DESCRIPTION:Discovering Your Buddha Nature: Teachings of Gampopa\n A Four Week Online Course | Starts May 17\, 2021\n Your essence is Buddha Nature. Discover the path to recognizing this state in yourself and all beings\, as elucidated by Tibetan Buddhist Master Gampopa in his treatise\, ‘The Jewel Ornament of Liberation‘. \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Gems of Dharma\nGampopa named this contradiction: we both dwell in an amazing human existence with enlightened essence\, while also wandering through the worlds of struggle and suffering. \nWhat is the path through this paradox\, then? In this course\, we will study realities of samsara and nirvana\, based on Gampopa’s Jewel Ornament of Liberation. \nGampopa was known for bringing together the monastic and yogic traditions\, similar to our lineage and mandate at Clear Sky Center and Planet Dharma. \nIn this course we will also learn that to be more than who we currently are\, we need to understand more than we currently do. How do we understand cause and effect? What is the role of loving kindness and compassion? \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n Top image: Je Gampopa\, Dagpo Rinpoche\, Sonam RinchenSource: Dakini Translations \n \n \n \n \n \n Left image: Je Gampopa with 1st Karmapa\, Dusum Khyenpa. Source: Dakini Translations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The [Online] course went beyond my expectations\, I feel I learned a lot of new things or new ways of seeing things. The teachers have an incredible way of presenting the themes in a way that makes it easy to understand. They also make the teachings fun and suggest exercises so that you can apply them in your life. \n Irene Arriaza\, Guatemala / Spain\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I was expecting to get pearls of wisdom and I always get far far more. The  teachings always speak directly to me. It is uncanny. It is like hearing a language that I spoke in some other life-form and suddenly it rings a bell. And bell after bell. Like a universal language that we all used to speak but have forgotten\, and now as if a new pathway in the brain has opened up and the signals coming in are making sense! Directly from the cosmos via Doug and Catherine Sensei. \n Renata Drtinova\, Czech / Spain \n Psychotherapist (Gestalt therapist) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The teachers of Planet Dharma [Online course] aim to provide opportunities to learn from age old teachings while including modern information as they are examples of continuing to learn about the fascinating\, yet troubled world we live in. They help one to develop ideas how to help out society\, live in society and contribute to themselves and others. \n Daniel O'Brien\, USA\n Author\, Japan Series \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Schedule\nStarts May 17\, 2021\nPLEASE NOTE to deepen and integrate your experience\, we are offering three optional weekly Master Classes during the course and an at-home Flash Retreat at the end. See below for more details. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, May 17\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 1\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n How do we get enlightened? Why wouldn’t we? Gampopa explains different kinds of potential for enlightenment\, and the features of how exactly a precious human existence is the fertile ground for awakening. With this cause and basis for enlightenment\, we look at what a practitioner needs next: a guide. What are the reasons for having a mentor\, and what’s the nature of this relationship? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, May 24\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 2\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We review Gampopa’s (and our) perspective on some of the most fundamental aspects of our path: the nature of karma\, the importance of loving kindness and compassion\, and the essential nature of proper refuge. What do these look like in our practice and in our daily lives? We also explore bodhicitta\, the innate potential of a human being to awaken. Sometimes it’s called the desire to awaken: how can we cultivate this? Lastly\, what is the Bodhisattva Vow\, and how do we practice it? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, May 31\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 3\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The meditations on the Paramita—Six Perfections or Buddhist Virtues—are easily summarized\, but their practice involves a lifetime of living each one more deeply. We look at Gampopa’s descriptions of each Parami (translated here as generosity\, right conduct\, forbearance\, diligence\, meditation\, and wisdom)\, and describe how we can practice them meaningfully in our contemporary lives. This helps us to both awaken further and benefit all beings more.\n \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, June 7\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 4\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Our spiritual paths have different phases: what are they and how do we recognize the road signs? Since we’re practicing the bodhisattva path\, we’ll enrich our experience by getting to know its 10 levels\, and what lies beyond those: Buddhahood. How does a Buddha show up in the universe\, in the different realms? As practitioners we make efforts to benefit all beings; how do Buddhas do it? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Study and Meditation Electives\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Master Classes\n \n \n \n \n \n Three Sundays\n \n \n \n \n \n There are weekly Master Classes (akin to online Q&A Office Hours) during this online course to support your deepening learning and practice\, on May 23rd and May 30th at 3pm MST and June 6 at 4pm MST: \n\nSun. May 23 (3pm MST)\nSun. May 30 (3pm MST)\nSun. June 6 (4pm MST)\n\nYou can elect to attend all three or individual dates. \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration & Dana links for Master Classes will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat\n \n \n \n \n \n June 11-13\, 2021\n \n \n \n \n \n Elect to deepen your practice via a Flash Retreat during the last weekend of this course.  The retreat provides practitioners a valuable opportunity to integrate and seal the learnings from the online course\, in a format well suited for our contemporary lives. \nThe retreat will include instructions\, online check ins\, and a Master Class on Sunday\, June 13. \nWe encourage you to attend this weekend retreat at Clear Sky Centre\, or together with your local sangha\, or if those not available to you\, in your home. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration and Dana links for the Flash Retreat will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \nSangha power – consider organizing or joining regional in-person or online sangha groups to support one another during the online courses and Flash Retreats.  \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nDoug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nEach of the four weekly classes in this online course will be video streamed live at 7:30pm MST. The recording will be available for one week after each class. \nStudy and Meditation Opportunities in addition to the classes include Master Classes on three Sundays at 3pm MST\, and a Flash Retreat on June 11-13\, 2021. \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\n This course is offered based on the unique combination of 1) dāna  and 2) a $100 USD administrative fee. Click on the tabs below to learn more: \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About DānaAbout the Online Admin Fee\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n You may have come across this elsewhere in the form of “pay from the heart.” Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity.” With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. \nThe dharma has been built on generosity. No one is excluded for lack of funds. However\, it is also extremely beneficial to give as much as you are able. \nTypically people give in a range of $120-$500 USD for a course. \nAs we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the Dharma\, please feel comfortable to give less if you are not financially secure. Another form of giving dāna is to offer service\, and if you are interested in providing support in a non-financial way\, we invite you to contact us. \nIf you are financially secure\, we invite you to generate merit by providing more financial support to the Triple Gem. Contributions like these make the difference in supporting our teachers\, teachings\, and center. \nWe're delighted to share that we created a short online course so that you can learn more about the practice of dāna here. \n \n \n \n \n \n In a traditional model of in-person teachings\, a retreat center or urban meditation center invites teachers to visit. In these cases the centers have infrastructure and organization costs to cover\, which might be covered by an admin fee. For the teaching itself\, dāna to the teachers is offered in a bowl. This honors both the sustainability of the teachers\, and of the supporting center. \nWe’ve tried to recreate this approach online. The teachers’ time and the teaching themselves are offered on the basis of dāna\, separate to the admin fee. With our dāna offering we are making a direct gift of generosity to the teachers to support their teachings and livelihood. \nThe admin fee* goes to support the infrastructure and organization necessary to support them to teach. As anyone with an online business will know\, the costs of setting up good infrastructure to support effective teaching and connection online can be surprising. \nOur admin fee changes based on the date of registration. \nRegister four + weeks prior: $80 Register two to four weeks prior: $100Register less than two weeks prior: $120 \n*We also do not wish to exclude anyone from the Teachings\, so if you are not currently in a financial position to afford the admin fee\, please contact the course Registrar via registrar@planetdharma.com so we can support you to attend. \n--- \nBelow are a few of the work and benefits that your admin fee payment is supporting: \n\nHigh speed internet (to allow interviews and classes on-line)\nOnline class systems (Zoom)\nRegistration / admin systems (Eventbrite\, Basecamp)\nCommunication systems to keep everyone informed\, share connection details\, teachings and other resources (Mailchimp)\nOnline storage (for example\, Dropbox\, to allow us to let students watch recordings\, and to store and share selected teachings in other forms such as podcasts and video later\, and Amazon cloud)\nQuality sound\, video and editing equipment (both for live teachings and to provide good enough quality for later sharing as podcasts and video). We are regularly updating our equipment to improve your user experience.\nOnline calendar booking system to allow students to book interviews\nWebsite hosting and maintenance for sharing upcoming courses\, teachings\, blogs and other resources.\n\nWe welcome any questions. May all our efforts be sustainable\, abundant and for the benefit of all beings! \n  \n \n \n \n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n It has been sheer joy to be a participant in the Foundations of Buddhist Philosophy streamed classes. They made the practice come alive for me and accessible and pertinent to my every-day life. And of course\, I always enjoy Doug and Catherine’s unfailing good humour which put a lighter touch on what can sometimes be a very dry subject. \n Ronda Clanfield\, Canada\n Resources Specialist\, CBC National TV News (retired) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fabulous mindfulness teachers\, presenting a variety of accessible tools for unfolding\, in a mutual\, community inspired way. It’s great that classes can be watched in person\, virtually\, or within a week depending on one’s schedule. Increase the awareness\, compassion\, wisdom\, strength\, and joy in your life! \n Brendan Ries\, USA / Australia\n Life Coach\, Teacher and Artist \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n[The online classes] are a fantastic tool for me to not get completely lost in Samsara throughout the year\, especially because I don’t live in Canada and cannot be with the teachers so often. I still felt very connected and supported by the Lamas and Sangha. As a result I became much more aware of my state of mind than I would ordinarily.  \n Andrea Netscher\, Germany\n Physiotherapist\, Germany \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Save the Dates in your Digital Calendar Now\nDownload the course dates to your iCal or Google calendars. If Ical download doesn’t commence as expected\, right click on the button and select ‘save link as’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n + iCal Export (Online Course)\n \n + iCal Export (Master Classes)\n \n + iCal Export (Flash Retreat)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Google Calendar downloads coming soon. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/discovering-your-buddha-nature/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Favorit-Design-The-Jewel-Ornament-of-Liberation-e1609126416201.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210216 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210407 DTSTAMP:20260708T054319Z CREATED:20201229T182428Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T054319Z UID:10000603-1613433600-1617753599@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Abhidhamma Deeper Dive Study Group DESCRIPTION:Abhidhamma Deeper Dive Study Group\n with Doug Duncan Sensei| Feb 16-April 6\, 2021\n \n AboutRegistration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Studying the Abhidhamma\n The Abhidhamma Pitaka is the third division of the Buddhist Tripitaka\, the Three Baskets. The seven books of the Abhidhamma Pitaka give an extraordinarily detailed analysis of the basic natural principles that govern mental and physical processes. \nAs human beings\, our consciousness is built to awaken.  Our awakening is supported by the universe – the Abhidhamma Pitaka gives us an understanding of the mind and body in a profoundly detailed manner. \nThis study group with Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei follows on from the four week online course\, A Study of Consciousness: The Abhidhamma.  The four week course is also a pre-requisite. \nRecommended Reading: A Manual of Abhidhamma (pdf download) by Narada Maha Thera. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The [Online] course went beyond my expectations\, I feel I learned a lot of new things or new ways of seeing things. The teachers have an incredible way of presenting the themes in a way that makes it easy to understand. They also make the teachings fun and suggest exercises so that you can apply them in your life. \n Irene Arriaza\, Spain\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I was expecting to get pearls of wisdom and I always get far far more. The  teachings always speak directly to me. It is uncanny. It is like hearing a language that I spoke in some other life-form and suddenly it rings a bell. And bell after bell. Like a universal language that we all used to speak but have forgotten\, and now as if a new pathway in the brain has opened up and the signals coming in are making sense! Directly from the cosmos via Doug and Catherine Sensei. \n Renata Drtinova\, Spain\n Psychotherapist (Gestalt therapist) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The teachers of Planet Dharma [Online course] aim to provide opportunities to learn from age old teachings while including modern information as they are examples of continuing to learn about the fascinating\, yet troubled world we live in. They help one to develop ideas how to help out society\, live in society and contribute to themselves and others. \n Daniel O'Brien\, USA\n Author\, Japan Series \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Eight Week Study Group\nFebruary 16 to April 6\n \n \n \n \n \n \nDoug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei are offering an eight week study group after A Study of Consciousness: The Abhidhamma\, for those who would like to go deeper with the Abhidhamma study. It will be held on Tuesdays at 3pm MST\, Feb 16-April 6\, 2021. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Credit: Burmese-Pali Manuscript. Credit: Wellcome Collection. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Doug and Catherine Sensei\nDharma Teachers Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat teach meditation and act as spiritual mentors to students internationally.  Having lived overseas for many years and traveled extensively\, Doug and Catherine draw on intercultural and trans-cultural experience to broaden the range and depth of their understandings of liberation that they share with others. They are Namgyal lineage holders and founded Clear Sky Meditation Center in the British Columbia Rockies in 2005. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nEach of the eight weekly classes in this study group will be held via video stream on Tuesdays at 3pm MST.  Please attend all classes live.  There will also be a recording available for one week after the class. \nPre-requisite:  Completion of the online course – A Study of Consciousness: The Abhidhamma\, (January 11th-February 7) in order to join this study group. \nRecommended Reading: A Manual of Abhidhamma (pdf download) by Narada Maha Thera. \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\nDoug and Catherine Sensei is offering this course on the basis of dāna\, as well as an admin fee of $100 (USD). The admin is to cover the costs of running these online courses – for equipment and software to provide you the teachings online. \nFor our teachings itself – You may have come across this is the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. Please consider that this dana will be for eight individual sessions. We suggest a range between $200 and $800 for these eight weeks of study. \n \n Study group Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Please also register for the four week pre-requisite course (January 11-February 7) to this study group here: \n \n Abhidhamma Online Course\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n It has been sheer joy to be a participant in the Foundations of Buddhist Philosophy streamed classes. They made the practice come alive for me and accessible and pertinent to my every-day life. And of course\, I always enjoy Doug and Catherine’s unfailing good humour which put a lighter touch on what can sometimes be a very dry subject. \n Ronda Clanfield\, Ontario\n Resources Specialist\, CBC National TV News (retired) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fabulous mindfulness teachers\, presenting a variety of accessible tools for unfolding\, in a mutual\, community inspired way. It’s great that classes can be watched in person\, virtually\, or within a week depending on one’s schedule. Increase the awareness\, compassion\, wisdom\, strength\, and joy in your life! \n Brendan Ries\, USA/Australia\n Life Coach\, Teacher and Artist \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n[The online classes] are a fantastic tool for me to not get completely lost in Samsara throughout the year\, especially because I don’t live in Canada and cannot be with the teachers so often. I still felt very connected and supported by the Lamas and Sangha. As a result I became much more aware of my state of mind than I would ordinarily.  \n Andrea Netscher\, Germany\n Physiotherapist \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Save the Dates in your Digital Calendar Now\nDownload the course dates to your iCal or Google calendars. If download doesn’t commence\, right click on the button and select ‘save link as’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n + iCal Export (Study Group)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n + Google Calendar (Study Group) URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/abhidhamma-study-group/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/pexels-scott-webb-1029624.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20210206T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20210206T160000 DTSTAMP:20260606T054044Z CREATED:20201217T232512Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260606T054044Z UID:10000602-1612620000-1612627200@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Buddhist Contemplative Care for End of Life Speakers Series DESCRIPTION:Buddhist Contemplative Care for End of Life \n Speakers Series Presentation| February 6\, 2021\n \n OverviewRegistration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Watch the Recording\n \n \n \n \n \n Life\, Death and Rebirth Bardos\n \n \n \n \n \n Hear Doug Qapel Duncan and Catherine Pawsarat Sensei speak on the life\, death and rebirth bardos\, from the point of view of Vajrayana Buddhism. This talk was hosted by Emmanuel College of Victoria University in the University of Toronto\, on February 6th 2021. Link to the livestream available here: Vajrayana Buddhism and the Life\, Death and Rebirth Bardos. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Original Event details: \nJoin Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat for a conversation on Buddhist views of death and dying. Focusing on perspectives unique to their lineage they will share about death related caregiving and to illuminate specific practices (e.g.\, rituals\, key texts\, etc.). Additionally\, they will reflect on how the relatively recent adaptation of Buddhism to Canada and the West has created frictions and creative adaptations to this ancient tradition. \nThis speakers series\, cosponsored by Emmanuel College’s Centre for Religion and Its Contexts\, the Toronto Centre for Applied Buddhism and the Buddhist Education Foundation of Canada\, is a pioneering effort to provide a platform for Canadian teachers from the three main traditions of Buddhism to address contemplative end-of-life care. Over the past fifty years\, Canadians from many walks of life have become interested in Buddhism\, including growing numbers of committed practitioners and students\, as well as those whose curiosity has been piqued about how Buddhist wisdom can be applied to life challenges. \nThis rich spiritual and philosophical system provides unique insight into the perennial questions: What is a “good death?” How can I support myself and my loved ones during this time of profound transition? What approaches to inner work and relationships can we learn that will help bring ease and confidence to end-of-life? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free Infographic: What Happens to Consciousness During the Death Process?\nWhat happens to consciousness during the death and dying process? Add your information below to receive the infographic. You will also get amazing dharma content from Planet Dharma\, directly to your email inbox. We promise not to spam!\n \n PhoneThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.First Name*Email Address*\n \n Sign-up Location\n Download Now \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. Achariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. Catherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Do Previous Retreatants Say?\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I attended two retreats led by Doug Sensei. Both were life-changing experiences. During the retreats I was led to confront hidden parts of myself\, unaware that they were affecting me so deeply. Shadow work helped me accept and integrate parts of myself that I had rejected\, and also to acknowledge new strengths and wisdom that were within me all along. After each retreat I left feeling freer and more confident about my spiritual practice.\n Shant Dolbakian\, Canada\n Video producer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The retreat helped me to access both my strengths and my dark shadow side that interfere with my reaching my fullest potential. Now I am able to better integrate these two parts of myself\, allowing both to unfold\, rather than one suppressing the other. Making both sides more explicit\, more conscious in this retreat\, I lost some fears I didn’t know I had\, and I continue to use the tools today\, a few years later.\n Lisa Feder\, USA/France\n Anthropologist \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ancient teaching that I feel is important to understand if someone was serious about meditation practice. I appreciate the teachers\, Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat\, unrelenting perseverance to teach about the roots and traditions of these rich practices. These practices are life changing\, so it is great that we can have teachers that will explore the rich history with us\, and deliver the material in a very understandable and relevant way.\n Jenai Lieu\, Calgary\n Psychology student \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the Emmanuel College Buddhist Contemplative Care for End of Life Speakers Series\nOver four Saturdays from February to April 2021\, each of the invited speakers will offer a talk\, followed by time for questions\, that addresses common themes. Speakers are encouraged to address general Buddhist views on death and dying\, focusing on their particular schools of thought; to share their spiritual tradition of caregiving and to illuminate specific practices (e.g.\, rituals\, key texts\, etc.). Additionally\, they will reflect on how the relatively recent adaptation of Buddhism to Canada and the West has created frictions and creative adaptations to this ancient tradition. \nWe very much hope you will join us for this exciting series. With time for experiential learning and reflection\, each talk will provide a wonderful opportunity to explore the richness and diversity of Buddhism. This series will be provocative and stimulating whether you are a student\, spiritual care professional or volunteer\, seasoned practitioner or simply curious to learn more about end of life practices. May all beings be well\, happy\, peaceful and safe! \nThis public talk will be held online on Zoom\, and is being offered for FREE\, but requires pre-registration. Zoom details will be provided to all registrants on the day of the talk. \nVisit the Emmanuel College Continuing Education website: Buddhist Contemplative Care for End of Life Speakers Series\n \n \n \n \n \n Please register here via this online registration form: \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Watch Videos on End of Life Related Topics\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Related Events on Living and Dying\nIf the topic of conscious living and dying interests you\, we highly recommend the week-long retreat – Exploring the Bardo of Now\, June 19-25\, 2021. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free Infographic: What Happens to Consciousness During the Death Process?\nAdd your information below to receive the infographic. You will also get amazing dharma content from Planet Dharma\, directly to your email inbox. We promise not to spam!\n\n \n InstagramThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.First Name*Email Address*\n \n Sign-up Location\n Download Now \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/buddhist-end-of-life-contemplative-care/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Public Classes ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Bardos.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210111 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210208 DTSTAMP:20260708T053816Z CREATED:20200917T225509Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T053816Z UID:10000433-1610323200-1612742399@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:A Study of Consciousness: The Abhidhamma (Online Course) DESCRIPTION:A Study of Consciousness: The Abhidhamma\n A Four Week Online Course | Starts January 11\, 2021\n Study one of the most profound ancient ‘sciences’ of consciousness – the Abhidhamma Pitaka. This ‘basket’ of teachings brings detailed analysis to mental and physical phenomena. \n The CourseRegistration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Studying the Abhidhamma\n The Abhidhamma Pitaka is the third division of the Buddhist Tripitaka\, the Three Baskets. The seven books of the Abhidhamma Pitaka give an extraordinarily detailed analysis of the basic natural principles that govern mental and physical processes. \nAs human beings\, our consciousness is built to awaken.  Our awakening is supported by the universe – the Abhidhamma Pitaka gives us an understanding of the mind and body in a profoundly detailed manner. \nRecommended Reading: A Manual of Abhidhamma (pdf download) by Narada Maha Thera. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The [Online] course went beyond my expectations\, I feel I learned a lot of new things or new ways of seeing things. The teachers have an incredible way of presenting the themes in a way that makes it easy to understand. They also make the teachings fun and suggest exercises so that you can apply them in your life. \n Irene Arriaza\, Spain\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I was expecting to get pearls of wisdom and I always get far far more. The  teachings always speak directly to me. It is uncanny. It is like hearing a language that I spoke in some other life-form and suddenly it rings a bell. And bell after bell. Like a universal language that we all used to speak but have forgotten\, and now as if a new pathway in the brain has opened up and the signals coming in are making sense! Directly from the cosmos via Doug and Catherine Sensei. \n Renata Drtinova\, Spain\n Psychotherapist (Gestalt therapist) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The teachers of Planet Dharma [Online course] aim to provide opportunities to learn from age old teachings while including modern information as they are examples of continuing to learn about the fascinating\, yet troubled world we live in. They help one to develop ideas how to help out society\, live in society and contribute to themselves and others. \n Daniel O'Brien\, USA\n Author\, Japan Series \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Outline\nStarts January 11\, 2021\nPLEASE NOTE to deepen and integrate your experience\, we are offering three optional weekly Master Classes during the course and an at-home Flash Retreat at the end. See below for more details. \nDoug Sensei is also offering an eight week Abhidhamma study group after this course for those who would like to go deeper. Tuesdays\, 3pm MST\, Feb 15-April 6. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Credit: Burmese-Pali Manuscript. Credit: Wellcome Collection. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, January 11\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 1\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In this first class\, we will introduce the Abhidhamma – what is it and what can we learn from it? \nThen we will begin to investigate the four different types of consciousness: Sensing\, form blisses\, formlesses blisses\, and transcendent. We will cover a definition of abhidhamma terms and discuss the roots of different types of consciousness. What happens in a thought process? How would we ascertain if they are ethical\, neutral or unethical? \nFinally\, what factors are present in the blisses? Is there only one type of transcendent consciousness\, or is there many? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, January 18\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 2\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In class two\, we will observe how in each of the consciousnesses\, there are different factors. What are they? What factors are present in what consciousness? \nHow does feeling relate to consciousness? Do different consciousnesses have different feelings? What are feelings? What are the functions of mind? How do they work? How do the senses connect to consciousness? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, January 25\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 3\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class three covers Karma. We will explore how many kinds of karma exist and where do they operate? How does karma affect rebirth consciousness? What is death? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, February 1\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 4\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In the final class of the series we will look at the nature of form and transcendence. Using the laws of dependent origination we can study dependent arising\, causal relations and attainments – what are these? \nWhat is Mental Culture – how do you cultivate your mind? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Study and Meditation Electives\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Master Classes\n \n \n \n \n \n Three Sundays\n \n \n \n \n \n There are weekly Master Classes (akin to online Q&A Office Hours) during this online course to support your deepening learning and practice\, on the following dates at 3pm MST: \n\nSun. Jan 17\nSun. Jan 24\nSun. Jan 31\n\nYou can elect to attend all three or individual dates. \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration & Dana links for Master Classes will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat\n \n \n \n \n \n February 5-7\, 2021\n \n \n \n \n \n Elect to deepen your practice via a Flash Retreat during the last weekend of this course.  The retreat provides practitioners a valuable opportunity to integrate and seal the learnings from the online course\, in a format well suited for our contemporary lives. \nThe retreat will include instructions\, online check ins\, and a Master Class on Sunday\, February 7. \nWe encourage you to attend this weekend retreat at Clear Sky Centre\, or together with your local sangha\, or if those not available to you\, in your home. \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration and Dana links for the Flash Retreat will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \nSangha power – consider organizing or joining regional in-person or online sangha groups to support one another during the online courses and Flash Retreats.  \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Abhidhamma Study Group\nTuesdays at 3pm MST\, February 16- April 6th \nDoug Sensei is also offering an eight week study group for those who have taken this online course and would like to go deeper with the Abhidhamma study.  Please register for this online course as a pre-requisite.  And visit this page to find out more about study group:  Abhidhamma Study Group. \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nDoug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nEach of the four weekly classes in this online course will be video streamed live at 7:30pm MST. The recording will be available for one week after each class. \nStudy and Meditation Opportunities in addition to the classes include Master Classes on three Sundays at 3pm MST\, and a Flash Retreat on February 5-7\, 2021. \nRecommended Reading: A Manual of Abhidhamma (pdf download) by Narada Maha Thera. \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\nWe offer this course on the basis of dāna\, as well as an admin fee of $100 (USD). The admin is to cover the costs of running these online courses – for equipment and software to provide you the teachings online. \nFor our teachings itself – You may have come across this is the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. We suggest a range between $120 and $500 for this four week course. \n \n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Abhidhamma Study Group\nTuesdays at 3pm MST\, February 16- April 6th \nDoug Sensei is also offering an eight week study group for those who have taken this online course and would like to go deeper with the Abhidhamma study.  Please register for this online course as a pre-requisite.  And visit this page to find out more about study group:  Abhidhamma Study Group.  \n \n Study Group Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n It has been sheer joy to be a participant in the Foundations of Buddhist Philosophy streamed classes. They made the practice come alive for me and accessible and pertinent to my every-day life. And of course\, I always enjoy Doug and Catherine’s unfailing good humour which put a lighter touch on what can sometimes be a very dry subject. \n Ronda Clanfield\, Canada\n Resources Specialist\, CBC National TV News (retired) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fabulous mindfulness teachers\, presenting a variety of accessible tools for unfolding\, in a mutual\, community inspired way. It’s great that classes can be watched in person\, virtually\, or within a week depending on one’s schedule. Increase the awareness\, compassion\, wisdom\, strength\, and joy in your life! \n Brendan Ries\, Australia\n Life Coach\, Teacher and Artist \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n [The online classes] are a fantastic tool for me to not get completely lost in Samsara throughout the year\, especially because I don’t live in Canada and cannot be with the teachers so often. I still felt very connected and supported by the Lamas and Sangha. As a result I became much more aware of my state of mind than I would ordinarily.  \n Andrea Netscher\, Germany\n Physiotherapist\, Germany \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Save the Dates in your Digital Calendar Now\nDownload the course dates to your iCal or Google calendars. If download doesn’t commence\, right click on the button and select ‘save link as’. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n + iCal Export (Online Course)\n \n + iCal Export (Master Classes)\n \n + iCal Export (Flash Retreat)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n + Google Calendar (Online Course)\n \n + Google Calendar (Master Classes)\n \n + Google Calendar (Flash Retreat) URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/abhidhamma-online-course-2021/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/pexels-scott-webb-1029624.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20201012 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20201109 DTSTAMP:20260605T105301Z CREATED:20190919T214533Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260605T105301Z UID:10000584-1602460800-1604879999@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Eye of the Storm: Navigating the Modern World (Online) DESCRIPTION:Eye of the Storm: Navigating the Modern World\n A Four Week Online Course | Starts October 12\, 2020\n For all meditators and spiritual practitioners\, this course explores how we can more fully support the mind of awakening to manifest in our lives – for our own benefit\, and for positive transformation in the world.  Learn how to create space and strength to navigate the storms of the modern world. \n The CourseRegistration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Eye of the Storm\nDo you struggle to keep momentum with your spiritual practice? It is easy to feel one’s energy get drained away and get lost in the struggles and distractions around us.  More than ever we need a strong supportive environment to help us navigate the storms of the modern world\, and to shine forth with clarity and compassionate minds to help the planet.   \nAs human beings\, our consciousness is built to awaken.  Our awakening is supported by the universe – we just need to learn to recognize and tap into this deep support structure.   \nBased on 15 years of hosting deep retreat work\, our home meditation center Clear Sky uses five tried and tested principles of creating a supportive container.  These principles nurture and uncover this universal support for awakening.  The same principles can be used throughout our lives – at home\, at work\, and on the road – to create space for our awakening to flourish. \nFor all meditators and spiritual practitioners\, this course gives fundamental and creative ways to more fully support the mind of awakening to manifest in our lives – for our own benefit\, and for positive transformation in the world.   \nNote: for past participants of Clear Sky’s Ignite Your Spiritual Life\, this course will be a whole new approach to Clear Sky’s 5 principles\, uncovering the depth philosophy and Dharma behind the principles.   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The [Online] course went beyond my expectations\, I feel I learned a lot of new things or new ways of seeing things. The teachers have an incredible way of presenting the themes in a way that makes it easy to understand. They also make the teachings fun and suggest exercises so that you can apply them in your life. \n Irene Arriaza\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I was expecting to get pearls of wisdom and I always get far far more. The  teachings always speak directly to me. It is uncanny. It is like hearing a language that I spoke in some other life-form and suddenly it rings a bell. And bell after bell. Like a universal language that we all used to speak but have forgotten\, and now as if a new pathway in the brain has opened up and the signals coming in are making sense! Directly from the cosmos via Doug and Catherine Sensei. \n Renata Drtinova\n Psychotherapist (Gestalt therapist) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The teachers of Planet Dharma [Online course] aim to provide opportunities to learn from age old teachings while including modern information as they are examples of continuing to learn about the fascinating\, yet troubled world we live in. They help one to develop ideas how to help out society\, live in society and contribute to themselves and others. \n Daniel O'Brien\n Author\, Japan Series \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Schedule\nStarts October 12\, 2020\nPLEASE NOTE to deepen and integrate your experience\, we are offering three optional weekly Master Classes during the course and an at-home Flash Retreat at the end. See below for more details. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, October 12\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 1\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In this class we introduce the idea of a “spiritual container” and how the universe supports the mind of awakening.  Starting with the principle “honor your space” we explore the nature of space and spaciousness\, and how this provides a ground for the awakened consciousness.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, October 19\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 2\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In this class we explore two principles: how consciously chosen structures and routines can support us\, and the importance of communication.  The universe is highly ordered – from atoms to chemistry to stars.  Likewise our brains and our consciousness are highly ordered.  There is a natural order to unfolding and awakening built into us.  Similarly\, everyone and everything in the universe is related and interpenetrating – in constant communication.  If we can learn to be silent\, to deeply listen\, and to get out of the way\, we can let this natural order carry us to “God”.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, October 26\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 3\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The fourth principle is that cleaning up and liberating big areas of our lives frees up energy.  Energy is never lost and just changes form – but it can get stuck.  Unconscious habits and shadow elements can weigh us down.  Liberating these frees up enormous energy we can channel into our spiritual growth and compassionate service to the world.  Learning to simplify and focus how we spend our precious energy keeps our minds spacious and not worn out from overload. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, November 2\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 4\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 4 explores the fifth principle “It’s easier with others”.  Our culture often celebrates the great individual\, but in reality almost everything is done in collaboration with others.  Healthy and conscious community is becoming a lost art that we need to rediscover.  Group guru – teams of awakened beings working together as a community to teach and train – will be the platform for future teachings of awakening. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Study and Meditation Electives\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Master Classes\n \n \n \n \n \n Three Sundays\n \n \n \n \n \n There are weekly Master Classes (akin to online Q&A Office Hours) during this online course to support your deepening learning and practice\, on the following dates at 3pm MST: \n\nSun. Oct 18\nSun. Oct 25\nSun. Nov 1\n\nYou can elect to attend all three or individual dates. \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration & Dana links for Master Classes will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat\n \n \n \n \n \n November 6-8\, 2020\n \n \n \n \n \n Elect to deepen your practice via a Flash Retreat during the last weekend of this course.  The retreat provides practitioners a valuable opportunity to integrate and seal the learnings from the online course\, in a format well suited for our contemporary lives. \nThe retreat will include instructions\, online check ins\, and a Master Class on Sunday\, November 8. \nWe encourage you to attend this weekend retreat at Clear Sky Centre\, or together with your local sangha\, or if those not available to you\, in your home. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration and Dana links for the Flash Retreat will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \nSangha power – consider organizing or joining regional in-person or online sangha groups to support one another during the online courses and Flash Retreats.  \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nDoug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nEach of the four weekly classes in this online course will be video streamed live at 7:30pm MST. The recording will be available for one week after each class. \nStudy and Meditation Opportunities in addition to the classes include Master Classes on three Sundays at 3pm MST\, and a Flash Retreat on November 6-8\, 2020. \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\nWe offer this course on the basis of dāna\, as well as an admin fee of $100 (USD). The admin is to cover the costs of running these online courses – for equipment and software to provide you the teachings online. \nFor our teachings itself – You may have come across this is the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. We suggest a range between $120 and $500 for this four week course. \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n It has been sheer joy to be a participant in the Foundations of Buddhist Philosophy streamed classes. They made the practice come alive for me and accessible and pertinent to my every-day life. And of course\, I always enjoy Doug and Catherine’s unfailing good humour which put a lighter touch on what can sometimes be a very dry subject. \n Ronda Clanfield\n Resources Specialist\, CBC National TV News (retired) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fabulous mindfulness teachers\, presenting a variety of accessible tools for unfolding\, in a mutual\, community inspired way. It’s great that classes can be watched in person\, virtually\, or within a week depending on one’s schedule. Increase the awareness\, compassion\, wisdom\, strength\, and joy in your life! \n Brendan Ries\n Life Coach\, Teacher and Artist\, Conscious Money \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n [The online classes] are a fantastic tool for me to not get completely lost in Samsara throughout the year\, especially because I don’t live in Canada and cannot be with the teachers so often. I still felt very connected and supported by the Lamas and Sangha. As a result I became much more aware of my state of mind than I would ordinarily.  \n Andrea Netscher\n Physiotherapist\, Germany \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Course is the fourth of four Online Courses in 2020.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Diamond Realization: Clarity in an Unclear WorldJanuary 6\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta: Four Foundations of MindfulnessApril 6\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Beyond the Cushion: Awakening our Highest PotentialJune 1\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Eye of the Storm: Navigating the Modern WorldOctober 12\n Register URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/eye-of-storm-online-course4-2020/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/aerial-view-atmosphere-clouds-cold-front-76969.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20201003 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20201005 DTSTAMP:20200927T145841Z CREATED:20200903T231914Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200927T145841Z UID:10000431-1601683200-1601855999@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Crouching Ego\, Hidden Buddhas DESCRIPTION:Crouching Ego\, Hidden Buddhas\n Online Public Talks | October 3rd & 4th\, 2020\n Learn how to transform overwhelm into endless wisdom and greater capacities to love\, act\, connect and be. \n DetailsRegister\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Weekend Experience\nOnline Classes: 9am-10:30am and 3pm-4:30pm MST on both days\, October 3-4th. \nYou may have tried applying mindfulness and meditation techniques in the past\, and find them helpful for ordinary problems\, but not tough enough for the big problems\, like climate change\, inequality and all the change that comes with this global pandemic. Although humans are remarkably adaptable\, this pandemic has brought greater isolation\, deeper financial woes (for many)\, and a challenge to our core values. \nAt the same time\, when our state is off\, it’s no fun for anyone. The thing is\, we don’t have to be part of an emotional plague\, we can learn to cultivate wholesome emotional states that feel good. We can turn uncomfortable emotions around and tap into boundless love\, compassion\, joy and equanimity. \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What You’ll Learn\nIn these four live streamed classes\, Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei will share four sustainable\, positive states\, and how to spend more time in them going forward. These four states are called the Brahma Viharas in Buddhism. \nThe Brahma Viharas are sometimes known in Buddhism as the four sublime abidings or the four immeasurables. We’ll learn how to:  transform anger into loving kindness for self and other\, – channel our energy to act and speak our truth for the benefit of self and others\, – experience empathetic joy for others\, – and be unmoved in the face of ongoing and sometimes extreme change. We can leverage these four tools in everyday life\, ultimately training ourselves and others how to be in a state of grace 24/7. \nOver this weekend we’ll learn more about these four sustainable\, positive states\, and how to spend more time in them going forward. We also expect to explore Mudita more deeply\, (one of the lesser known Brahma Viharas) and how we can further develop this emotional state through our connections with community/ Sangha. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. Achariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. Catherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n It has been sheer joy to be a participant in the Foundations of Buddhist Philosophy streamed classes. They made the practice come alive for me and accessible and pertinent to my every-day life. And of course\, I always enjoy Doug and Catherine’s unfailing good humour which put a lighter touch on what can sometimes be a very dry subject. \n Ronda Arnfield\n Resources Specialist\, CBC National TV News (retired) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fabulous mindfulness teachers\, presenting a variety of accessible tools for unfolding\, in a mutual\, community inspired way. It’s great that classes can be watched in person\, virtually\, or within a week depending on one’s schedule. Increase the awareness\, compassion\, wisdom\, strength\, and joy in your life! \n Brendan Ries\n Life Coach\, Teacher and Artist\, Conscious Money \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n [The online classes] are a fantastic tool for me to not get completely lost in Samsara throughout the year\, especially because I don’t live in Canada and cannot be with the teachers so often. I still felt very connected and supported by the Lamas and Sangha. As a result I became much more aware of my state of mind than I would ordinarily.  \n Andrea Netscher\n Physiotherapist\, Germany \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nFees and Dāna\nThis course is offered by the Teachers based on the ancient principle of generosity\, or Dāna. \n\nLocation: Online (Zoom)\nDates: Saturday October 3rd & Sunday October 4th 2020\nTime: 9am-10:30 am and 3pm-4:30pm MST on both days.\n\nNote: Video recordings will be available to those who are unable to make the live teachings starting on Monday\, October 5th in the morning. They will be accessible until end of the day Sunday October 11th. You must register before the event in order to access these recordings. \n \n Register Here\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The [Online] course went beyond my expectations\, I feel I learned a lot of new things or new ways of seeing things. The teachers have an incredible way of presenting the themes in a way that makes it easy to understand. They also make the teachings fun and suggest exercises so that you can apply them in your life. \n Irene Arriaza\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I was expecting to get pearls of wisdom and I always get and far far more. The  teachings always speak directly to me. It is uncanny. It is like hearing a language that I spoke in some other life-form and suddenly it rings a bell. And bell after bell. Like a universal language that we all used to speak but have forgotten\, and now as if a new pathway in the brain has opened up and the signals coming in are making sense! Directly from the cosmos via Doug and Catherine Sensei. \n Renata Drtinova\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The teachers of Planet Dharma [Online course] aim to provide opportunities to learn from age old teachings while including modern information as they are examples of continuing to learn about the fascinating\, yet troubled world we live in. They help one to develop ideas how to help out society\, live in society and contribute to themselves and others. \n Daniel O'Brien\n Author\, Japan Series URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/crouching-ego-hidden-buddhas/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Public Classes ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Enlightened-Archetypes-MeetUp-Banner-300x169-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20200927T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20200927T170000 DTSTAMP:20200921T222748Z CREATED:20200908T030829Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200921T222748Z UID:10000432-1601218800-1601226000@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Contemplating 400 Years of Inequality DESCRIPTION:Contemplating 400 Years of Inequality\n Online Seminar | September 27\, 2020\n This seminar invites us to see our own implicit biases and cultivate new ways of being more compassionate and loving beings through the scope of Dharma\, race and liberation.\n DetailsRegister\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n An Interactive Seminar with Catherine Pawasarat Sensei\nOnline Classes: 3pm-5:00pm\, Sept 27th\, 2020  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Why this Course?\nThere has been unprecedented acceleration of change since the Industrial revolution. Along with it\, we see a greater number of fracturing in people’s psyches and a greater number of inequality in wealth distribution. According to a study from Harvard university\, most of the wealth in the US is in the top 20% of the population\, particularly affecting black\, indigenous\, and people of colour. \nOur international sangha is about growing people to be compassionate and loving beings and welcoming all beings to the banquet as guests. As we teach compassionate communication\, it is important we do our own work around Social Justice as awakening beings. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What You’ll Learn\nDoug and Catherine Sensei began teaching from The Fifth Discipline in 2013\, which focused on managing and leading change\, building adaptive organizations that can cope with an increasingly connected and volatile world. Little did we know that they were preparing us for the world we live in today\, whether we are in Canada\, Japan\, England or Germany. \nTo help you respond to these times\, Catherine Sensei is offering a contemplative session cultivating presence and supporting the global sangha with understanding structural inequality through a mindfulness-based and contemplative approach. To better be of service to more people\, it also gives us an opportunity to study our implicit bias in a system that favours a certain group or groups over others.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat is a Dharma and meditation teacher who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, with her partner\, Achariya Doug Duncan. Catherine Sensei has trained daily with Doug Sensei since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. \nCatherine Sensei met Dr. Angel Acosta last year at a conference called Timeless Wisdom\, Timely Action. Dr. Acosta works to bridge the fields of leadership\, social justice & mindfulness. Catherine really enjoyed the person he is and his work\, and studied with him on how to use the 400 Years Timeline effectively.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The [Online] course went beyond my expectations\, I feel I learned a lot of new things or new ways of seeing things. The teachers have an incredible way of presenting the themes in a way that makes it easy to understand. They also make the teachings fun and suggest exercises so that you can apply them in your life.\n Irene Arriaza\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I was expecting to get pearls of wisdom and I always get far far more. The  teachings always speak directly to me. It is uncanny. It is like hearing a language that I spoke in some other life-form and suddenly it rings a bell. And bell after bell. Like a universal language that we all used to speak but have forgotten\, and now as if a new pathway in the brain has opened up and the signals coming in are making sense! Directly from the cosmos via Doug and Catherine Sensei.\n Renata Drtinova\n Psychotherapist (Gestalt therapist) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The teachers of Planet Dharma [Online course] aim to provide opportunities to learn from age old teachings while including modern information as they are examples of continuing to learn about the fascinating\, yet troubled world we live in. They help one to develop ideas how to help out society\, live in society and contribute to themselves and others. \n Daniel O'Brien\n Author\, Japan Series \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fees and Dāna\nThis seminar is offered based on the ancient principle of generosity\, or Dāna. \n\nLocation: Online (Zoom)\nDates: Sunday\, Sept 27\, 2020\nTime: 3-5:00pm MST.\n\n \n Register Here\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The 400 Years of Inequality Timeline\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n It has been sheer joy to be a participant in the Foundations of Buddhist Philosophy streamed classes. They made the practice come alive for me and accessible and pertinent to my every-day life. And of course\, I always enjoy Doug and Catherine’s unfailing good humour which put a lighter touch on what can sometimes be a very dry subject.\n Ronda Arnfield\n Resources Specialist\, CBC National TV News (retired) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fabulous mindfulness teachers\, presenting a variety of accessible tools for unfolding\, in a mutual\, community inspired way. It’s great that classes can be watched in person\, virtually\, or within a week depending on one’s schedule. Increase the awareness\, compassion\, wisdom\, strength\, and joy in your life!\n Brendan Ries\n Life Coach\, Teacher and Artist\, Conscious Money \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n [The online classes] are a fantastic tool for me to not get completely lost in Samsara throughout the year\, especially because I don’t live in Canada and cannot be with the teachers so often. I still felt very connected and supported by the Lamas and Sangha. As a result I became much more aware of my state of mind than I would ordinarily.\n Andrea Netscher\n Physiotherapist\, Germany URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/contemplating-400-years-of-inequality/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Public Classes ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Screen-Shot-2020-09-18-at-10.34.34-AM.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200807 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200822 DTSTAMP:20260608T061416Z CREATED:20190920T030952Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260608T061416Z UID:10000586-1596758400-1598054399@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Mastering the Sixteen Stages of Insight (Meditation Retreat) DESCRIPTION:Mastering the Sixteen Stages of Insight\n Meditation Retreat ONLINE or in BC\, Canada| August 7-21\, 2020\n “Within this fathom long body\, I show you the arising and passing away of the universe.” -Shakyamuni Buddha \n OverviewRegistration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mastering the Sixteen Stages of Insight\nThrough the Practice of the Foundations of Mindfulness\nLife is repetitious––we do many things over and over again\, often in the same habitual way. The path of insight is about vipassana\, literally meaning “looking again and again.” \nIn insight meditation\, we look again and again at the arisings within the mind in order to uncover the patterns within. Our minds and bodies are our most precise tools as well as our laboratories. \nBy liberating unconscious patterns\, we liberate karma from neurotic repetition. We make way for more wholesome karma–becoming a manifestation of compassion\, loving-kindness\, empathetic joy and equanimity in the world. \nExperience Acariya Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat Sensei’s mastery of insight in this powerful and rare two-week insight meditation retreat. \nHeld online\, and at our home retreat centre\, Clear Sky\, a 21st-century model for innovative awakening\, situated in the beautiful B.C. Rocky Mountains.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Online Retreat Option\nCan’t fly here? Do the retreat where you are.\nIt might not be possible to get to Clear Sky to do this retreat. Join us from wherever you are in the world instead. \nBasic requirements to do the retreat online: \n\n\n\nBlock out the two weeks and be focused on the retreat for this entire period\, using this time and participating in the retreat as if you were at Clear Sky in person.  This includes a rigorous\, full\, daily meditation schedule.\nParticipate in all of the daily classes and group practices via online streaming.\nSet up a quiet space or location where you can focus on the Meditation Retreat\, and not need to engage in conversation or work with others.\nPut away your phone\, digital devices and other distractions.\nIf there are enough people in the same time zone as you\, you could also make a cohort to meet to do a group practice throughout the retreat.\n\n\n\n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Retreat schedule:\n(Time Zone: MST\, subject to change) \n\n[Personal Meditation / Breakfast]\n9am  – 10am:  Class with Teachers\n10:30am – 11:30am: Group Practice lead by Sangha\n[Personal Meditation / Lunch]\n3pm – 4 pm: Group Practice lead by Sangha\n[Personal Meditation / Dinner]\n7:30pm – 8:30pm: Group Practice and Q & A with Teachers\n[Personal Meditation / Sleep]\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mastering the Sixteen Stages of Insight\nThrough the Practice of the Foundations of Mindfulness\nAugust 7-21\, 2020 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Why this Retreat?\n \n \n \n \n \n This classic meditation retreat supports mastery of the sixteen stages of insight through the practice of the seven paths of purification. \nThrough vipassana or insight practice we cultivate mindfulness and awareness\, with the ultimate aim of final liberation of the mind from greed\, hatred and delusion. When we purify our minds and bodies of these defilements\, our original pure nature––awakening itself––is what remains. \nThe framework we’ll use is the classical seven stages of purification from Buddhaghosa’s 5th-century text Visuddhimagga (Path of Purification). Through these seven highly embodied\, experiential stages\, we develop various phases of insight knowledge\, leading up to ultimate liberation. \nThrough bare insight or direct observation\, we perceive our own physical and mental processes as impermanent\, subject to suffering\, and without an inherent independent self. \nThis retreat’s daily intensive meditation practice is essential to support the intellectual learning in classes. Body contemplation will be central to this practice. As our practice deepens\, insight knowledges unfold in order as a natural outcome.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Can I expect with this Retreat?\n \n \n \n \n \n The Course  \n\nThis meditation retreat consists of many hours of consecutive practice each day. Therefore some experience\, especially with insight meditation\, is highly recommended.\nNOTE: If this is your first two-week retreat\, advance permission from the teachers is required.\nAn open mind and heart\, and a spirit of adventure are excellent things to bring!\nIt’s human to have some apprehensions about doing something new\, meeting new people\, or going to a new place. Particularly when all three happen together. We try to make this as supportive as possible.\nThis is a silent retreat. To deepen your meditation\, we ask that participants refrain from reading\, using the internet\, phone or listening to music during the course.\nExceptions are recommended texts we’ll be using during this course.\n\nThe Location – Clear Sky Center \n\nLocated in the BC rocky mountains\, Clear Sky offers over 300-acres to deepen your practice and reconnect with nature. Founded by Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat\, the centre is home to students from around the globe who are dedicated to co-creating a supportive and innovative space for awakening in our modern world.\n\n\nHow to get there\, what to bring and other FAQ about Clear Sky\nOur teachings and Clear Sky operate based on the ancient tradition of dāna or generosity. As generosity is the basis upon which all spiritual practice flourishes\, we recommend that you learn more about this profound practice before you register.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Required Reading\n\nSeven Stages of Purification and the Insight Knowledges by Matara Sri Nanarama Mahathera (1998-07-28): PDF / Amazon\n\nRecommended reading:\n\nNamgyal Rinpoche’s Breath of Awakening\, a commentary on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.\nThe Progress of Insight by Mahasi Sayadaw\, and\nManual for Checking Your Vipassana-Kammathana Progress\, by Udom Vijjanana Thera.\n\nThis is a silent retreat\, with the exception that you may read and use any and all of these precious texts. They’re available in the Clear Sky shop or by clicking on the hyperlinks above. If ordering on your own\, we recommend you do so well in advance\, as delivery times vary.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. Achariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. Catherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What Do Previous Retreatants Say?\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Through the power of long dedication\, deep meditation\, and wise guidance\, life can definitely be transformed. If you get a chance to study with Doug-sensei and Catherine\, don’t miss it. This kind of spiritual guidance and down to earth work have deeply shifted many people’s lives and led to deep awakenings.\n Paul Jaffe\n Retired Professor & Meditation Teacher \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug and Catherine Sensei are living examples of the dharma teachings.  In their presence\, they have the ability to put me at ease and their teachings (somewhat mysteriously) become alive and intimate. I trust in their one-pointed focus on whatever it takes to speed their students unrealized potential.\n Laura Montgomery\n Counsellor & Mum of Two \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n It is one thing to hear or read the Dharma and understand it intellectually. This retreat went so much further than that\, as I found myself receiving realizations of the teachings on a visceral basis\, going far beyond simply understanding.\n Bob Abraamms\n Founder\, ODT Maps \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Fees & Requirements\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n All Retreatants: A Dāna Based Retreat\n This retreat is offered on the basis of dāna (generosity). \nDāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”\, and is the traditional way in which Buddhist teachings are offered.  With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. You may have come across this in the form of “pay from the heart”. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. \nYou will be sent a link to offer “dana” to the teachers after registration. \nFor more information on dāna click here.\n \n \n \n \n \n For Online Retreatants: Admin Fees & Requirements\n In order to bring you this retreat an home\, there is an additional pay by the heart\, sliding scale admin fee* of $200-$700. The admin fee is to cover the costs of running these online courses – for equipment and software to provide you the teachings online. \nIf you are taking this retreat online\, we require that you devote your full attention to the retreat for the entire two weeks. \nRequirements include: \n\nBlock out the two weeks and be focused on the retreat for this entire period\, using this time and participating in the retreat as if you were at Clear Sky in person.  This includes a rigorous\, full\, daily meditation schedule.\nParticipate in all of the daily classes and group practices via online streaming.\nSet up a quiet space or location where you can focus on the Meditation Retreat\, and not need to engage in conversation or work with others.\nPut away your phone\, digital devices and other distractions.\nIf there are enough people in the same time zone as you\, you could also make a cohort to meet to do a group practice throughout the retreat.\nNote: full details/ requirements will be sent to you after registering\n\n  \nAbout the administrative fee* \nIn a traditional model of in-person teachings\, a retreat center or urban meditation center invites teachers to visit. In these cases the centers have infrastructure and organization costs to cover\, which might be covered by an admin fee. For the teaching itself\, dāna to the teachers is offered in a bowl. This honors both the sustainability of the teachers\, and of the supporting center. \nWe’ve tried to recreate this approach online.\nThe teachers’ time and the teaching themselves are offered on the basis of dāna\, separate to the admin fee. With our dāna offering we are making a direct gift of generosity to the teachers to support their teachings and livelihood. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. \nThe admin fee goes to support the infrastructure and organization necessary to support them to teach. As anyone with an online business will know\, it can be surprising the costs of setting up a good infrastructure to support effective teaching and connection online. \nBelow are a few of the work and benefits that your admin fee payment is supporting: \n\nhigh speed internet (to allow interviews and classes on-line)\nonline class systems (Zoom)\nregistration / admin systems (Eventbrite\, Basecamp)\ncommunication systems to keep everyone informed\, share connection details\, teachings and other resources (Mailchimp)\nonline storage (for example\, Dropbox\, to allow us to let students watch recordings\, and to store and share selected teachings in other forms such as podcasts and video later\, and Amazon cloud)\nquality sound\, video and editing equipment (both for live teachings and to provide good enough quality for later sharing as podcasts and video). We are regularly updating our equipment to improve your user experience.\nonline calendar booking system to allow students to book interviews\nwebsite hosting and maintenance for sharing upcoming courses\, teachings\, blogs and other resources.\n\nMay all our efforts be sustainable\, abundant and for the benefit of all beings! \nWe welcome any questions. Please feel free to contact registrar@planetdharma.com.\n \n \n \n \n \n Retreatants at Clear Sky: Lodging Fees & Covid 19 Protocols\n In addition to Dana to the teachers\, Clear Sky Meditation Centre provides an incredible space for your retreat.  Situated on a beautiful 310-acre property in the Rocky Mountains\, the center and its karma yogis provides you nourishing daily meals and comfortable accomodation. \nPlease go to the retreat registration page for this retreat for details of the all inclusive fee for the two week retreat. \nCovid-19 Protocols\nPlease note\, we are taking measures to keep us all healthy during this retreat\, including: \n\nYou must have experienced no symptoms associated with covid-19 in the past 14 days.\nYou have not travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days.\nPhysical distancing (2m) amongst all visiting retreatants will be observed during this retreat.\nPlease bring your own face mask(s) that you will feel comfortable wearing. When physical distancing is not possible during this retreat\, you will be asked to wear a mask.\nSanitation and hand washing procedures will be explained when you come and must be followed.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Detailed Daily Schedule\n Specific times may change (MST) \n\n\n\nRETREAT DAILY SCHEDULE\n\n\n\n\n\n\n6:30 – 7:30 AM\nWalk &/or Personal Practice\n\n\n7:30 – 8:15 AM\nBreakfast: Prepare\, eat\, clean up\n\n\n8:15 – 8:45 AM\nWalk &/or Personal Practice\n\n\n9:00 – 10:00 AM\nClass with Teachers\n\n\n10:00 – 10:30 AM\nWalk\n\n\n10:30 – 11:30 AM\nGroup Practice lead by Sangha\n\n\n11:30 – 12:30 PM\nPersonal Practice\n\n\n12:30 – 1:30 PM\nLunch: Prepare\, eat\, clean up\n\n\n1:30 – 3:00 PM\nPersonal Practice\n\n\n3:00 – 4:00 PM\nGroup Practice lead by Sangha\n\n\n4:00 – 5:30 PM\nPersonal Practice\n\n\n5:30 – 7:00 PM \nDinner: prepare\, eat\, clean up\n\n\n7:00 – 7:30 PM\nWalk &/or Personal Practice\n\n\n7:30 – 8:30 PM\nGroup Practice and Q & A with Teachers\n\n\n8:30 – beyond\nPersonal Practice & bed\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ready to Register?\nPlease click on the buttons below to register for either retreat option.  If you have questions about the retreat\, please phone 250-429-3929\, or contact michelle@clearskycenter.org. \n \n RETREAT AT CLEAR SKY\n \n RETREAT AT HOME (ONline) URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/sixteen-stages-insight-meditation-retreat-2020/ LOCATION:Clear Sky Meditation & Study Centre\, 3567 Cockell Rd\, Bull River\, British Columbia\, V0B1N0\, Canada CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Retreats ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/sixteen-stages-of-insight.jpg GEO:49.615543;-115.6300709 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Clear Sky Meditation & Study Centre 3567 Cockell Rd Bull River British Columbia V0B1N0 Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=3567 Cockell Rd:geo:-115.6300709,49.615543 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20200725T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20200726T113000 DTSTAMP:20260810T061208Z CREATED:20200608T221517Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260810T061208Z UID:10000598-1595671200-1595763000@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:2 Steps to Freedom: Change How You Act in the World by Changing How You See It DESCRIPTION:2 Steps to Freedom\n Online Public Talks | July 25th & 26th\, 2020\n People sometimes find themselves lost\, confused\, uncertain\, or doubtful about their path. Indeed\, the nature of samsara is that we get caught in chasing the same things\, over and over. \nYet right now\, you may be one of many people who see the disruption of 2020 as an opportunity to press reset on important aspects of your life. The problem is\, without the right focus\, without putting the right view first\, we’ll almost certainly end up in the same place. \n  \n DetailsRegister\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What does this mean? And how can we break free?\nEven in good states\, we work mostly on autopilot. We’re making decisions that come from our mind\, emotions\, memory\, or from a sense of “worldly” practicality. Or perhaps we close our eyes and hope that things will work out. Mostly\, we act from the idea that our worldly lives are fundamentally “real\,” something we need to control or to fix. By putting this view first\, however\, we’re basing our decisions and actions on the influences of our society\, family\, and changing states or emotions. So what’s the alternative? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Weekend Experience\n\nIn these two talks\, Dharma teachers Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat will propose that to get wonderful results from life we must start with questioning and adjusting this view. Without the right view\, our conduct cannot possibly flow in a wholesome\, generative way. \n[Note: Video recordings will be available to those who are unable to make the live teachings starting on the evening of Sunday\, July 26th. They will be accessible until end of the day Friday July 31st. You must register before the event in order to access these recordings.]  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What is the view?\nThe teachings show us that the ego is not real\, that nothing is permanent. Hence\, our first goal is to learn to dwell in a spacious clarity that is not dependent on conditions. \nWhile such fundamental truths are hard (for our egos) to grasp\, let alone keep in the forefront as we go about our daily lives\, we must nevertheless work from this understanding if we’re to hope for wonderful results. \nAs we learn to change the view to support the transcendental\, we also learn to be less affected when we don’t get what we want. In other words\, as we put the correct view first more and more\, it creates a shift in our judgement of how things are going. Instead of seeing the details of what we did or did not get along the way\, we instead begin to monitor how well our conduct is supporting and in alignment with what is most important to us. \nTo learn more about how this looks\, and for specific tools and techniques you can apply day to day\, join Doug and Catherine for these online talks: 2 Steps to Freedom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Qapel Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Qapel (Achariya Doug Duncan) and Sensei (Catherine Pawasarat) were Planet Dharma’s founding teachers. Since Qapel passed away in 2024\, Catherine Sensei is our head teacher and lineage holder. Qapel and Sensei also founded Clear Sky Meditation Center\, BC\, Canada. \nQapel (Achariya Doug Duncan) received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Qapel embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat Sensei has trained daily with Qapel (Acariya Doug Duncan) since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine Sensei also draws on generative living and the arts. With Qapel she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nFees and Dāna\nThis course is offered by the teachers on the ancient principle of generosity\, or Dāna.  \nLocation:\nOnline (Zoom) \nDate and Time: \nSaturday July 25th & Sunday July 26th\, 2020 \n10am – 11:30am both days \n \n Register Here URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/2-steps-to-freedom/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Public Classes ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2-Steps-to-Freedom-Banner.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200615 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200713 DTSTAMP:20260608T060011Z CREATED:20190919T222129Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260608T060011Z UID:10000585-1592179200-1594598399@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Beyond the Cushion: Awakening our Highest Potential (Online) DESCRIPTION:Beyond the Cushion: Awakening our Highest Potential\n A Four Week Online Course | Starts June 15\, 2020\n We appreciate that many of you are at home with more discretionary time than usual. It’s a valuable opportunity to cultivate your spiritual practice. This will help you to navigate these changing times as a grounded\, clear\, and heart-centered being\, just what the world needs more of. To support you\, we’ve moved the online course we had planned for August up to June. Join us and grow your spiritual life\, for the benefit of all beings. \nOne might equate the spiritual life with a cloistered contemplative life.  But few of us live that way today.  What spiritual methodologies actually work for busy\, modern people living in a complex world?  In this online course we will share four pillars and five principles to take your practice beyond the meditation cushion. \n The CourseRegistration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Beyond the Cushion\nIf you’re like most people who care about the planet and growing your self-awareness\, you may have tried many practices to find deeper meaning and fulfillment in life\, such as yoga\, counseling\, books\, courses\, meditation. If\, after all these sincere efforts\, your daily life still isn’t working as well as you’d like\, there are reasons for this. And better yet\, there are ways to address and transcend it. \nIn this four-week online course\, Dharma Teachers Doug Duncan and Catherine Parawasarat share the essence of their spiritual training methodology. They describe four major training pillars and five principles for spiritual practice in the modern world. \nRooted in classical Buddhist training\, these methods are adapted for Western seekers by incorporating modern psychology\, therapy and philosophy. These practices support you to make changes in outdated views\, limiting habits and conflicted emotions. In other words\, this framework can help you take yourself to greater spiritual liberation. \nDoug and Catherine emphasize practice both as individuals and in community. Changing all this takes courage and work and revolutionizes your personal status quo. \nThe results? More joy\, more creativity\, more compassion\, more freedom\, and a greater sense of the true wealth of a life of awakening. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The [Online] course went beyond my expectations\, I feel I learned a lot of new things or new ways of seeing things. The teachers have an incredible way of presenting the themes in a way that makes it easy to understand. They also make the teachings fun and suggest exercises so that you can apply them in your life. \n Irene Arriaza\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I was expecting to get pearls of wisdom and I always get far far more. The  teachings always speak directly to me. It is uncanny. It is like hearing a language that I spoke in some other life-form and suddenly it rings a bell. And bell after bell. Like a universal language that we all used to speak but have forgotten\, and now as if a new pathway in the brain has opened up and the signals coming in are making sense! Directly from the cosmos via Doug and Catherine Sensei. \n Renata Drtinova\n Psychotherapist (Gestalt therapist) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The teachers of Planet Dharma [Online course] aim to provide opportunities to learn from age old teachings while including modern information as they are examples of continuing to learn about the fascinating\, yet troubled world we live in. They help one to develop ideas how to help out society\, live in society and contribute to themselves and others. \n Daniel O'Brien\n Author\, Japan Series \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Schedule\nStarts June 15\, 2020\nPLEASE NOTE to deepen and integrate your experience\, we are offering three optional weekly Master Classes during the course and an at-home Flash Retreat at the end. See below for more details.   \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, June 15\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class One\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We start our journey with an introduction to the unique attributes of the modern day spiritual seeker – that’s you!  What are the challenges\, strengths\, talents and weaknesses for a 21st century person on this journey? Discover how and why we must walk a spiritual path that takes us beyond the meditation cushion\, liberating all aspects of life via the intellect\, sensing\, intuition and feeling functions. \nIn class one\, we will cover one of four important pillars of our spiritual training methodology – the intellect. In other words\, how are you learning\, studying and looking? Could you do so more deeply?  Applying your intellect means to examine your world more closely.  Are you actually paying attention or just sleepwalking through life?   \nWherever we have assumptions\, mental models and fixed views\, we have room to engage our intellect and go deeper.        It might just catapult us into a new way of looking\, being\, and experiencing – and that means more awakening. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, June 22\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class Two\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In this class we ask how well you are really ‘doing? With a focus on the ‘do’ we’ll learn how to fully engage the sensing function. In the doing\, the act of service\, are you fully present with the experience itself?  Are you aware of your movements\, the colour\, the tactility\, the sounds and smells of every moment?   \nKarma yoga\, or service\, helps one live with increasing generosity.  It is about doing what needs to be done in the moment and practicing compassionate communication with the people you are with. It takes our practice beyond the meditation cushion and into a lived\, real world experience.  It helps us embrace community\, and contribute to something beyond ourselves — rather than just paying ‘lip-service’ to an idealised\, intellectualised view of what we think community might be.  \nUltimately\, we stretch our comfort zones to become more than our limited views of ourselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, June 29\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class Three\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In week three\, we dive into meditation\, an indispensable practice of the intuitive function. Meditation is about attentiveness\, concentration\, calm\, bliss and insight.  It may take the form of traditional buddhist meditation practices (tranquility meditations\, insight practice\, rituals and arising yoga) or\, it might take the shape of meditations from the Western Mystical traditions (star group\, creative visualisation and prayer).  \nBy studying with experienced meditation guides\, the path of meditation is safer\, more stable and reliable.  Immersing yourself with teachers in retreat settings becomes extremely powerful and liberative.  And at the same time\, we also train to meditate on the fly\, in our day-to-day activities.   \nMeditation takes us below the ‘surface waves’ of our mind\, and into the still waters below\, where we can finally experience the unitive mind. This is a relief for our typically isolated ego views.  By learning to surrender in meditation\, we realise we are one with everything and everyone.  It can’t get much better than that\, can it? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, July 6\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class Four\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n To wrap up this series\, we take you into the realms of the feeling function\, via Therapy and integrating the ‘shadow’.  Shadow work integrates the ‘taboo’ aspects of the psyche\, the parts of ourselves that we don’t want to look at\, that we are afraid of\, or have rejected.  Spiritual practice often focuses on re-discovering the light. With shadow work\, we do the important work of bringing the light into the dark.  \nOn the spiritual path\, the Teachers and community of practitioners supportively hold up a mirror for you to see the unconscious forces in your being.   \nWhat are those unconscious forces?  Common themes in our collective shadow\, relate to money\, sex and power. If the spiritual path is about surrendering to the unitive state\, can you surrender your feelings of power and control? Can you surrender your beliefs about sex? Can you surrender the security your ego ties to money? Or\, at least\, can you see how hard it is to surrender your views about these things?  By seeing the block\, walls and the fixedity of the ego’s attitudes to certain taboo areas\, we become more conscious and freer. \nAnd\, it is through shadow work\, that we learn what a “good friend” actually means… don’t you wonder? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Study and Meditation Electives\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Master Classes\n \n \n \n \n \n Three Sundays\n \n \n \n \n \n There are weekly Master Classes (akin to online Q&A Office Hours) during this online course to support your deepening learning and practice\, on the following dates at 3pm MST: \n\nSun. June 21\nSun. June 28\nSun. July 5\n\nYou can elect to attend all three or individual dates. \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration & Dana links for Master Classes will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat\n \n \n \n \n \n July 10-12\, 2020\n \n \n \n \n \n Elect to deepen your practice via a Flash Retreat during the last weekend of this course.  The retreat provides practitioners a valuable opportunity to integrate and seal the learnings from the online course\, in a format well suited for our contemporary lives. \nThe retreat will include instructions\, online check-ins\, and a Master Class on Sunday\, July 12. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration and Dana links for the Flash Retreat will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \nSangha power – consider organizing or joining regional in-person or online sangha groups to support one another during the online courses and Flash Retreats. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nEach of the four weekly classes in this online course will be video streamed live at 7:30pm MST. The recording will be available for one week after each class. \nStudy and Meditation Opportunities in addition to the classes include Master Classes on three Sundays at 3pm MST\, and a Flash Retreat on July 10-12. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What does the Course Cost?\n We offer this course on the basis of dāna (generosity) plus  an admin fee* of $100 (USD).  The admin fee is to cover the costs of running these online courses – for equipment and software to provide you the teachings online. The teachers’ time and the teaching content itself is offered on the basis of dāna.  Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”\, and is the traditional way in which Buddhist teachings are offered.  With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. You may have come across this in the form of “pay from the heart”. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. We suggest a range between $120 and $500 for this four-week course. For more information on dāna click here. \nExtra Electives:  Registration is for all four online classes in this series. Additionally there are three elective Sunday master classes you can opt to join\, as well as a weekend flash retreat at the end of the four weeks. Registration & Dana links for these will be accessible to you when you have registered for the main course. \n \n \n \n \n \n About the Admin Fee*\n As an international organization that operates year round\, Planet Dharma has a variety of ongoing costs. The admin fee for each online course is designed to help cover some of these expenses. \nIn a traditional model of in-person teachings\, a retreat center or urban meditation center invites teachers to visit. In these cases the centers have infrastructure and organization costs to cover\, which might be covered by an admin fee. For the teaching itself\, dāna to the teachers is offered in a bowl. This honors both the sustainability of the teachers\, and of the supporting center. \nWe’ve tried to recreate this approach online. The teachers’ time and the teaching themselves are offered on the basis of dāna\, separate to the admin fee. With our dāna offering we are making a direct gift of generosity to the teachers to support their teachings and livelihood. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. The admin fee goes to support the infrastructure and organization necessary to support them to teach. As anyone with an online business will know\, it can be surprising the costs of setting up a good infrastructure to support effective teaching and connection online. \nBelow are a few of the work and benefits that your admin fee payment is supporting: \n\nhigh speed internet (to allow interviews and classes on-line)\nonline class systems (Zoom)\nregistration / admin systems (Eventbrite\, Basecamp)\ncommunication systems to keep everyone informed\, share connection details\, teachings and other resources (Mailchimp)\nonline storage (for example\, Dropbox\, to allow us to let students watch recordings\, and to store and share selected teachings in other forms such as podcasts and video later\, and Amazon cloud)\nquality sound\, video and editing equipment (both for live teachings and to provide good enough quality for later sharing as podcasts and video). We are regularly updating our equipment to improve your user experience.\nonline calendar booking system to allow students to book interviews\nwebsite hosting and maintenance for sharing upcoming courses\, teachings\, blogs and other resources.\n\nMay all our efforts be sustainable\, abundant and for the benefit of all beings! We welcome any questions. Please feel free to contact registrar@planetdharma.com \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n * It is a core part of our tradition that no one is excluded from hearing the teachings due to financial constraints. We recognize that the COVID-19 situation may have affected many people’s livelihoods. If this is your situation\, please contact registrar@planetdharma.com to discuss options for reducing or waiving the admin fee. \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n It has been sheer joy to be a participant in the Foundations of Buddhist Philosophy online classes. They made the practice come alive for me and accessible and pertinent to my every-day life. And of course\, I always enjoy Doug and Catherine’s unfailing good humour which put a lighter touch on what can sometimes be a very dry subject. \n Ronda Clanfield\n Resources Specialist\, CBC National TV News (retired) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fabulous mindfulness teachers\, presenting a variety of accessible tools for unfolding\, in a mutual\, community inspired way. It’s great that classes can be watched in person\, virtually\, or within a week depending on one’s schedule. Increase the awareness\, compassion\, wisdom\, strength\, and joy in your life! \n Brendan Ries\n Life Coach\, Teacher and Artist\, Conscious Money \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n [The online classes] are a fantastic tool for me to not get completely lost in Samsara throughout the year\, especially because I don’t live in Canada and cannot be with the teachers so often. I still felt very connected and supported by the Lamas and Sangha. As a result I became much more aware of my state of mind than I would ordinarily.  \n Andrea Netscher\n Physiotherapist\, Germany \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Course is the third of four Online Courses in 2020.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Diamond RealizationJanuary 6\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta: Four Foundations of MindfulnessApril 6\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Beyond the Cushion: Awakening our Highest PotentialJune 15\n Register\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Eye of the Storm: Navigating the Modern WorldOctober 12\n Details URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/beyond-cushion-online-course3-2020/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/diamond-sutra-course.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200406 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200504 DTSTAMP:20260606T061513Z CREATED:20190919T181838Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260606T061513Z UID:10000583-1586131200-1588550399@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:The Four Foundations of Mindfulness: The Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta (Online) DESCRIPTION:Four Foundations of Mindfulness: The Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta\n A Four Week Online Course | Starts April 6\, 2020\n What are the four foundations of mindfulness that provide a platform for insight\, and ‘clear seeing’? Discover indispensable tools for crafting a powerful meditation practice. \n The CourseRegistration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Four Foundations of Mindfulness: The Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta\nWhile we believe any undertaking can be a vehicle for awakening\, there’s no substitute for the power of one’s own profound experience of truth\, gained through meditation. This is why meditation is one of the four foundational practices of our teaching. \nIn this four-week online course\, we take a deep dive to explore the Theravadin tradition of vipassana or insight meditation. We’ll focus on the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta\, or discourse on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness\, which has been described as the most profound discourse the Buddha ever gave on mental development. \nThis simple yet powerful framework will help you extend your meditation experience to everything from subatomic particles to the vastness of space\, and all that’s between. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Recommended Reading\nTo prepare\, please read the full Satipatthana Sutta before class.  You can find a link here: Satipatthana Sutta \nWe also recommend Namgyal Rinpoche’s short and pithy Breath of Awakening\, a commentary on the Anapanasati Sutta\, which is nice background for the Satipatthana Sutta. \nThe book is available at the Clear Sky Center shop\, or through our friends at Bodhi Publishing (recommend ordering well in advance\, as delivery times vary). \n \n Order Here\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The [Online] course went beyond my expectations\, I feel I learned a lot of new things or new ways of seeing things. The teachers have an incredible way of presenting the themes in a way that makes it easy to understand. They also make the teachings fun and suggest exercises so that you can apply them in your life. \n Irene Arriaza\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I was expecting to get pearls of wisdom and I always get far far more. The  teachings always speak directly to me. It is uncanny. It is like hearing a language that I spoke in some other life-form and suddenly it rings a bell. And bell after bell. Like a universal language that we all used to speak but have forgotten\, and now as if a new pathway in the brain has opened up and the signals coming in are making sense! Directly from the cosmos via Doug and Catherine Sensei. \n Renata Drtinova\n Psychotherapist (Gestalt therapist) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The teachers of Planet Dharma [Online course] aim to provide opportunities to learn from age old teachings while including modern information as they are examples of continuing to learn about the fascinating\, yet troubled world we live in. They help one to develop ideas how to help out society\, live in society and contribute to themselves and others. \n Daniel O'Brien\n Author\, Japan Series \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Schedule\nStarts April 6\, 2020\nPLEASE NOTE to deepen and integrate your experience\, we are offering three optional weekly Master Classes during the course and an at-home Flash Retreat at the end. See below for more details.   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, April 6\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 1\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mindfulness of Kaya. Explore awareness of the body\, form\, and the transitions between physical sensations. \nAs with all forms\, the body comes into being\, remains present for a time\, and then passes away. With this practice we can directly experience that the body (and everything else) is impermanent. \nWhat happens when one acknowledges this impermance? Join us and find out. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, April 13\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 2\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mindfulness of Vedana. The second foundation of mindfulness includes cultivating awareness of feelings or evaluations\, and the transitions between them. \nIn this tradition\, there are only three feelings: pleasant\, unpleasant\, and neutral. No story! \nWhat does this dramatic simplification do to our interaction with feelings? As we note a feeling arising\, being present\, and passing away\, how then do we relate to our feelings?   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, April 20\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 3\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mindfulness of Citta. As we cultivate awareness of mind or states of consciousness\, we learn to watch as they arise and pass away. \nWhat then\, is mind? Does it make sense for us to link our wellbeing to our fluctuating states of mind? What choices do we have? We learn the answers through mindfulness of mind.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, April 27\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 4\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mindfulness of Dhammas. As we cultivate ever-greater awareness of phenomena\, we develop awareness of the nature of consciousness (dhammas). \nAre we conscious? How can we become more conscious? Is the universe conscious? How does the consciousness “I” experience relate to greater consciousness? \nIn this online class we explore the contemplation of dhamma for these keys to spiritual awakening.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Study and Meditation Electives\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Master Classes\n \n \n \n \n \n Three Sundays\n \n \n \n \n \n There are weekly Master Classes (akin to online Q&A Office Hours) during this online course to support your deepening learning and practice\, on the following dates at 3pm MST: \n\nSun. April 12\nSun. April 19\nSun. April 26\n\nYou can elect to attend all three or individual dates. \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration & Dana links for Master Classes will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat\n \n \n \n \n \n May 1-3\, 2020\n \n \n \n \n \n Elect to deepen your practice via a Flash Retreat during the last weekend of this course.  The retreat provides practitioners a valuable opportunity to integrate and seal the learnings from the online course\, in a format well suited for our contemporary lives. \nThe retreat will include instructions\, online check ins\, and a Master Class on Sunday\, May. 3 at 3pm MST. \nWe encourage you to attend this weekend retreat at Clear Sky Centre\, or together with your local sangha\, or if those not available to you\, in your home. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration and Dana links for the Flash Retreat will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \nSangha power – consider organizing or joining regional in-person or online sangha groups to support one another during the online courses and Flash Retreats.  \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nEach of the four weekly classes in this online course will be video streamed live at 7:30pm MST. The recording will be available for one week after each class. \nStudy and Meditation Opportunities in addition to the classes include Master Classes on three Sundays at 3pm MST\, and a Flash Retreat. \nReading\nBreath of Awakening by Namgyal Rinpoche. Click for details. \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\nWe offer this course on the basis of dāna (generosity) plus  an admin fee of $100 (USD).  The admin fee* is to cover the costs of running these online courses – for equipment and software to provide you the teachings online. \nThe teacher’s time and the teaching content itself is offered on the basis of dāna.  Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”\, and is the traditional way in which Buddhist teachings are offered.  With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. You may have come across this in the form of “pay from the heart”. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. We suggest a range between $120 and $500 for this four-week course. For more information on dāna click here. \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n Note: Registration is for all four online classes in this series.  Additionally there are three elective Sunday master classes you can opt to join\, as well as a weekend flash retreat at the end of the four weeks.  Registration & Dana links for these will be accessible to you when you have registered for the main course. \n \n \n \n \n \n * It is a core part of our tradition that no one is excluded from hearing the teachings due to financial constraints. We recognize that the COVID-19 situation may have affected many people’s livelihoods. If this is your situation\, please contact registrar@planetdharma.com to discuss options for reducing or waiving the admin fee. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n It has been sheer joy to be a participant in the Foundations of Buddhist Philosophy streamed classes. They made the practice come alive for me and accessible and pertinent to my every-day life. And of course\, I always enjoy Doug and Catherine’s unfailing good humour which put a lighter touch on what can sometimes be a very dry subject. \n Ronda Arnfield\n Resources Specialist\, CBC National TV News (retired) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fabulous mindfulness teachers\, presenting a variety of accessible tools for unfolding\, in a mutual\, community inspired way. It’s great that classes can be watched in person\, virtually\, or within a week depending on one’s schedule. Increase the awareness\, compassion\, wisdom\, strength\, and joy in your life! \n Brendan Ries\n Life Coach\, Teacher and Artist\, Conscious Money \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n [The online classes] are a fantastic tool for me to not get completely lost in Samsara throughout the year\, especially because I don’t live in Canada and cannot be with the teachers so often. I still felt very connected and supported by the Lamas and Sangha. As a result I became much more aware of my state of mind than I would ordinarily.  \n Andrea Netscher\n Physiotherapist\, Germany \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Course is the second of four Online Courses in 2020.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Diamond RealizationJanuary 6\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Satipatthana Sutta: Four Foundations of MindfulnessApril 6\n Register\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Beyond the Cushion: Awakening our Highest PotentialJune 1\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Eye of the Storm: Navigating the Modern WorldOctober 12\n Details URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/foundations-mindfulness-satipatthana-sutta-online-course2-2020/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/clear-seeing-vipassana.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20200328T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20200329T233000 DTSTAMP:20260807T064554Z CREATED:20200224T032609Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260807T064554Z UID:10000595-1585389600-1585524600@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Enlightened Archetypes: Energies We Need to Awaken (ONLINE) DESCRIPTION:Enlightened Archetypes: Energies We Need to Awaken\n Online Public Talks | March 28th & 29th\, 2020\n Renowned psychologist Carl Jung studied archetypes\, including Vajrayana Buddhism. He believed that we all have access to such strong\, healthy archetypes through the collective unconscious\, yet individually they are largely misunderstood or incomplete. \nJung believed that one healing modality is to call them forth into consciousness and make them whole again. Indeed\, enlightenment or the process of awakening\, is referred to as the Great Healing. \n. \n  \n DetailsRegister\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Weekend Experience\n\nIn these two morning talks\, Doug Sensei will focus on the energies and teachings associated with Vajrayana Buddhist archetypes\, and how they can be used wisely and compassionately for our unfoldment. \nNOTE: Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns\, we have restructured this weekend intensive originally set to take place in Calgary into online teachings. The original plan involved a Vajrapani wongkur. We will be looking at a future date when we can reschedule this for the Calgary participants. Stay tuned. In the meantime\, if you would like an immersive experience of tantric deity practice\, we encourage you to join the Tantric Deep Dive retreat that is still set to take place at Clear Sky Retreat Center in June. Click here for more details. \nPart 1 – 10am Saturday Talk: Why do we need archetypes? An introduction to Tibetan deities \nPart 2 – (Postponed) Empowerment Ceremony (Wong Kur) – Vajrapani\, The Body of the Buddha \nPart 3 – 10am Sunday: Embodying awakened energies through the practice \n \n[Note: Video recordings will be available to those who are unable to make the live teachings starting on Monday\, March 30th in the morning. They will be accessible until end of the day Friday April 3rd. You must register before the event in order to access these recordings.]  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher\n \n \n \n \n \n Achariya Doug Duncan has been teaching the Buddhist path to awakening for over three decades.  Known for his direct and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces the full spectrum of the various traditions he employs in order to mentor beings to a more awakened state. His great sense of humour\, caring attitude and sometimes very direct involvement makes him an effective catalyst for opening the shadow\, for very practical application of the teachings\, for humorous and gentle relief when tensions mount and through a diverse range of explorations expands the teachings to include all aspects of life. \nDoug received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nFees and Dāna\nThis course is offered by the Doug Sensei based on the ancient principle of generosity\, or Dāna.  \nLocation:\nOnline (Zoom) \nDate and Time: \nSaturday March 28th & Sunday March 29th\, 2020 \n10am – 11:30am both days \n \n Register Here URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/enlightened-archetypes-calgary/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Public Classes ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Enlightened-Archetypes-MeetUp-Banner.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Dharma Hub Calgary":MAILTO:conscioustransformationcalgary@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200301 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210322 DTSTAMP:20200229T052412Z CREATED:20200229T051724Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200229T052412Z UID:10000596-1583020800-1616371199@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Intro to AstroDharma (A Self-Study Course) DESCRIPTION:Intro to AstroDharma: Online Self Study Program\nIntro to AstroDharma is an online self-study program that supports you as you begin the journey of self-discovery and transformation through the uniquely combined lens of Buddhist teachings (Dharma) and transpersonal Western astrology. \nLearn more or register by visiting the course page. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/intro-to-astrodharma-a-self-study-course/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/intro-astrodharma.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200301 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200302 DTSTAMP:20200229T052557Z CREATED:20160203T205933Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200229T052557Z UID:10000510-1583020800-1583107199@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Intro to AstroDharma (Ongoing Enrollment) DESCRIPTION:  \nIntro to AstroDharma: Online Self Study Program\nIntro to AstroDharma is an online self-study program that supports you as you begin the journey of self-discovery and transformation through the uniquely combined lens of Buddhist teachings (Dharma) and transpersonal Western astrology. \nLearn more or register by visiting the course page. \n  \n  URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/awakening-through-astrology-intro-to-astro-dharma-online-course/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Intro-to-AstroDharma-Banner-web.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200106 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200203 DTSTAMP:20260615T060325Z CREATED:20190822T144749Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260615T060325Z UID:10000580-1578268800-1580687999@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Diamond Realization: Clarity in an Unclear World (Online) DESCRIPTION:Diamond Realization: Clarity in an Unclear World\n A Four Week Online Course | Starts January 6\, 2020\n Let your mind shine like a diamond. A clear and strong consciousness cuts through foggy or disillusioned mind states to reveal wisdom and ultimate truth. By studying the Diamond Sutra\, we deepen our abilities to act in the world more skillfully and effectively with a profound reverence for every moment. \n The CourseSchedule\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Diamond Sutra\nDeepen your own unfoldment with our exploration of the Diamond Sutra through the scope of awakened master\, Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche. \n\nOne of the most treasured sutras in the Mahayana canon\, the Diamond Sutra is also recognized as the oldest dated and printed book in existence. The full translation of the book’s title is “The Diamond Which Cuts Through Illusion.” \n“Whosoever can receive and retain this teaching\, study it\, recite it and spread it abroad will be clearly perceived and recognized by the Tathagata and will achieve a perfection of merit beyond measurement or calculation – a perfection of merit unlimited and inconceivable.” \n– The Buddha (The Diamond Sutra\, Section XV\, The Incomparable Value of This Teaching) \n\n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Recommended Reading\n For this online study of the Diamond Sutra\, we will use Suchness\, the commentary by the great awakened master Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche.  \nWe recommend that you order a copy of Suchness from Bodhi Publishing for the course.  Shipping times may vary so we suggest doing this at your earliest convenience.  \n \n Order Here\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Schedule\nStarts January 6th\, 2020 \nPLEASE NOTE to deepen and integrate your experience\, we are offering three optional weekly Master Classes during the course and an at-home Flash Retreat at the end. See below for more details.   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, JANUARY 6\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 1\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In this class we explore the context of the Diamond Sutra: how was Buddhist philosophy evolving at the time the Diamond Sutra emerged\, and what monumental shift in spiritual perception does it herald? \nWhat exactly made Subhuti one of the Buddha’s “best” students? How did the Buddha explain how we could control thoughts? And how is all this relevant for our own practice today?  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, January 13\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 2\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The diamond or thunderbolt cuts through delusional states of mind to reveal wisdom and ultimate truth. \nThis class explores the nature of birth and existence; the practice of bodhisattvas; the nature of Mind Only; and how to use thought to end all thought.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, January 20\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 3\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In this class we review how faith empowers beings to enter the stream of awakening. \nTo this end\, we must put aside all our efforts to build up a permanent identity\, which by definition cannot exist. We look at how the Diamond Sutra heavily influenced Chinese Ch’an and Japanese Zen schools of Buddhism: Enlightenment is empty and therefore beyond concepts or expression. \nDespite turning no dharmas into dharmas\, bodhisattvas remain unattached to both. What is the one question between you and enlightenment? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, January 27\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 4\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Explore the illusory nature of self\, and the pursuit of non-attachment and emptiness as ultimate reality. \nHow can we do this\, when truth is beyond words? The Diamond Sutra teaches us that all limitations are constructs of the mind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Study and Meditation Electives\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Master Classes\n \n \n \n \n \n Three Sundays\n \n \n \n \n \n There are weekly Master Classes (akin to online Q&A Office Hours) during this online course to support your deepening learning and practice\, on the following dates at 3pm MST: \n\nSun. Jan 12\nSun. Jan 19\nSun. Jan 26\n\nYou can elect to attend all three or individual dates. \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration & Dana links for Master Classes will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat\n \n \n \n \n \n January 31-February 2\n \n \n \n \n \n Elect to deepen your practice via an at-home Flash Retreat during the last weekend of this course.  This two-night retreat provides practitioners a valuable opportunity to integrate and seal the learnings from the online course\, in a format well suited for our contemporary lives. \nThe retreat will include instructions\, online check ins\, and a Master Class on Sunday\, Feb. 2. \nWe encourage you to attend this weekend retreat at Clear Sky Centre\, or together with your local sangha\, or if those not available to you\, in your home. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration and Dana links for the Flash Retreat will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \nSangha power – consider organizing or joining regional in-person or online sangha groups to support one another during the online courses and Flash Retreats.  \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Getting Naked: Watch a Video on the Diamond Sutra\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nEach of the four weekly classes in this online course will be video streamed live at 7:30pm MST. The recording will be available for one week after each class. \nStudy and Meditation Opportunities in addition to the classes include Master Classes on three Sundays at 3pm MST\, and a Flash Retreat on Jan 31-Feb 2. \nReading\nFor reading the Diamond Sutra\, we highly recommend Namgyal Rinpoche’s book Suchness – The Diamond State Of Realization available from Bodhi Publishing.   \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\nWe offer this course on the basis of dāna (generosity) plus  an admin fee of $100 (USD).  The admin fee is to cover the costs of running these online courses – for equipment and software to provide you the teachings online. \nThe teacher’s time and the teaching content itself is offered on the basis of dāna.  Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”\, and is the traditional way in which Buddhist teachings are offered.  With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. You may have come across this in the form of “pay from the heart”. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. We suggest a range between $120 and $500 for this four-week course. For more information on dāna click here. \n \n \n \n \n \n Note: this registration is for all four online classes in this series.  Additionally there are three elective Sunday master classes you can opt to join\, as well as a weekend flash retreat at the end of the four weeks.  Registration & Dana links for these will be accessible to you when you have registered for the main course. \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n It has been sheer joy to be a participant in the Foundations of Buddhist Philosophy streamed classes. They made the practice come alive for me and accessible and pertinent to my every-day life. And of course\, I always enjoy Doug and Catherine’s unfailing good humour which put a lighter touch on what can sometimes be a very dry subject. \n Ronda Arnfield\n Resources Specialist\, CBC National TV News (retired) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fabulous mindfulness teachers\, presenting a variety of accessible tools for unfolding\, in a mutual\, community inspired way. It’s great that classes can be watched in person\, virtually\, or within a week depending on one’s schedule. Increase the awareness\, compassion\, wisdom\, strength\, and joy in your life! \n Brendan Ries\n Life Coach\, Teacher and Artist\, Conscious Money \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n [The online classes] are a fantastic tool for me to not get completely lost in Samsara throughout the year\, especially because I don’t live in Canada and cannot be with the teachers so often. I still felt very connected and supported by the Lamas and Sangha. As a result I became much more aware of my state of mind than I would ordinarily.  \n Andrea Netscher\n Physiotherapist\, Germany \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Course is the first of four Online Courses in 2020.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Diamond Realization: Clarity in an Unclear WorldJanuary 6\n Register\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta: Four Foundations of MindfulnessApril 6\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Getting Your House in Order: Elements of a Spiritual ContainerAugust 3\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Manifesting the Path of VictoryOctober 5\n Details URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/diamond-sutra-online-2020/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/diamond-cuts-through-illusion.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190909 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191001 DTSTAMP:20260522T114634Z CREATED:20180921T012516Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260522T114634Z UID:10000566-1567987200-1569887999@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Crazy Wisdom: Taking a Walk on the Wild Side DESCRIPTION:Crazy Wisdom: Taking a Walk on the Wild Side\n A Four Week Online Course | Starts September 9\, 2019\n It takes courage and an open mind to explore the frontiers of awakening. What’s more\, this greater range of understanding creates something we all desire: greater degrees of freedom. And freedom ain’t for the faint of heart. \n The CourseSchedule\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Crazy Wisdom: Taking a Walk on the Wild Side\nMeditation trains us to pay attention in any and every situation\, making a broader range of experience available to seekers of every type. \nWhat’s more\, this greater range of understanding creates something we all desire: greater degrees of freedom. And freedom ain’t for the faint of heart. \nIt takes courage and an open mind to explore the frontiers of awakening.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Schedule\nStarts September 9\, 2019 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, SEPTEMBER 9 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Spiritual Energy Traders\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What do our relationships with our mothers\, capitalism\, and the Triple Gem have in common? Without mindfulness and a robust sense of love\, all may fall into an exploitative dynamic\, one that’s not in our own best interest. How can we live abundantly and generously as spiritual beings in a capitalist system? We look at the sophistication of giving and receiving skills\, the future of sacred economics\, and how these impact our spiritual awakening.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, September 16\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Only the Shadow Knows\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Developments in 20th-century psychology introduced us to the concept of our personal and collective shadows. Integrating the shadow is central to our teaching\, and can feel arduous and distressing at times\, but brings with it infinite rewards. Liberating the shadow frees up immense amounts of energy previously spent repressing or otherwise avoiding it\, and helps us become much more pleasant\, effective and beneficial (loving) beings. So what does it take? What kinds of things can I do on my own and what do I need help with? How and from who?\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, September 23 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n AstroDharma\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n AstroDharma allows us to use relative truth of our astrological charts to better understand the karmically shaped or conditioned self. We then use dharma and transpersonal psychology to understand how to transcend the limitations of this self. In this way it’s a powerful tool for bridging relative and absolute truths\, and the right and left brain\, as experienced in daily life. In this class we share some of the aspects of AstroDharma that we’ve found have the greatest transformative potential. You’ll better understand how these dynamics are at play in your own life\, and how to use them for your unfoldment. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, September 30\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Money\, Sex and Power\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The nature of the ego is to seek security\, an unassailable identity\, and control. All of these are ego defenses rooted in the lower three chakras. The thing is\, this quest makes for a fragile and limited life. If we feel driven to always be in control\, for example\, opportunities for joyful spontaneity are drastically reduced. The spiritual life supports us to cultivate flexibility and freedom\, and to make choices based in loving kindness compassion and wisdom. Through this process our three lower chakras become more strengthened and healthier\, plus we develop the strength and courage to choose to live from the upper four chakras. Then we get to enjoy the wonders\, joys and other benefits of living well from the heart and intuition as spiritual beings. And we still get to enjoy the upsides of healthy money\, sex\, and power.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 4-6\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Flash Retreat provides practitioners with a valuable opportunity to integrate and seal the learnings from the Crazy Wisdom online course\, in a format well suited for our contemporary lives. We encourage you to attend this weekend retreat at Clear Sky\, or together with your local sangha\, or if those not available to you\, in your home. Planet Dharma provides themes\, meditations and guidelines to support Flash Retreat participants in the diamond and ruby levels. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nEach of the four weekly classes in this online course will be video streamed live at 7:30pm MST. The recording will be available for one week after each class. \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\nWe offer this course on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this is the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. We suggest a range between $120 and $500 for this four week course. \n \n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Course is the third of three Online Courses in 2019.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Pearl Without PriceStarts January 21\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riding the DragonStarts June 3\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Crazy WisdomStarts Sept 9\n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug & Catherine’s teachings are a rallying cry for all those who want no-holds-barred\, honest guidance on the path of awakening.  I’m thoroughly inspired by the spiritual potential we all have\, and sobered by the challenges we face as a species and global consciousness.  The path they lay out makes it clear that the journey is worth taking. \n Cara Conroy-Low\n Acupuncturist\, Canada \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug and Catherine are always burning calories to get you back on a path that can lead toward greater self-awareness. When I am with these two very clear individuals\, I am humbled by their dedication to others\, and understand the every-waking-moment responsibility that comes with their calling. \n Peter Ujlaki\n Fine Art Dealer\, Japan \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n If you get a chance to study with Doug and Catherine\, don’t miss it. Through the power of long dedication\, deep meditation\, and wise guidance\, life can definitely be transformed. \n Paul Jaffe\n Retired Professor & Meditation Teacher\, New York URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/crazy-wisdom-taking-a-walk-on-the-wild-side/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/3.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20190603T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20190630T170000 DTSTAMP:20260625T051053Z CREATED:20180921T014854Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260625T051053Z UID:10000567-1559548800-1561914000@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Riding the Dragon: Spiritual Awakening in Modern Life DESCRIPTION:Riding the Dragon: Spiritual Awakening in Modern Life\n A Four Week Online Course | Starts June 3\, 2019\n How do we integrate our spiritual practice with the demands of modern life? As more of us embrace contemporary spiritual paths\, we are co-creating ways to make it viable\, attractive and powerful. \n The CourseSchedule\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riding the Dragon: Spiritual Awakening in Modern Life\nAs more and more of us embrace modern spiritual paths\, we are co-creating ways to make it viable\, attractive and powerful. How do we integrate our spiritual practice with the demands of modern life? To help ease the learning curve for others\, we share our wisdom from founding both a virtual and a working monastery. We address the common challenges we see many contemporary spiritual practitioners face. More to the point\, we share successful strategies for upcycling these challenges as fuel for the awakening fire. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Schedule\nStarts June 3\, 2019. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, JUNE 3\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Awakening Through Creativity\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The awakening mind rests in spaciousness or sunyata\, where all thoughts\, feelings\, actions\, and states of being from past\, present and future exist simultaneously. All of creation is birthed from this state of spaciousness. To “find” a solution\, to receive inspiration to craft something beautiful\, to introduce an invention that makes our lives better\, or to develop a better future for the planet\, we simply need to connect with sunyata to create the space and connection for these to emerge through us. Expand your view of what “creativity” is\, and develop your ability to connect with this awakening practice. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, JUNE 10\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Secrets From Ourselves:\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n When we think of “secrets” we usually think of something we do or don’t share with others\, or what they do or don’t keep from us. Some of us like a feeling of transparency\, while some of us get a thrill from keeping little secrets. This usually involves conscious choice. The real secrets are the things we haven’t yet acknowledged to ourselves. The thing is\, if it’s secret for ourselves\, it’s secret from others too––we just don’t know it. We could say the self is like an iceberg\, with 90% below water! Compare this with a fully awakened being\, who has brought every dark corner of the psyche into the light of transcendence\, and has no secrets left. What is left\, then? Loving kindness\, compassion\, empathetic joy and equanimity. Plus bliss and wisdom. This online class shares how to get there from here.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, JUNE 17\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Why the “Secret” Teachings Are Secret\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tibetan Buddhism holds that teachings are “self-secret” in that we can only understand them when we are ready to do so. In spiritual communities we can be confused what integral theory refers to as states and stages. “States” are internal kinds of consciousness that come and go\, while “stages” represent levels of growth and development that have been hard-won\, integrated into our daily lives\, and are thus permanent. At more developed stages\, we can understand and integrate deeper\, previously “secret” teachings. How can we use our wholesome states as a resource to further develop our stages? And how can we have the discernment to perceive different stages so we can speak\, act and live most skillfully? This topic is central to Vajrayana teachings and can be mistakenly perceived as controversial; this class will help us develop the understanding\, serenity and competence needed to incorporate it into our practice.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, JUNE 24\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Western Tantra\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Sanskrit word “tantra” translates to “weaving” or “tapestry” in English. This begs the question: weave what? In this class we go off-road to expand the traditional perception of tantra to include archetypes from other traditions\, to show the unifying mind behind these creations. This connective energy is meant to lead one out of the struggles of clinging and attachment. In this class we share how non-clinging and greater freedom are the results. We’ll draw on creative visualization to access the intuitive wisdom of the right brain and increase right-left brain cohesion.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FRI\, JUNE 28 – sun\, June 30\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Flash Retreat provides practitioners with a valuable opportunity to integrate and seal the learnings from the Riding the Dragon online course\, in a format well suited for our contemporary lives. We encourage you to attend this weekend retreat at Clear Sky\, or together with you local sangha\, or if those not available to you\, in your home. Planet Dharma provides themes\, meditations and guidelines to support Flash Retreat participants in the Year of Pureland program (Diamond\, Ruby & Sapphire levels). \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nEach of the four weekly classes in this online course will be video streamed live at 7:30pm MST. The recording will be available for one week after each class. \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\nWe offer this course on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this is the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. We suggest a range between $120 and $500 for this four week course. \n \n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Course is the second of three Online Courses in 2019.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Pearl Without PriceStarts January 21\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riding the DragonStarts June 3\n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Crazy WisdomStarts Sept 9\n Details URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/riding-the-dragon-spiritual-awakening-in-modern-life/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20190121T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20190217T170000 DTSTAMP:20260629T051138Z CREATED:20180910T072948Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T051138Z UID:10000564-1548057600-1550422800@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:The Pearl without Price: Why Awaken? DESCRIPTION:The Pearl Without Price: Why Awaken?\n A Four Week Online Course | Starts January 21\, 2019\n   \n“Why awaken?” This may be the most important question a spiritual practitioner ever asks. This course provides context and direction on the journey to spiritual awakening. \n The CourseSchedule\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Pearl Without Price: Online Course\nThis course is for visionaries. For anyone who wants to live a good and happy life\, who cares about their community and dreams of a healthier and more harmonious planet. Drawing on over fifty years of experience\, discover how spiritual awakening in this lifetime is an accessible\, compelling and very sane aspiration – particularly in these times of uncertain change. Would you like to suffer less and benefit all beings? Join us and learn how. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Schedule\nStarts January 21\, 2019\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mon\, Jan 21\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Vision\n7:30pm MST\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We must hold a complete or integrated view in order to manifest our best potential\, awaken more fully and benefit all beings. But what does that look like? Discover the fundamentals of cultivating emptiness\, spaciousness and no-self in our lives. And more to the point\, the many compelling reasons why we do this. This understanding and way of being is the most beautiful\, and requires the least effort. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mon\, Jan 28\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Spiritual Awakening in the Modern World\n7:30pm MST\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This spiritual path originated in monastic or hermetic life. Monks and nuns renounced busy day-to-day life in order to focus on awakening. Today\, the majority of us live alone\, while wired into media and internet rather than nature. Coming together to practice in community has become the modern spiritual challenge. But why does this shift matter and how is it relevant to your spiritual practice? Discover how integrating the traditional spiritual path with the modern world is imperative for healing rifts between nations\, races\, genders and in nature. This practice invariably helps us grow a resilient planetary vehicle for collective awakening. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mon\, Feb 4\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n If you want the Present You have to Open the Box\n7:30pm MST\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The ego spends most of its time and energy seeking self-interest\, self-protection and self-promotion. Yet no matter how grand we appear in our careers\, in the world and online\, we’re still locked in a self-imposed box. Media and consumerism exploit this fundamental ego insecurity by convincing us we need to fix\, improve\, and decorate our boxes. This exploitation makes our modern lives busy with inconsequential and energy-draining thoughts and activities. So\, what do we do with the box? How can get the present? Explore the priceless gifts of awakening – bliss\, wisdom\, and a sense of meaning and “coming home.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mon\, Feb 11\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Protecting Against Hurt is What Hurts\n7:30pm MST\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Life can be traumatic. It’s natural to protect against experiencing pain\, such as wearing a seatbelt in a car or guarding your heart with a new lover. Over time\, this defence accumulates into a kind of psychic fat suit that gets between us and a joyful\, meaningful life. What started as well-intentioned protection from heartbreak can often end in loneliness. When we learn to let go of the protection\, we start experiencing rewarding relationships––with our self and others––and a beautiful life worth living. Next we learn to let go of hurt itself\, releasing ourselves into a wonderful\, generative state of peace. In this class we share the nuts and bolts of how to do it. Say goodbye to loneliness and hello to a life that is more vibrant\, fascinating and blissful.     \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Feb 15-17\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat\nFriday-Sunday\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Flash Retreat provides practitioners with a valuable opportunity to integrate and seal the learnings from the Pearl without Price online course\, in a format well suited for our contemporary lives. We encourage you to attend this weekend retreat at Clear Sky\, or together with you local sangha\, or if those not available to you\, in your home. Planet Dharma provides themes\, meditations and guidelines to support Flash Retreat participants in the diamond and ruby levels.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nEach of the four weekly classes in this online course will be video streamed live at 7:30pm MST. The recording will be available for one week after each class. \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\nWe offer this course on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this is the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. We suggest a range between $120 and $500 for this four week course. \n \n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Course is the first of three Online Courses in 2019.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Pearl Without PriceStarts January 21\n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riding the DragonStarts June 3\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Crazy WisdomStarts Sept 9\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug & Catherine’s teachings are a rallying cry for all those who want no-holds-barred\, honest guidance on the path of awakening.  I’m thoroughly inspired by the spiritual potential we all have\, and sobered by the challenges we face as a species and global consciousness.  The path they lay out makes it clear that the journey is worth taking. \n Cara Conroy-Low\n Acupuncturist\, Canada \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug and Catherine are always burning calories to get you back on a path that can lead toward greater self-awareness. When I am with these two very clear individuals\, I am humbled by their dedication to others\, and understand the every-waking-moment responsibility that comes with their calling. \n Peter Ujlaki\n Fine Art Dealer\, Japan \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n If you get a chance to study with Doug and Catherine\, don’t miss it. Through the power of long dedication\, deep meditation\, and wise guidance\, life can definitely be transformed. \n Paul Jaffe\n Retired Professor & Meditation Teacher\, New York URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/the-pearl-without-price-why-awaken/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/The-Pearl-Without-Price-tall.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR