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:20160313T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20161106T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20170312T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20171105T080000 END:STANDARD 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 END:VTIMEZONE 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 \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\, 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/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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 X/TwitterThis 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/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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 FacebookThis 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 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 URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/buddhist-end-of-life-contemplative-care/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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/ LOCATION:British Columbia CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/The-Pearl-Without-Price-tall.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190101 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200101 DTSTAMP:20190711T175035Z CREATED:20190711T172902Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190711T175035Z UID:10000417-1546300800-1577836799@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Intro to Astrodharma DESCRIPTION:AstroDharma: Awakening Through Astrology\n Introductory Online Course\n Astrology and Buddhism?! These are two powerful tools to help us better understand ourselves as individuals\, our lives\, the nature of being human\, and the universe around us.  \nThe unique combination of Astrology and Dharma gives us unprecedented leverage to draw on personal strengths to transform personal and situational challenges. Intro to AstroDharma is designed to support you on your spiritual path and thereby benefit others. \n EnrollCourse Overview\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Course?\nThe combination of Dharma and Transpersonal Astrology is a powerful method to help you to understand your soul map––your natal astrology chart–– and your unique Hero’s Journey depicted therein.  \nWith the Teachings of the Buddha\, also known as “Buddhadharma” or just “dharma” we gain insights from 2500 years of profound consciousness studies. With Transpersonal Astrology we draw on Western Greco-Roman mythology plus Jungian principles and archetypes to help us understand ourselves\, others and the cosmos.  \n \n \n \n \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 Overview\n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Overview\n Understand the Map of Your Soul’s Journey & Transform Challenges \n Intro 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 the Fundamentals of Astrology \nThis introductory course will help you get to know your own astrological birth chart. Along the way\, you learn the spectrum of corresponding characteristics that you can choose to manifest in your life and your personality\, as shown through the zodiacal signs\, the planets and the houses. \nIf you don’t quite understand what this means\, this course offers an exciting learning frontier … and you will understand by the course’s end. \nBonus: A Dharmic Perspective for Self-Realization \nIntro to AstroDharma is different from a typical astrology course in that it takes a dharmic perspective.* In addition to learning about how to read your own astrological birth chart\, we’ll focus on how to harness and develop its positive elements wisely. We’ll also share how to recognize and overcome those that may be out-of-balance or manifesting in a way that’s slowing down your self-realization. \nAs part of this course\, you’ll be encouraged to meditate on the basic themes of each lesson. This serves to allow you to recognize which elements are helping or challenging you. You can then use this knowledge to redirect your energy into more effective patterns of living.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Curriculum\n Program Details \nThrough this course\, you will learn to: \n\nRead the fundamentals of your own astrological birth chart.\nIdentify the 12 zodiacal signs and their most important characteristics.\nIdentify the planets and other celestial bodies\, and their major qualities.\nUnderstand the functions and main characteristics of the twelve astrological houses.\nUnderstand how these features indicate tendencies you may have in your personality\, as both resources and challenges.\nLearn potential alternatives to these manifestations\, opening yourself to a greater range of choices in your life.\n\n  \n\nAside from the course overview and welcome\, this self-study course has 12 modules\, one for each sign of the zodiac. \nWe appreciate the challenge of balancing self-growth and busy schedules. So we’ve aimed to hit the sweet spot of fun and legitimate learning that doesn’t take a lot of time. Thus each module is designed so that it can be completed within two hours. \n\nRead the module content and listen to the corresponding video for each module (less than 1 hour)\nStudy your chart\, corresponding planets\, houses and aspects (about 15 minutes per module).\nDo guided meditations on each component of the lessons (about 15 minutes per module).\nReflect on and journal around how these characteristics and key words manifest in your life\, both as resources and challenges (15 minutes and up\, based on how deeply you would like to explore this).\nParticipate in forum discussion (optional).\nTotal approximate time per module: Two hours.\n\n  \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Teacher Bios\n Catherine Pawasarat \nCatherine Pawasarat has been studying and teaching astrology since the early 1990s\, and for more than 20 years has had an intensive Buddhist apprenticeship––rare in the modern West––under the mentorship of Acariya Doug Duncan of Planet Dharma. \nShe is the Chief Visionary Officer and co-founder with Doug Duncan of the Clear Sky Retreat Center in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia. \nShe lived in Kyoto\, Japan for 20+ years. Before she began her intensive Buddhist practice\, she was a student of metaphysics and an ayahuascera\, and helped establish Santo Daime in Japan. \nIn addition to Planet Dharma and Clear Sky\, her website GionFestival.orgshares her ground-breaking work on the spiritual traditions and sustainability of Kyoto’s 1100-year-old Gion Festival. \n \n \n \n \n \n FAQs\n When does this course start? \nThis course is asynchronous\, you can start at any time you like and you will have access to move freely through the materials whenever it is convenient. \nHow long will I have access to the course? \nYou will have access to the videos\, lectures and courses material for one full year from the date of enrollment. \nHow does online learning work? \nIn this program\, we open the entire curriculum to you immediately upon your registration. You can proceed with the course material one module each week or choose to move through at your own pace\, whatever works best for your schedule. Once a module opens it is available 24/7 for the duration of the course so you can access the content as often as you like. \nEach module builds on the previous one. Since human memory can be unreliable (we like the analogy of memory as an ever-changing compost heap)\, we strongly encourage you to design your own schedule before you begin the course. \nOne approach is to put appointments to do a module or part of a module – two hours a week\, or an hour twice a week\, or biweekly\, whatever suits you – into your schedule. This helps you stay on track\, tweaking the schedule as you figure out what works best for you and your learning style. \nWe’re here to support your journey and our team is ready to answer any questions you may have. Our goal is to help you feel fully comfortable with the experience. \nThis course is called “Intro.” Do you offer any more advanced courses on this topic? \nThis current course is the result of requests for an introductory AstroDharma course\, when we offered an advanced level in 2014. Currently this is the only level we are offering. If you’re interested in intermediate and advanced courses\, please let us know. We listen to your feedback! \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nEnroll 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 EmailThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.First Name*Last Name*Email*\n \n \n Next Step \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/intro-astro-dharma/ LOCATION:British Columbia 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:20190101 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190111 DTSTAMP:20260903T055001Z CREATED:20180918T071809Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T055001Z UID:10000565-1546300800-1547164799@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Year of Pureland Program for Spiritual Awakening DESCRIPTION:Year of Pureland: Program for Spiritual Awakening\n 2019 Program for Spiritual Awakening \n “Why awaken?” may be the most important question a spiritual practitioner ever asks themself.  \nJoin a group of dedicated practitioners in this year-long program that empowers and supports awakening in the modern age. \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 Year of Pureland: Program for Spiritual Awakening\n  \nHow do you deepen your spiritual practice amidst day-to-day demands? Enrich your journey to the Pureland in a program that will support and empower your practice\, wherever you are on the path. \nJoin our global community for a year of online courses\, meditation retreats (at home or in person)\, and mentorship opportunities. \nThe benefits for participants in our past year-long programs (the Year of Awakening\, Year of Victory and Year of Joy have been very clear. For those who engaged in a committed way\, this program has been a game-changer for their practice and dedication to the path. The growth we’ve seen in participants has been remarkable.\n \n \n \n \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. \nRead their FULL BIOS.\n \n \n \n \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 Program Includes Online Courses…\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Pearl Without Price: Why Awaken?Starts January 21\, 2019\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. Discover how spiritual awakening in this lifetime is an accessible\, compelling and very sane aspiration.\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riding the Dragon: Spiritual Awakening in Modern LifeStarts June 3\, 2019\nHow do we integrate our spiritual practice with the demands of modern life? Explore strategies for up-cycling everyday challenges as fuel for the awakening fire.\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Crazy Wisdom: Taking a Walk on the Wild SideStarts Sept 9\, 2019\nIt 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 Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n …Meditation Retreats…\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n WEEKEND FLASH RETREATSFeb. 15\, June 28 & Oct. 5\nIntegrative home retreats at the end of each online course series. Resiliently align spiritual awakening with your daily life and routine.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n INSIGHT RETREATMarch 15-24\, 2019\nBy popular demand\, we are offering this ten-day insight meditation retreat at the beautiful and innovative Clear Sky Retreat Center. Set yourself free in the stream of your spiritual journey with much more ease and relaxation.\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BUDDHAS IN ACTIONAugust 9-23\, 2019\nOur signature fourteen-day retreat at Clear Sky Center that transforms your work\, home and city life into a spiritual practice. Discover how active meditation can heal\, align and invigorate your body\, speech and mind.\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n And Mentorship:\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Master Classes*for some levels\nDeepen your online course experience in weekly Q&A sessions with Doug and Catherine Sensei. Empower your practice by learning from each other’s questions and insights.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Office HoursThroughout the year\nVirtual group Q&A sessions with Doug and Catherine Sensei. No matter how distracting modern life and samsara may be\, this regular connection with awakening minds helps ensure that your spiritual awakening prevails.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Online ForumShare and learn\nConnect with our global virtual community. Experience group support to leave the Wasteland behind and enjoy the Pureland as you keep your spiritual practice front and center throughout the 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 \n What do Program Graduates Have to 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’m so thankful I gave myself this gift of this transformational year long program. The program was captivating and very supportive. It was like a sling shot to the greater clarity\, freedom and understanding I’ve been seeking in life. I’d recommend this program to anyone who is wondering which direction to take in order to live a life with more passion and meaning.\n Karen Scott\n RMT\, Fernie Massage\, BC \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n It was a fantastic tool 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 felt very connected and supported by the Teachers and Sangha. As a result I became much more aware of my state of mind. I recommend this program to people that are truly interested in studying interconnectedness and the miracle of life.\n Andrea Netscher\n Physiotherapist\, Bewegungslust\, Germany \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Participating fully in the Year of Victory Program gave me an opportunity to stay close to the Teachers and practice throughout the year. As a result I benefited by being “tuned” to the Teachers and to my personal victory. I feel like the confidence I gained in victory over my own preference mind was a direct result of this commitment to the full year program. The harder it seems to find time and make a year long commitment\, the greater the results seem to be when one does. The program is flexible enough if you plan well\, yet structured enough to make sure you don’t get lost during the year.\n Linda Hochstetler\n Clinical Social Worker / Therapist\, Private Practice\, Ontario \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n There are THREE PROGRAM LEVELS\nChoose which commitment level you’d like to take: \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Diamond\n Commitment\n \n \n $350 admin + dana\n \n \n Two weeks of meditation retreat time.Retreat interview with Doug & Catherine Sensei.Three online courses.Three Flash Retreats at home\, with virtual support.Live streamed Master Classes during Online Courses.Cohort check-ins with Ruby Level Participants.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ruby\n Commitment\n \n \n $250 admin + dana\n \n \n One week of meditation retreat time.Optional retreat interview.Three online courses.Three Flash Retreats at home\, with virtual support.Public Office Hours approx. every two weeks.Cohort check-ins with Diamond Level Participants.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sapphire\n Commitment\n \n \n $200 admin + dana\n \n \n Optional meditation retreat time.Optional retreat interview.Three online coursesThree Flash Retreats at home\, with virtual support.Public Office Hours approx. every two weeks.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Here’s the fine print:\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Diamond\n \n \n \n \n \n Meditation Retreats\n\nA minimum of one two-week retreat or two one-week retreats\, led by Doug and Catherine Sensei in 2019. We encourage you to come to Clear Sky Center. This allows you to take advantage of the blessed Buddha field that many beings’ practices have been cultivating in this extraordinary place. The centre embodies very modern manifestations of spiritual awakening. If this isn’t possible\, you may do a retreat elsewhere in the world\, led by Doug and Catherine Sensei (see the 2019 teaching schedule).\nA retreat interview with the teachers. This lineage emphasizes working directly with teachers. This is so they can provide instructions that are completely customized to your particular needs and path of spiritual unfoldment. They’ll share the practices you can do to awaken most speedily and effectively. Take greatest advantage of this with interviews\, at least one during your retreat(s).\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ruby\n \n \n \n \n \n Meditation Retreats:\n\nOne-week retreat with Doug and Catherine Sensei. We encourage you to come to Clear Sky Center. This allows you to take advantage of the blessed Buddha field that many beings’ practices have been cultivating in this extraordinary place. The centre embodies very modern manifestations of spiritual awakening. If this isn’t possible\, you may do a retreat elsewhere in the world\, led by Doug and Catherine Sensei (see the 2019 teaching schedule).\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sapphire\n \n \n \n \n \n Meditation Retreats:\n\nOptional\n\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 Courses\, Flash Retreats and Virtual Support \n\nBenefit from participating in the three online courses (four online classes in each course) throughout the year. Stay connected with the awakening mind and grow your spiritual awakening and learning all year long. This offers you new opportunities to integrate spiritual awakening with your daily life and routine. Check the schedule to add the dates to your calendar.\nEngage with the weekly Year of Pureland Master Class during each online course\, at 3pm MT each Saturday (four consecutive Saturdays). Master Classes only take place during the three online courses. Live attendance at these online check-ins is mandatory for diamond-level participants. Check the schedule to add the dates to your calendar.\nParticipate in the three Flash Retreats that seal each webinar series. Each occurs over the weekend after the final class of each webinar series\, and is supported with the final Master Class. These Flash Retreats help us apply and integrate the online teachings\, establishing us more firmly in the Pureland state\, empowering us to hold this space more resiliently as we go about our daily lives\, thereby benefiting all beings. Since it’s easier with others and sangha is one of the Triple Gems\, we recommend doing this together with your local community of practitioners. If this is not possible you may do them in the convenience of your own home: this is meant to support your practice of honoring your space and your cultivation of a stronger discipline. Check the schedule to add the dates to your calendar.\n\n\nBetween the online courses\, diamond-level participants  are expected to demonstrate a commitment to regular\, engaged attendance at Office Hours throughout the year. Again\, this supports you in making progress in leaving the Wasteland behind and spending more and more time in the Pureland\, with your spiritual practice front and center throughout the year. No matter how distracting modern life and samsara may be\, this regular connection with awakening minds helps ensure that your spiritual awakening prevails.\nBetween online courses\, diamond-level participants will also attend periodic cohort check-ins along with ruby-level participants. These are another opportunity to keep the learning and growth going throughout the year.\n\n\nWhen possible\, we encourage you to engage with your local sangha or community of practitioners around these online courses and office hours\, whether through weekly teachings or discussion groups. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Online Courses\, Flash Retreats and Virtual Support: \n\nBenefit from participating in the three online courses (four online classes in each course) throughout the year. Stay connected with the awakening mind and grow your spiritual awakening and learning all year long. This offers you new opportunities to integrate spiritual awakening with your daily life and routine. Check the schedule to add the dates to your calendar.\nParticipate in the three Flash Retreats that seal each webinar series. Each occurs over the weekend after the final class of each webinar series. These Flash Retreats help us apply and integrate the online teachings\, establishing us more firmly in the Pureland state\, empowering us to hold this space more resiliently as we go about our daily lives\, thereby benefiting all beings. Since it’s easier with others and sangha is one of the Triple Gems\, we recommend doing this together with your local community of practitioners. If this is not possible you may do them in the convenience of your own home: this is meant to support your practice of honoring your space and your cultivation of a stronger discipline. Check the schedule to add the dates to your calendar.\nAs a ruby-level practitioner\, between the online courses you’ll maintain a strong connection with the Pureland consciousness via our regular Office Hours throughout the year\, generally twice monthly. Again\, this supports you in making progress in leaving the Wasteland behind and spending more and more time in the Pureland\, with your spiritual practice front and center throughout the year. No matter how distracting modern life and samsara may be\, this regular connection with awakening minds helps ensure that your spiritual awakening prevails.\nBetween online courses\, ruby-level participants will also attend periodic cohort check-ins along with diamond-level participants. These are another opportunity to keep the learning and growth going throughout the year.\nWhen possible\, we encourage you to engage with your local sangha or community of practitioners around these online courses and office hours\, whether through weekly teachings or discussion groups. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Online Courses\, Flash Retreats and Virtual Support:\n\nBenefit from participating in the three online courses (four online classes in each course) throughout the year. Stay connected with the awakening mind and grow your spiritual awakening and learning all year long. This offers you new opportunities to integrate spiritual awakening with your daily life and routine. Check the schedule to add the dates to your calendar.\nParticipate in the three Flash Retreats that seal each webinar series. Each occurs over the weekend after the final class of each webinar series. Sapphire level participants will be able to access online check-ins during the retreats to support their practice. These Flash Retreats help us apply and integrate the online teachings\, establishing us more firmly in the Pureland state\, empowering us to hold this space more resiliently as we go about our daily lives\, thereby benefiting all beings. Since it’s easier with others and sangha is one of the Triple Gems\, we recommend doing this together with your local community of practitioners. If this is not possible you may do them in the convenience of your own home: this is meant to support your practice of honoring your space and your cultivation of a stronger discipline. Check the schedule to add the dates to your calendar.\nAs a sapphire-level practitioner\, between the online courses you’re invited to maintain your connection with the Pureland consciousness via our regular Office Hours throughout the year\, generally twice monthly. Again\, this supports you in making progress in leaving the Wasteland behind and spending more and more time in the Pureland\, with your spiritual practice front and center throughout the year. No matter how distracting modern life and samsara may be\, this regular connection with awakening minds helps ensure that your spiritual awakening prevails.\nWhen possible\, we encourage you to engage with your local sangha or community of practitioners around these online courses and office hours\, whether through weekly teachings or discussion groups.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Program Details\nWho Can Apply?\nIf you have participated in previous Planet Dharma courses\, retreats or classes\, or have worked with Doug and Catherine in other ways\, you are invited to apply for this program. \nThe deadline to apply is Christmas Day\, December 25\, 2018\, but we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. We will let you know whether the program is a good fit and whether you are accepted into the program by January 10th\, 2019.  The first online course in the program starts on January 21\, 2019. \nDāna\, Generosity\nDoug & Catherine Sensei are offering this year long program based on the ancient practice of Dāna\, generosity. Recognize that in your commitment to the program\, you are also making a commitment to a healthy and conscious practice of dāna. Before applying\, we encourage you to review if you are in a financially sustainable situation. Are you able to support your exploration and dāna throughout the year? We believe that financial health is unique for each person and each situation. It is also very important for a healthy spiritual practice and life. \nTo support you in a healthy and sustainable dāna practice for the Year program\, we have created a Dana Sustainability Calculator.  We recommend you do the Dana Calculator and Heart-based practice exercises ahead of your application. \nWe also invite you to explore more about how you can practice Dāna. This is one of the pillars of Buddhist spiritual philosophy and the process of enlightenment. \nProgram Registration Fee\nThere is a one-time program fee* for each level\, to cover operating costs during the year: \n\nDiamond Level – 350 USD\nRuby Level – 250 USD\nSapphire Level – 200 USD\n\n*We believe that finances are one of many creative manifestations of energy exchange. If your aspiration to take this program is strong but the course fee and other financial commitments feel like a challenge\, please note this in your application and make an offer of alternative forms of exchange.\n \n Apply Here URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/year-of-pureland-program-2019/ LOCATION:British Columbia CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Public Classes,Retreats ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/year-of-Pureland-Wide.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20181001 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20181023 DTSTAMP:20181005T060353Z CREATED:20171016T025210Z LAST-MODIFIED:20181005T060353Z UID:10000547-1538352000-1540252799@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:The Joy of Sex and Relationship: Online Course DESCRIPTION:The Joy of Sex & Relationships\n A Four Week Online Course | Starts October 1\, 2018\n How healthy is our society’s views\, norms and paradigms regarding human sexuality? Can wisdom traditions exist with sexuality and relationship as a core component? How about without them?\n\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 \n \n \n \n \n \n \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 Joy of Sex & Relationship: Online Course\nSince this is the Year of Joy\, and we’re here to bring joy and humor to this rather fraught topic\, so worthy of our considered attention and energy. Everything in our life comes back to our view. Can wisdom traditions exist with sexuality and relationship as a core component? How about without them? \nThe history of human civilization is a history of diverse cultural paradigms\, including varied expressions of love\, sensuality\, interest\, sexuality\, and romance. Our motivations are growth (personal and spiritual unfoldment)\, through learning (insight) and joy (bliss). \nHow healthy is our society’s views\, norms and paradigms regarding human sexuality? How did we get here? That is\, how did our views regarding sex and relationship get shaped? \nPartly from our family and tribe\, to be sure\, and how were their views shaped? More importantly\, are we choosing our own views on sex and relationship? Or using second- or third-hand ones that we believe to be our own?  Are we making informed choices about how to relate to one another\, sexually and otherwise? \nPrehistorical humans––the hunters and foragers––were polyamorous. Such behavior helped weave the fabric that held the community together. Without fixed paternity\, men\, women and children were all communally cared for. Without ownership\, assets were shared. \nThen came agriculture. And fences. And possessions. Women became property. And our relationship became bound by social and cultural structures that reinforced our separateness from one another. \nHumans’ struggles around sex\, love\, and relationship have been going on ever since. \nIt’s important that we know where we’ve come from in order to know where we’re going. And where we’d like to go. We’ll take advantage of these online classes to explore this very relevant and dynamic subject. \n \n \n \n \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 1\, 2018\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mon\, Oct 1\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Feeling Good\, Feeling Bad: brain waves and chemistry\n7:30pm MST \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We all like to feel good\, so we’ll review how sexuality\, relationships\, brain waves and body chemistry affect one another. From this perspective\, it all sounds so simple. How then do contemporary challenges like widespread pornography\, infidelity\, and divorce fit into the picture? Ironically\, the standard boy-meets-girl model predicts this. We’ll come to greater understanding of these issues\, and look at how we can enjoy desire without feeling conflicted about it. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mon\, Oct 8\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Our Ancestors and Sex: Love and sex in the woods and in the fields\, Part 1\n7:30pm MST\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We take a look at human relationships and sexual behavior among hunters and forager cultures\, and in later communities after agriculture was adopted. \nWhat came before hunters and gatherers? Apes. In fact\, humans are one of the five Great Apes. \nHow are human and ape relationships and sexuality similar and different?  And why does it matter? \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mon\, Oct 15\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Our Ancestors and Sex: Love and sex in the woods and in the fields\, Part 2\n7:30pm MST\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many if not most of our contemporary paradigms regarding sex and relationship can be traced to agriculture\, and its concomitant notions of ownership. Women became another piece of property\, along with the cow and the house. We also got trains\, planes and computers out of this paradigm. How has it affected our sex and relationships? Our sex drives and conditioning around them? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mon\, oct 22\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Synthesis: creating our awakening future\n7:30pm MST \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Knowing what we know\, more informed about human history\, how do we move forward with sex and relationships? Can we enjoy the cohesive relationships of our forager ancestors\, together with the modern conveniences provided by agriculture-based societies\, and shape it all in better ways? This is vital if we want to use desire as part of our spiritual path\, and lead integrated lives\, relationships and communities. \nAs with all humans since beginningless time\, our motivations are growth\, learning\, and joy. \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n oct 27-28\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat\nWeekend\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 with reflective time\, 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\nOnline classes will take place live on Monday evenings 7:30-9pm MST. Recordings will also be available if you can’t attend live. \nYear of Joy participants also have access to a Masterclass with the teachers on Saturdays Oct 6\, 13\, 20\, and 27 at 3-4pm MT\, and a weekend Flash Retreat at home. \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 URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/online-course-joy-sex-relationship/ LOCATION:British Columbia CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Joy-sex-relationship-online.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180915 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20181021 DTSTAMP:20180919T010317Z CREATED:20180902T210631Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180919T010317Z UID:10000563-1536969600-1540079999@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Ignite Your Spiritual Life: Online course DESCRIPTION:Ignite Your Spiritual Life Online Course: Sept 15-Oct 20\, 2018\nThis course explores how to create a supportive structure in your daily life for spiritual growth.  Retreat centres – such as Planet Dharma’s home base at Clear Sky Retreat Centre – provide nurturing and uplifting spaces for meditation and learning.  The good news is that the same simple principles can be applied to our daily lives at home and at work.  This gives us a strong foundation for year-round meditation and growth. \nThis course is for you if: \n\nyou struggle in the busyness of life to have a consistent meditation practice.\nyou attend courses and retreats\, and have great insights\, but somehow end up stuck back in the same old habitual patterns in your daily life.\nyou want to build a strong foundation for year-round Dharma growth and exploration.\n\nThis course is offered by senior Planet Dharma students through their work at Clear Sky Retreat Centre as a complement and support to your Planet Dharma studies. \nOnline classes will take place live on Saturday mornings 10:00-11.30am MST. Recordings will also be available if you can’t attend live. \nThe critical lost art of the spiritual container and how it can re-ignite your spiritual life\nIf you’re like many people\, you may know what will help keep you calm and centered – like regular meditation practice\, and ongoing Dharma studies and retreats – yet you have a hard time applying it in your daily life. \nEspecially in these turbulent times\, when it seems nobody is immune from growing levels of fear\, depression\, and anxiety in the world\, we can feel overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. \nEven with regular retreats\, courses and meditation time\, you may still feel pulled off-center through the day. This is because your energy drains away\, little by little or even in sudden spills\, like nectar would from a leaky cup with no lid. \nYet\, it’s possible even on the busiest days to stay centered\, alive\, and engaged. You can learn to set up your life to support and protect your energy\, and re-ignite your spiritual life. \n\nHow can you do this? You can forge your life into a cup that supports your precious energy\, by learning about the art of the spiritual container. By repairing these holes in your metaphorical leaky cup\, you can redesign your everyday life to be more like you’re in the protective space of retreat. \nThis practical course looks at how we can thrive and grow in a busy world – it’s not about learning how to withdraw\, or fit in hours of formal meditation. \n\nThe magic of a retreat – a cup that holds the nectar\nSo what are we talking about when we mention the supportive container of a retreat? If you haven’t been in retreat before\, take a moment and open your heart to the beauty of the experience. \n \nImagine moving in a space where you’re calm and bright enough to notice the simple beauty of life around you. A space where\, whatever happens\, you’ve got energy and a sense of equanimity to keep things in perspective. \nSimple chores feel joyful and alive\, instead of mundane. You move from task to task with ease\, seeing things just as they are and responding to what’s needed rather than reacting to what’s happening. \nPicture yourself being more compassionate\, friendly\, and open to other people. You enjoy the space even when confusion or negative thoughts creep in for yourself or others\, and let them pass by without giving them energy to grow. \n\nDo you recognize anything there? Those moments when the ego seems to quieten and all is right with the world? We can get contact with this on a morning walk in nature with a beloved pet\, a stroll on the beach\, or a slow Sunday at home. \nThese moments don’t have to be fleeting moments you long for\, yet can’t get right now. Many moments in your daily life can be closer to this than you may think – whether you’re at work\, at home\, at school\, or commuting\, there are things you can do to bring the beauty of retreat into your day. \nYou won’t be able to do that\, however\, unless you acknowledge what’s been missing. \nWhat’s missing? Attention to the outer supports you need for a strong container\nSo\, what isn’t working in our daily lives? Why do people trying their best to find calm\, presence\, and joy still sometimes feel disheartened\, stuck\, or lost? \nWell\, in fact it’s not surprising. Especially in difficult times\, the daily demands of living will stay very much in charge – unless we tweak our lives to better support us. Unless we learn to carry our cup carefully and take care of it\, our precious nectar is bound to spill out or get diluted by what’s around us. \nIf the inner work you’re doing isn’t sustaining you\, then\, you’re probably missing the importance of the outer supports you need – especially if you’re one of those people who tends to take care of others\, more than you take care of yourself. \nYet once you set up these outer supports\, your life will be a better container for generating and sustaining a sense of calm\, focus\, and joy. \nOuter support: The Five Principles of a good spiritual container\nFrom years of running a retreat centre\, and applying what we learn to our own lives\, we’ve rediscovered five ancient principles that help create the right outer conditions we’re talking about: \n \n1. Honor your space \n2. Structure and routine are your friends \n3. It’s easier with others \n4. Cleaning up big areas of your life frees up energy \n5. Conversations shape the space where we meet \n\n  \nThese are the factors that have made Clear Sky work\, a place that wakes people up and supports their practice. And these same principles can transform and support our daily lives\, too. \nThat’s why we created this course. We’ll share with you the insights and learning we’ve had from creating Clear Sky – a physical and virtual centre for awakening – in the form of these five simple yet empowering principles\, that have been time-tested over centuries. \n\nAs well as the core content on each of the principles\, each webinar will include meditations and exercises to try in your daily life\, and will end with question-and-answer sessions. \nWhy take the course? Ignite Your Spiritual Life will help you:\n** establish a more consistent meditation practice \n** redesign your life to be more in line with your spiritual aspirations \n** get relief from being reactive and stressed by daily events \n** move through blocks and old patterns that seemed like they’d never shift \n** connect with your heart and other people at a deeper level a difference in the world from a more grounded and confident place \n** clarify where you want to direct your energy \nTestimonials\nMy environment has changed\, the way I organize my activities\, my communication and trust in others … Applying those principles can hold love and clarity for even big groups\, creating a genuine awakening field.”  — Emmanuel Ponte\, Brazil \nI think this course is a beautiful\, utterly grounded and relevant way of making the spiritual life very real and integrated with how we are living every day of our lives. I also think that this course lays an important foundation for a meditation practice that can actually go somewhere as well as allowing a practice that may already be strong to better feed the other parts of our lives for a really well-rounded and truly fulfilling life.  All the principles have reinforced for me that it is necessary to water the outside garden very carefully\, with attention and presence\, so that the flowers of compassion and love can flourish inside and in my relations. Thank you\, dear Karen\, Duncan\, and Sangha. — Ruth Levin\, Calgary \nWhen I was making my list of aspirations and plans for 2017\, I realized that I was structuring it from the five principles learned in the course “Outer Clarity.” The learnings served as a good medicine for doubts about how to lead transformations I want in my life. — Luana Messena\, Brazil \nIt’s really\, really brought me back home to myself… I found myself in the past very scattered and would put off all the important things\, the spiritual aspects of life\, the mindfulness and so on\, just to blast through my day and get things done\, but now I am really taking pause. I still don’t get everything done\, but I don’t get everything done in a much more calm way\, haha\, in a much more soulful way… So for me that was probably the most important takeaway from the six week program is just you can’t let those things slide no matter what because when you do\, you’re giving up little bits of your soul and then you’ve really lost. ..That for me was wonderful to come back to. — Morghana\, Victoria. \nTeachers\nThis course is offered by students of Planet Dharma and long-time members of Clear Sky retreat center. \nKaren McAllister \nAfter meeting Clear Sky’s founding teachers Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawsat in Japan\, I managed the meditation centre there for many years while serving simultaneously as part of the Clear Sky Board. In 2003\, I helped search for a site for Clear Sky\, looking at around 30 properties until we found our current location in the magical Kootenays. \nI’m now Chair of the Board and Director of Business Development. I’m passionate to be teaching the much-ignored principles of nurturing the factors – like honor your space\, structure\, and communication – that create the conditions we need to wake up more in daily life. I see how I learned and embodied these principles in my different roles at Clear Sky\, as the centre went from self-starter to second-stage growth. This is what I call “the hands-on way of doing an MBA with a spiritual bottom line!” \nIn my free time\, I love travelling\, speaking Portuguese and reading history\, architecture\, and art books. \nDuncan Cryle \nI’m the former Clear Sky Chair\, a certified Mindfulness teacher\, Dharma teacher\, and an IBM Executive in Toronto. \nThrough 15 years of teaching meditation and mindfulness\, alongside an active career working all over the world\, I’ve learnt a lot about an integrated spiritual path.  With a Ph.D. in philosophy in my pocket\, I was gung ho to join a monastery until I met my root teachers Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat in Japan in 2001\, who turned my views upside down and encouraged me to grow and contribute at the busy end of life! \nA founding member of Clear Sky in 2004\, I’m amazed at the power that working together in compassionate service has for enriching and widening spiritual growth.  Combined with a dynamic relationship and a challenging career\, I have fun with a wide-ranging and holistic approach to spiritual growth.  The spiritual container is a key aspect to this and I’m delighted to teach and share this course. \nCosts\nWe offer this course on the basis of dāna.  If you’re not familiar with dāna\, you may have come across related approaches such as “pay from the heart.” Dāna is a Sanskrit term that translates as generosity in English. It’s radically different from the transactional way we normally interact in the world – where we give to get something back\, either a service or thing. Instead\, 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. \nAs for our part in this pay from the heart model: since we have expenses hosting the classes and we are investing significant amounts of volunteer (service) time and our combined experience in creating\, teaching\, and administrating the course\, we are setting the minimum amount at $120 CAD. All proceeds will go to support Clear Sky center’s work. \n \n\nTo find out more or register\nFor more details on the course contents\, teachers\, logistics and testimonials\, visit Clear Sky Center’s web page here \nOr to directly register for the six week course learning how to set up a supportive structure for your meditation and year round growth simply click here. \n  URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/ignite-your-spiritual-life-online-course/ LOCATION:British Columbia CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Ignite-Your-Spirital-Life-fall-2018.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180604 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180626 DTSTAMP:20180830T164104Z CREATED:20170914T034844Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180830T164104Z UID:10000543-1528070400-1529971199@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Path of Ecstasy - Following your Bliss: Online Course DESCRIPTION:The Path of Ecstasy: Following your Bliss\nOnline Course: June 4 – 25\, 2018\nWould you like to experience more bliss\, more joy in your life? It’s easy to say “Follow your bliss\,” but how do we actually do that? Especially when it doesn’t feel so blissy?\n \nThis online course is designed to help you learn how. Or if you already know how\, to get more skilled at it. Imagine your life with robust\, resilient bliss. \nJoin Doug and Catherine Sensei for the second online course they are offering in 2018\, the Year of Joy. The third course on Sex and Relationships takes place in October 2018. \nStudying Bliss and Joy with Wisdom Traditions and Science\nHow do you follow your bliss? Fortunately there are many resources available to us in these exciting times. Western science is beginning to understand and articulate what meditators have known and experienced for millennia. Since this is the Year of Joy\, we’d like more (all!) of us to cultivate more joy. To this end\, this online course looks at the interface of consciousness and bliss in various frameworks. \nCatherine Sensei having her brain waves measured in various states at the Institute of Noetic Science’s lab in Petaluma\, CA. \nEvery wisdom tradition documents different experiences of transcendental\, unitive bliss. In order to experience bliss\, first we must establish abiding calm. As meditators we know this from our own experience\, and from the teachings themselves. \nIn these classes we’ll look at what we know about these experiences from wisdom traditions. We’ll also discuss what contemporary science is adding to our understanding. The better we understand bliss and joy\, the more likely we are to be able to experience them. \nAccording to wisdom traditions as well as science\, personal change involves consciousness. This online course is designed to help our first-hand embodied experience and intellectual understanding come together and support one another. \nThe desired outcome? More joy\, and higher bliss. Though it’s not possible to awaken from a state of bliss\, bliss can springboard us into deeper insights. From this space we can experience the moment of enlightenment. And from greater states of awakening\, we can be brighter\, further-reaching beacons of light for all beings in these challenging times.   \nThis course is open to all experience levels. \n  \n“The mind’s integration made visible is loving kindness & compassion.” \n~  Author/neurobiologist Dan Siegel\, ALIA 2014. \nCourse Details:\nOnline classes will take place live on Monday evenings (June 4th\, 11th\, 18th & 25th) from 7:30 to 9pm (MDT). Recordings will also be available for one week if you can’t attend live. \n(Year of Joy participants also have access to a Master Class with the teachers on Saturdays June 9\, 16\, 23\, and 30 at 3-4pm MT\, and a weekend Flash Retreat at home.)   \nWeek 1\, Mon. June 4: The Body – Our Six Senses.\nMeditations on the senses\, our first link to the world both inside and outside\, constitute some of the oldest meditations known to humankind. How can we use the senses as a path to liberative bliss? \nWeek 2\, Mon. June 11: Feelings – The Jhanas (Meditative Absorptions)\nIf we can’t awaken from a state of bliss–only from insight–then how can we use it for spiritual breakthroughs? The roadmap of the states of highest blisses\, known as the jhanas\, can help us get serious about bliss. \nWeek 3\, Mon. June 18: The Mind – A Look at Modern Neuroscience \nWhat’s happening to your brain when different states arise\, in meditation and in daily life? What do mirror neurons have to do with a sense of self and other? How is all this affected by the chemistry in the brain? \nWeek 4\, Mon. June 25: Life in the world: Making it Blissful \nWhat do the jhanas (blissful\, absorptive meditative states)\, brainwaves and hormones have in common? How do they affect us and our states differently? How do insights about bliss lead to wisdom\, the highest bliss? \n  \n\nAbout the Teachers:\n \nWe encourage everyone to find the “teacher within” that we can be. But\, for almost everyone\, we need to apprentice before we can master. Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat apprenticed in the teachings of awakening for decades with their teachers. Between them they have been teaching for more than 30 years. \nTheir explorations and teachings are guided by four principles: spiritual growth\, social connectivity\, economic sustainability and environmental integrity. \nDoug & Catherine teach from various wisdom traditions – including buddhadharma\, Western Mysteries\, modern science\, art and nature – based on broad interests and a non-judgemental approach. We’ve lived and worked overseas for many years\, and a planetary outlook is important to us. So is humour! Read more: Full Bios. \n[tmls category=”20″ layout=”tmls_slider” style=”style2″ image_size=”large_image” image_radius=”large_radius” text_font_family=”” text_font_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” name_font_family=”” name_font_color=”#000000″ neme_font_size=”14px” neme_font_weight=”normal” position_font_family=”” position_font_color=”#777777″ position_font_size=”12px” order_by=”rand” order=”DESC” auto_play=”true” transitioneffect=”crossfade” pause_on_hover=”false” next_prev_visibility=”tmls_visible” next_prev_radius=”large_radius” next_prev_position=”” next_prev_bgcolor=”#F5F5F5″ next_prev_arrowscolor=”tmls_lightgrayarrows” scroll_duration=”500″ pause_duration=”9000″ ratingstars=”enabled” ratingstarssize=”16px” ratingstarscolor=”#F47E00″ ] \n\n  \n\nReady to Follow Your Bliss? Register Now:\n\n\nDāna (Generosity Based Teaching)\n\nDoug & Catherine are teaching this online course via the ancient tradition of Dāna (generosity)\, an offering from them to the attendees. It is considered of supreme value to your life and thus “beyond price” so it is expected that the student will be equally generous and support the teaching and the teachers by making an offering. \nWhile no offering is too small\, also no offering is too great. The giver benefits by offering as much as they can\, given the individual’s circumstances. Along with compassion\, generosity is considered the root of spiritual progress and\, according to the ancients\, therefore the root of our success in daily life as well. \nFind out more about how you can practice Dāna. We invite you to offer Dāna when you register. \n\nRegistration Form\n\n\nPlease register using the form below. Please note that our registration platform (Eventbrite) uses the term “donation” rather than dāna. Dāna is different from donation. If this is new to you\, please read the above section on dāna to learn more about the difference. \n\n \nPowered by Eventbrite\n\nFor previous participants of Planet Dharma online courses: please note we’ve simplified the registration process.  Now simply register ONCE for all four classes.  The courses are now purely dāna based without a course fee.  Note that your dāna offering now is to cover ALL four classes. \n\nSign up here to be notified about any retreat updates and Planet Dharma news. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/online-course-follow-your-bliss/ LOCATION:British Columbia CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/follow-bliss-path-ecstasy-online-course.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180129 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180220 DTSTAMP:20180830T163301Z CREATED:20170914T031816Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180830T163301Z UID:10000541-1517184000-1519084799@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Dharma in Film: Webinar Series One DESCRIPTION:Dharma in Film Webinar Series: Jan 29 to Feb 19\, 2018\nKick off 2018\, the Year of Joy\, with Dharma in Film. This is first series of webinars offered by Doug Duncan & Catherine Pawasarat Sensei in 2018. Webinars will take place live on Monday evenings 7:30-9pm MST. Recordings will also be available if you can’t attend live. \n \nThe 4 films that will be discussed are: \nWebinar #1 on January 29th: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) of the genre\, “Out of the Bottle” (as in a genie bottle) \nWebinar #2 on February 5th: Legally Blonde (2001) of the genre\, “Fool Triumphant” \nWebinar #3 on February 12th: Alien (1979) of the genre\, “Monster” \nWebinar #4 on February 19th: The Matrix (1999) of the genre\, “Super Hero” \nYear of Joy participants also have access to a Master class with the teachers on Saturdays Feb. 3\, 10\, 17\, 24 at 3-4pm MT\, and a weekend Flash Retreat at home. \nWhy study Dharma in Film?\nWhether a comedy\, drama or thriller\, the medium of film brings us great joy. Astrologically speaking\, film is ruled by the same planet as meditation and the transcendental unitive experience: Neptune (which also rules things like delusion\, fantasy and substance abuse). \nHow can we use our pleasure from film to explore the experience of spiritual awakening? Join us in these webinars to learn how. We’ll examine these films together from a dharma perspective. \n \nSign up here to be notified about any retreat updates and Planet Dharma news. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/dharma-in-film-webinars1/ LOCATION:British Columbia CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/DharmainFilm.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180101 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180102 DTSTAMP:20260904T061322Z CREATED:20171028T015315Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260904T061322Z UID:10000548-1514764800-1514851199@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Year of Joy - 2018 Program for Spiritual Awakening DESCRIPTION:Year of Joy: 2018 Program for Spiritual Awakening\nHow would you like to spend the year cultivating joy? Alas\, one can’t awaken from a state of bliss. But it provides the juice to continue deepening our practice of insight. And it feels fantastic. \nMost of all\, joy is a natural and essential component of the awakening mind. \nBesides cultivating joy\, the aim of this year-long program is to support beings to awaken joyfully in this very lifetime. On y va! Vamos! 行きましょう！ Embora gente! \nTo us\, the teachers\, the benefits for participants in the past two year-long programs (the Year of Awakening and Year of Victory) have been very clear. They have been a game-changer in the practice and dedication to the path for people who’ve engaged in a committed way. The growth we’ve seen in participants has been remarkable. \nAbout the Program Teachers:\n\nCombined\, Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat have been teaching\, practicing and living spiritual awakening for more than 60 years. They’re well versed in Buddhist and Western philosophy and practices\, as well as contemporary psychology\, consciousness studies and art. \nSince Doug and Catherine have lived and traveled extensively overseas\, they also draw on inter- and transcultural experiences. This helps broaden the range and depth of their understandings of spiritual awakening and liberation to an experience that knows no country. \nTo implement these teachings and experiences in the world\, they founded the beautiful and innovative Clear Sky Meditation Centre in BC in 2005. \nTheir engaged compassion\, sense of humor\, adventurousness and combined wisdom will enrich your life with exploration and discovery. More to the point\, this year it will support you cultivating more joy in your life. Click for their full bios: Year of Joy Teachers. \nWhat others say about the Teachers:\n[tmls category=”20″ layout=”tmls_slider” style=”style2″ image_size=”large_image” image_radius=”large_radius” text_font_family=”” text_font_color=”#777777″ text_font_size=”14px” name_font_family=”” name_font_color=”#777777″ neme_font_size=”15px” neme_font_weight=”bold” position_font_family=”” position_font_color=”#777777″ position_font_size=”12px” order_by=”rand” order=”DESC” auto_play=”true” transitioneffect=”crossfade” pause_on_hover=”false” next_prev_visibility=”tmls_visible” next_prev_radius=”large_radius” next_prev_position=”” next_prev_bgcolor=”#F5F5F5″ next_prev_arrowscolor=”tmls_lightgrayarrows” scroll_duration=”500″ pause_duration=”9000″ ratingstars=”enabled” ratingstarssize=”16px” ratingstarscolor=”#F47E00″ ] \n  \nWebinars & Retreats Offered\n\nCommitment to the Year of Joy entails participating in all three webinars below\, plus retreat time\, varying according to the level of your commitment. You’ll benefit from one of these retreats taking place at Clear Sky Meditation Centre. Please see the program description below for details. \nCultivating Joy through Year of Joy Webinars:\n\nDharma in Film (January 29-February 19\, 2018)\nThe Path of Ecstasy: Following Your Bliss (June 4-25\, 2018)\nThe Joy of Sex and Relationship (October 1-22\, 2018)\n\nCultivating Joy through Year of Joy Retreats at Clear Sky Centre:\n\nBecoming a Work of Art Retreat (March 31-April 2\, 2018 and extend your stay to a week)\n\nBody of Truth and Star Group Retreat (May 4-18\, 2018)\n\nBuddhas in Action Retreat (July 28-August 11\, 2018)\nSix Yogas of Naropa\, Dream Yoga & Light Yoga (Dec 7-22\, 2018)\n\n\nTestimonials from Students in Last Year’s Program (Year of Victory)\nI’m so thankful I gave myself this gift of this transformational year long program. The program was captivating and very supportive. It was like a sling shot to the greater clarity\, freedom and understanding I’ve been seeking in life. I’d recommend this program to anyone who is wondering which direction to take in order to live a life with more passion and meaning. \n–Karen Scott\, BC\, Canada \nIt was a fantastic tool 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 felt very connected and supported by the Teachers and Sangha. As a result I became much more aware of my state of mind. I recommend this program to people that are truly interested in studying interconnectedness and the miracle of life. \n–Andrea Netscher\, Germany \nParticipating fully in the Year of Victory gave me an opportunity to stay close to the Teachers and practice throughout the year. As a result I benefited by being “tuned” to the Teachers and to my personal victory. I feel like the confidence I gained in victory over my own preference mind was a direct result of this commitment to the full year program. The harder it seems to find time and make a year long commitment\, the greater the results seem to be when one does. The program is flexible enough if you plan well\, yet structured enough to make sure you don’t get lost during the year. I started in the lower level commitment for the last two years\, but now this year I’m diving into the higher level commitment and can’t wait for it to start. \n–Linda Hochstetler\, ON\, Canada \n\nProgram Benefits & Commitment Levels \nThe Year of Joy program has three commitment levels for how you will approach cultivating joy – Vajra\, Diamond and Lotus levels. \n1. Cultivating Joy at the Vajra Level\nThe vajra level offers a thunderbolt to strike through the illusions of samsara\, clearing the air so that joy can emerge. \nWe appreciate that the basics of daily life can be very demanding for modern people. Add relationship\, career development\, education and so on\, and maintaining a regular spiritual practice can begin to feel very challenging. This is samsara talking! Apply the thunderbolt: we’ve designed the Vajra level to support you to cut through the illusion. \nThe Vajra level of Year of Joy will help include cultivating joy in your spiritual practice. Moreover\, the program will support you to stay connected to spiritual awakening as the foundation of the rest of your life. It will also leave time for the other exigencies of your life right now. This is designed as a bridge to a time–hopefully in the very near future–when you can make a deeper commitment to your spiritual practice. \nVajra Level Benefits and Commitments Include:\n \n\nA commitment to a regular\, engaged practice sustained over 2018. Structure and routine are your friends. When applied to your spiritual practice\, your current practices will stabilize and shift into a higher gear. Your power for cultivating joy will increase.\nOngoing engagement with a community of other committed practitioners\, with whom you connect virtually and in person. It’s easier with others. This will bring new insights into the power of sangha\, and allow you to enjoy its benefits in new ways. Enjoy and learn from cultivating joy together.\n\nMeditation Retreats\n\nA minimum of two one-week retreats during the year. We encourage you to come to Clear Sky. This allows you to take advantage of the blessed Buddha field that many beings’ practices have been cultivating in this extraordinary place. The centre embodies very modern manifestations of spiritual awakening. If this isn’t possible\, you may do a retreat elsewhere in the world\, led by Doug and Catherine Sensei (see the 2018 teaching schedule).\nA retreat interview with the teachers. This lineage emphasizes working with directly with teachers. This is so they can provide instructions that are completely customized to your particular needs and path of spiritual unfoldment. They’ll share the practices you can do to awaken most speedily and effectively. Take greatest advantage of this with interviews\, at least one during your retreat.\n\nWebinars\, Virtual Support and Home Flash Retreats\n\nParticipation in the three series of webinars (four webinars in each series) throughout the year. Stay connected with the awakening mind and grow your spiritual awakening and learning all year long. This offers you new opportunities to integrate spiritual awakening with your daily life and routine.\nWhile not required\, we encourage you to participate in the three Flash Retreats that seal each webinar series. Each occurs over the final weekend of every webinar series. These help us apply and integrate the webinar teachings\, so that we connect with the cultivation of joy in our beings\, and embody them in the world. These are done in the convenience of your own home: besides being easily accessible for you\, it also supports your practice of honoring your space and your cultivation of a stronger discipline. In short\, we’d like to support your learning about cultivating joy in the comfort of your own home.\nJoin our regular Office Hours throughout the year\, generally twice monthly. Again\, this supports you in keeping cultivating joy and your spiritual practice front and center throughout the year. No matter how distracting modern life and samsara may be\, this regular connection with awakening minds helps ensure that your spiritual awakening prevails.\n\n2. Cultivating Joy at the Diamond Level \nThe adamantine awakening mind possesses the indestructibility\, clarity and luminosity of this gem. The Diamond Level is for people who are prepared to put a stake in the ground and orient the mandala of life around spiritual awakening at the centre of it. Cultivating joy comprises an essential part of this mandala and one’s daily life. \nDiamond Level Benefits and Commitments Include:\nThe following elements\, which are the same as Vajra Level: \n \n\nA commitment to a regular\, engaged practice sustained over 2018. Structure and routine are your friends. When applied to your spiritual practice\, your current practices will stabilize and shift into a higher gear.\nOngoing engagement with a community of other committed practitioners\, with whom you connect virtually and in person. It’s easier with others. This will bring new insights into the power of sangha\, and allow you to enjoy its benefits in new ways. Enjoy and learn from cultivating joy together.\n\nAdditionally\, Diamond Level includes lengthened retreats and more specialized virtual guidance:\n \nMeditation Retreats\n\nA minimum of a two-week retreat at Clear Sky during the year. You may choose from the three retreats described above. Alternatively you may consult with Doug and Catherine to see whether doing a personal retreat at Clear Sky while they’re in residence would be highly supportive your cultivating joy practice.\nA minimum of one retreat interview with the teachers during each retreat. Take full advantage of suggestions designed to help you in cultivating joy\, speed up your spiritual awakening\, and make both these more beneficial to all beings.\n\nWebinars\, Virtual Support and Home Flash Retreats\n\nParticipation in three series of webinars (four webinars in each series) throughout the year. Stay connected with the awakening mind and grow your spiritual awakening and learning all year long. This offers you new opportunities to integrate spiritual awakening with your daily life and routine.\nParticipation in the three Flash Retreats that seal each webinar series. There is one weekend-long Flash Retreat per webinar series\, generally on the final weekend. The Flash retreats\, like their name\, are short and sweet and intense. They help us apply and integrate the webinar teachings\, so that we connect with the cultivating joy experience in our beings\, and can embody them in the world. These are intentionally done in the convenience of your own home: besides being easily accessible for you\, it also supports your practice of honoring your space and your cultivation of a stronger personal discipline.\nSpecialised Year of Joy Office Hours: These are Office Hours sessions for Diamond Level Year of Joy students only. These are live\, 60-minute internet conference calls weekly during each webinar series. They provide a small-group opportunity for learning and sharing how cultivating joy can be increased or be more integrated with your life right now.\nWhen YoV Office Hours are not offered\, regular Office Hours support you twice monthly. Keep your spiritual practice front and center throughout the year. No matter how distracting modern life and samsara may be\, this regular connection with awakening minds helps ensure that your spiritual awakening prevails.\n\n  \n3. Cultivating Joy at the Lotus Level\n \nDo you want to cultivate your knowledge and exposure to awakening wisdom in 2018? \nAt the lotus level we encourage you to audit and join in as many of the 2018 Planet Dharma events and retreats as possible. There is no application process for the lotus level. \nRegister for each event\, webinar\, retreat in 2018 on our Dharma teachings schedule page. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n\nWhat else do you need to know?\nDāna (Generosity Based Teaching)\nDoug & Catherine are teaching this year long program via the ancient tradition of Dāna (generosity). This is an offering from them to participants. It is considered of supreme value to your life and thus ‘beyond price’. So it is expected that the student will be equally generous and support the teaching and the teachers by making an offering. This year’s program offers a unique opportunity to learn about how generosity supports cultivating joy. \nWhile no offering is too small\, also no offering is too great. The giver benefits by offering as much as they can\, given the individual’s circumstances. Along with compassion\, generosity is considered the root of spiritual progress and\, according to the ancients\, therefore the root of our success in daily life as well. \nDāna and the Year of Joy\nRecognize that in your commitment to the program\, you are also making a commitment to a healthy and conscious practice of dāna. Before applying\, we encourage you to review if you are in a financially sustainable situation. Are you able to support your exploration and dāna throughout the year? We believe that financial health is unique for each person and each situation. It is also very important for a healthy spiritual practice and life. \n\n\n\nWe also invite you to explore more about how you can practice Dāna. This is one of the pillars of Buddhist spiritual philosophy and the process of enlightenment. \nYou will have an opportunity to offer Dāna when you register. You can also give by clicking the Dāna bowl image to the left. Another avenue to practice generosity is via the Dāna bowl available at Clear Sky at the opening of each retreat. This is a powerful way to set your intention for the retreat. As well\, there are ongoing opportunities throughout the year to offer Dāna. We encourage you to reflect how to use Dāna as a core practice throughout the year. How can one cultivate a heart of generosity\, openness and joy? \nProgram Registration Fees (For Course Costs)\nThere is a one-time program fee to cover operating costs during the year. Vajra Level: US$250 / Diamond Level: US$350.\nAt Planet Dharma we believe that finances are one of many creative manifestations of energy exchange. Is your aspiration and other supports for the year-long program and practice of cultivating joy strong? By contrast does the course fee and other financial commitments feel like a challenge? Then please note this in your application and make an offer of alternative forms of exchange. \nRetreat Registration & Fees\nPlease also note that this program’s residential retreats are held at Clear Sky Meditation Centre in BC\, Canada. Registration and payment for lodging & meals for these retreats are made directly to Clear Sky via each retreat’s booking forms. \n\nInvitation for Year of Joy Applications\nFrom Sunday\, 12 November we invite your applications to participate in the Year of Joy\, 2018. We suggest you apply early\, as this highly personalized program has limited places available. Applications will be accepted until December 15\, 2017.\n \n  URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/year-joy-spiritual-awakening-2018/ LOCATION:British Columbia CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Retreats ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/year-of-joy.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20170904 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20170926 DTSTAMP:20240512T225519Z CREATED:20160904T184044Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240512T225519Z UID:10000359-1504483200-1506383999@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Healing the Splits Within: Right Effort (Webinar Series 3) DESCRIPTION:What is the key to truly healing ourselves? It is combining our aspiration to do so with actual sustained effort. Join us for the third four part webinar series of 2017.  Each of the three webinar series held throughout the year  draws on an aspect of the three parts of the Eightfold Ennobling Path. This methodology of spiritual awakening is divided into three sections: panna\, sila and samadhi\, corresponding to mind\, speech and body. \nThis first webinar series\, The Mystical Life: Right View in February\, 2017 focuses on mind & view (panna). This second series\, Career & Creativity: Right Livelihood\, relates action\, speech & sila. This third series of webinar teachings\, Healing the Splits Within: Right Effort\, focuses on effort\, part of body & samadhi. \nAnother orientation for the webinar topics would be like this: the nature of the mystical life (view)\, career as a path to awakening (speech) and healing the body of liberation (samadhi). Each of these sections will comprise of four consecutive Monday night teachings (12 in total)\, each ending with a weekend “at home” retreat to seal the teachings with actual practice and experience. \nHealing the Splits Within: Right Effort – \nWebinar Series Description:\n \nThere are easier and harder ways to get things done. Typically war and violence don’t resolve anything; similarly anger\, greed or confusion don’t yield happiness. \nHow can we heal the madness of society and people around us? First we must heal ourselves. The key to healing is applying effort efficiently and steadily to our attention. Attention and action that are wholesome – whole\, integrated\, holy – is in everyone’s best interest. What is “wholesome?” Whatever leads to our spiritual awakening\, our unfolding and development as an integrated\, whole\, holy human being. \nHow do we know whether we’re making a “complete effort?” Non-clinging is essential. In spite of what we might wish\, everything is impermanent. A large part of our struggle is trying to make the impermanent permanent. Through the effort of recognizing and behaving with the realization of non-clinging\, we eliminate the constipation of trying to cling to people or things or mindstates. Health is the natural result. \nWhat do we apply our effort to? It seems our efforts are mostly driven by our desires or personal preferences. If our desires are based on exploitation (what’s in it for me)\, we’re subject to the three conceits: I am better than\, worse than or equal to someone or something else. This comprises a search for safety and security in the material world\, where it can’t be found … and instead leads to anxiety and exploitation. Right effort is living by what you already have\, then extending the awareness and learning from that. \nRight effort means having the best vision. The “best vision” is that which brings greater degrees of freedom. We invite you to join us for this series of webinars\, to explore how you may find greater degrees of freedom in your life. \nCourse Dates: \nThe webinars are streamed live on Mondays\, Sept 4\, 11\, 18\, 25\, at 7:30pm Mountain Time. We encourage you to prioritize attending live\, in order to get the maximum benefit from the energy of the teachings\, and to be able to ask questions as they arise. \nIf this isn’t possible\, the classes may be watched as a recording for one week after the live class. The webinars are available online for one week after each session\, and directions will be given upon registration. \nFlash Retreat: On the weekend of Sept 30 and Oct 1\, 2017\, participants will meditate at home using a unique meditation (details to be announced) designed specifically for modern beings living in today’s world. We encourage you to book and plan for this time in your schedules in advance. \nHomework: Some homework will be given in each session that we can apply as we go through our day. \nOffice Hours: For Year of Victory program participants there are regular Saturday ‘Office Hours’ at 3pm MST to ask questions or ask for further clarification. For non year long participants there are our regularly scheduled ‘Office Hours’ that typically are every second Sunday at 3pm MST. \nOnline Forum for Connected Learning: We encourage attendees to participate in Juice\, our online forum designed to develop connections with other practitioners\, support one another\, and otherwise keep our practice juicy. On Juice we can share our experiences as we do the homework and reflect on the teachings\, and learn from one another’s experiences and perspectives. When we share what works for us\, our spiritual progress can really augment one another’s. \nNote that you must register before the start of the first webinar in order to watch all webinars in the series. \n \nDana and Fees\nDana\nIn accordance with the tradition of spiritual teachings everywhere\, the teachings are given by dāna so that finances will not be an impediment to receiving teachings. Dāna practice is a profound and very high teaching\, and we encourage you to educate yourself about it here (Dāna Guidelines & Practice)\, keep your dāna practice vibrant\, and do whatever you can to support the work we do. \nDāna is s non-transactional form of support\, and thus it’s most beneficial for the giver to give regularly and as generously as possible. With reflection\, we start to redefine what concepts like “support\,” “generosity\,” “giving\,” etc. truly mean. Traditionally dāna is given at the beginning of teachings\, in order to set our intention of participating with our utmost sincerity and diligence. \nFees\nThere is a basic course fee to defray the costs of providing these programs online that include the technology and infrastructure. If the course fee presents a challenge to you\, connect with us to explore alternative forms of energy exchange. \n  \nAbout Teachers Doug Duncan & Catherine Pawasarat:\nCombined\, Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat have been practicing the teachings of spiritual awakening for more than 60 years. They’re well versed in Buddhist and Western philosophy and practices\, as well as contemporary psychology\, consciousness studies and art. \nDoug and Catherine founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre in BC\, where they are based\, ten years ago. Having lived overseas for many years and traveled extensively\, they also draw on intercultural and trans-cultural experience to broaden the range and depth of their understandings of spiritual awakening & liberation that they share with others. \nTheir engaged compassion\, sense of humor and combined wisdom will enrich your life with exploration & discovery. Read their full bios: Dharma Teachers Doug Duncan & Catherine Pawasarat. \n \nSign up here to be notified about any updates regarding this retreat and other Planet Dharma news. \n  URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/right-effort-healing-webinar3/ LOCATION:British Columbia CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Right-Effort-Banner.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20170605 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20170627 DTSTAMP:20240512T225645Z CREATED:20160904T183446Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240512T225645Z UID:10000528-1496620800-1498521599@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Awakening Through Career & Creativity: Right Livelihood (Webinar Series Two) DESCRIPTION:Do you want to combine spiritual awakening with a fulfilling career and a life filled with creativity?\nJoin us for the second four part webinar series of 2017. \nEach of the three webinar series held throughout the year  draws on an aspect of the three parts of the Eightfold Ennobling Path. This methodology of spiritual awakening is divided into three sections: panna\, sila and samadhi\, corresponding to mind\, speech and body. \nThis first webinar series\, The Mystical Life: Right View in February\, 2017 focuses on mind & view (panna). This second series relates to livelihood\, part of speech & sila. The third series of webinar teachings\, Healing the Splits Within: Right Effort\, is offered September and will focus on effort\, part of body & samadhi. \nAnother orientation for the webinar topics would be like this: the nature of the mystical life (view)\, career as a path to awakening (speech) and healing the body of liberation (samadhi). Each of these sections will comprise of four consecutive Monday night teachings (12 in total)\, each ending with a weekend “at home” retreat to seal the teachings with actual practice and experience. \nAwakening Through Career & Creativity: Right Livelihood – \nWebinar Series Description:\n\nRight Livelihood is about finding the way to live in truth\, according to the laws of nature. By seeking the best state and the best supporting conditions for that\, we are able to transcend and live beyond much of the second-rate goods that consumerist society offers us. \nHow do we get the most beautiful for the least effort\, the least amount of energy expenditure? The most beautiful phenomenon in life is the spiritually awakened being. The transcendental state is the most wonderful one available to us\, to anyone. It is not a fad – it is timeless\, and it doesn’t become outdated. Fashions do go out of date\, so if we’re trying to be fashionable we’re probably not getting the best for the least effort. \nAs mentioned\, the Sanskrit word samma is often translated as “right\,” though a better translation would be “total” or “complete.” Meanwhile\, livelihood comes from ajiva\, which means “life.” Thus a total or complete life refers to something much bigger and more beautiful than just the job or career you have.  This webinar series invites you to find and live and work in that beauty. \nCourse Dates:\nThe webinars are streamed live on Mondays\, June 5\, 12\, 19\, 26\, at 7:30pm Mountain time. We encourage you to prioritize attending live\, in order to get the maximum benefit from the energy of the teachings\, and to be able to ask questions as they arise. \nIf this isn’t possible\, the classes may be watched as a recording for one week after the live class. The webinars are available online for one week after each session\, and directions will be given upon registration. \nFlash Retreat: On the weekend of July 1-2nd\, 2017\, participants will meditate at home using the Body of Truth\, a unique meditation designed specifically for modern beings living in today’s world. We encourage you to book and plan for this time in your schedules in advance. \nHomework: Some homework will be given in each session that we can apply as we go through our day. \nOffice Hours: For Year of Victory program participants there are regular Saturday ‘Office Hours’ at 3pm MST to ask questions or ask for further clarification. For non year long participants there are our regularly scheduled ‘Office Hours’ that typically are every 2nd Sunday at 3pm MST. \nOnline Forum for Connected Learning: We encourage attendees to participate in Juice\, our online forum designed to develop connections with other practitioners\, support one another\, and otherwise keep our practice juicy. On Juice we can share our experiences as we do the homework and reflect on the teachings\, and learn from one another’s experiences and perspectives. When we share what works for us\, our spiritual progress can really augment one another’s. \nNote that you must register before the start of the first webinar in order to watch all webinars in the series.  Once you have registered for the whole series\, there is also registration required for each individual webinar. \n \nDana and Fees:\nDana\nIn accordance with the tradition of spiritual teachings everywhere\, the teachings are given by dāna so that finances will not be an impediment to receiving teachings. Dāna practice is a profound and very high teaching\, and we encourage you to educate yourself about it here (Dāna guidelines & practice)\, keep your dāna practice vibrant\, and do whatever you can to support the work we do. \nDāna is s non-transactional form of support\, and thus it’s most beneficial for the giver to give regularly and as generously as possible. With reflection\, we start to redefine what concepts like “support\,” “generosity\,” “giving\,” etc. truly mean. Traditionally dāna is given at the beginning of teachings\, in order to set our intention of participating with our utmost sincerity and diligence. \nFees\nThere is a basic course fee to defray the costs of providing these programs online that include the technology and infrastructure. If the course fee presents a challenge to you\, connect with us to explore alternative forms of energy exchange.  \nAbout Teachers Doug Duncan & Catherine Pawasarat:\nCombined\, Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat have been practicing the teachings of spiritual awakening for more than 60 years. They’re well versed in Buddhist and Western philosophy and practices\, as well as contemporary psychology\, consciousness studies and art. \nDoug and Catherine founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre in BC\, where they are based\, twelve years ago. Having lived overseas for many years and traveled extensively\, they also draw on intercultural and trans-cultural experience to broaden the range and depth of their understandings of spiritual awakening & liberation that they share with others. \nTheir engaged compassion\, sense of humor and combined wisdom will enrich your life with exploration & discovery. Read their full bios: Dharma Teachers Doug Duncan & Catherine Pawasarat. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/right-livelihood-career-creativity-webinar2/ LOCATION:British Columbia CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Right-Livelihood-Banner.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20170213 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20170307 DTSTAMP:20240512T225355Z CREATED:20160904T182851Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240512T225355Z UID:10000527-1486944000-1488844799@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:The Mystical Life: Right View (Webinar Series One) DESCRIPTION:Are you ready to experience the mystical life?\nJoin us for the first four-part webinar series of 2017. \nEach of the three webinar series held throughout the year  draws on an aspect of the three parts of the Eightfold Ennobling Path. The Eightfold Path–a methodology for complete spiritual awakening–is divided into three sections: panna\, sila and samadhi. These may be translated as wisdom\, calm coolness\, and meditative absorption\, and correspond to mind\, speech and body. \nThe Mystical Life\, the first webinar series in February\, 2017\, focuses on mind & view\, leading to wisdom (panna). The second series\, Career & Creativity: Right Livelihood\, takes place in June and relates to livelihood\, part of speech & sila. The third series of webinar teachings\, Healing the Splits Within: Right Effort\, is offered September and will focus on effort\, part of body & samadhi. \nTraditionally each of the Eightfold Paths has been translated with the word “right:” Right view\, right livelihood\, right effort. However\, the Sanskrit word samma actually translates better as “complete” or “total\,” rather than having the nuance of right or wrong. \nAnother orientation for the webinar topics would be like this: we undertake to immerse ourselves in the nature of the mystical life (complete view)\, to pursue career as a path to awakening (complete livelihood) and experience integrated healing through the body of liberation (complete effort). \nEach of these sections will comprise of four consecutive Monday night teachings (12 in total)\, each ending with a weekend “at home” retreat to seal the teachings with actual practice and experience. \nThe Mystical Life: Right View – \nWebinar Series Description:\nPhoto: Daniela Hartman \nThe mystical life is the crown of human life and the heritage of all beings. \nFrom the top of the mountain we can see all the potential ways to climb up it. We can’t do that as we are climbing nor before we start. The easiest pathway up is often the smartest\, and therefore the most “beautiful.” By “beautiful” we mean in the sense of a finely trained athlete looking graceful and at ease as they perform extremely difficult maneuvers. Challenging things become easier\, more enjoyable\, and have a quality of artistry to them when our view is complete. \nNo one chooses the mystical life path for us\, not what many traditions call “God” or some kind of supreme being. We are all called to it. The “choosing” pertains to the moment-to-moment decisions we make about how to use our life force. Do we have the complete view? If not\, how can we develop it? \nOnce obstacles are removed\, the mystical life is self-revealing: the vision\, the clear view–or “right view” of the Eightfold Ennobling Path–is not about something concrete. Visions are about the known and dreams are about what is hidden. But the mystical life remains a beautiful mystery\, swelling in the unknown. It beckons to us all as our birthright as human beings. \nWe live between two walls of darkness: birth and death. The mystical life is about unknowing: that is\, entering into the divine mystery and living there. In that sense it is completion\, a complete view. \n\nWebinar Details:\nCourse Dates: \nThe webinars are streamed live on Mondays\, Feb. 13\, 20\, 27 and Mar. 6\, at 7:30pm Mountain Time. We encourage you to prioritize attending live\, in order to get the maximum benefit from the energy of the teachings\, and to be able to ask questions as they arise. \nIf this isn’t possible\, the classes may  be watched as a recording for one week after the live class. The webinars are available online for one week after each session\, and directions will be given upon registration. \nFlash Retreat: On the weekend of March 11 & 12\, 2017\,  participants will meditate at home using the Holistic Clearing Meditation\, a unique meditation designed specifically for modern beings living in today’s world. We encourage you to book and plan for this time in your schedules in advance. \nHomework: Some homework will be given in each session that we can apply as we go through our day. \nOffice Hours: For Year of Victory program participants there are regular Saturday ‘Office Hours’ at 3pm MST to ask questions or ask for further clarification. For non year long participants there are our regularly scheduled ‘Office Hours’ that typically are every 2nd Sunday at 3pm MST. \nOnline Forum for Connected Learning: We encourage attendees to participate in Juice\, our online forum designed to develop connections with other practitioners\, support one another\, and otherwise keep our practice juicy. On Juice we can share our experiences as we do the homework and reflect on the teachings\, and learn from one another’s experiences and perspectives. When we share what works for us\, our spiritual progress can really augment one another’s. \nCourse Texts or Reading: These webinars draw heavily on the years of training and practice of our teachers but interested parties may explore online for background information as a resource. \nNote that you must register before the start of the first webinar in order to watch all webinars in the series. \n \n\nDana and Fees\nDana\nIn accordance with the tradition of spiritual teachings everywhere\, the teachings are given by dāna so that finances will not be an impediment to receiving teachings. Dāna practice is a profound and very high teaching\, and we encourage you to educate yourself about it here (https://www.planetdharma.com/dana-guidelines-and-practices/)\, keep your dāna practice vibrant\, and do whatever you can to support the work we do. \nDāna is s non-transactional form of support\, and thus it’s most beneficial for the giver to give regularly and as generously as possible. With reflection\, we start to redefine what concepts like “support\,” “generosity\,” “giving\,” etc. truly mean. Traditionally dāna is given at the beginning of teachings\, in order to set our intention of participating with our utmost sincerity and diligence. \nFees\nThere is a basic course fee to defray the costs of providing these programs online that include the technology and infrastructure. If the course fee presents a challenge to you\, connect with us to explore alternative forms of energy exchange. \n\nAbout Teachers Doug Duncan & Catherine Pawasarat:\nCombined\, Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat have been practicing the teachings of spiritual awakening for more than 60 years. They’re well versed in Buddhist and Western philosophy and practices\, as well as contemporary psychology\, consciousness studies and art. \nDoug and Catherine founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre in BC\, where they are based\, ten years ago. Having lived overseas for many years and traveled extensively\, they also draw on intercultural and trans-cultural experience to broaden the range and depth of their understandings of spiritual awakening & liberation that they share with others. \nTheir engaged compassion\, sense of humor and combined wisdom will enrich your life with exploration & discovery. Read their full bios: Dharma Teachers Doug Duncan & Catherine Pawasarat \n  \n\n \n  \nSign up here to be notified about any updates regarding this retreat and other Planet Dharma news. \n  URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/right-view-mystical-life-webinar1/ LOCATION:British Columbia CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Right-View-Banner.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR