BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Planet Dharma - ECPv6.18.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH 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:20140309T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20141102T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20150308T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20151101T080000 END:STANDARD 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:VTIMEZONE TZID:UTC BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:UTC DTSTART:20130101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20200725T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20200726T113000 DTSTAMP:20260810T061208Z CREATED:20200608T221517Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260810T061208Z UID:10000598-1595671200-1595763000@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:2 Steps to Freedom: Change How You Act in the World by Changing How You See It DESCRIPTION:2 Steps to Freedom\n Online Public Talks | July 25th & 26th\, 2020\n People sometimes find themselves lost\, confused\, uncertain\, or doubtful about their path. Indeed\, the nature of samsara is that we get caught in chasing the same things\, over and over. \nYet right now\, you may be one of many people who see the disruption of 2020 as an opportunity to press reset on important aspects of your life. The problem is\, without the right focus\, without putting the right view first\, we’ll almost certainly end up in the same place. \n  \n DetailsRegister\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What does this mean? And how can we break free?\nEven in good states\, we work mostly on autopilot. We’re making decisions that come from our mind\, emotions\, memory\, or from a sense of “worldly” practicality. Or perhaps we close our eyes and hope that things will work out. Mostly\, we act from the idea that our worldly lives are fundamentally “real\,” something we need to control or to fix. By putting this view first\, however\, we’re basing our decisions and actions on the influences of our society\, family\, and changing states or emotions. So what’s the alternative? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Weekend Experience\n\nIn these two talks\, Dharma teachers Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat will propose that to get wonderful results from life we must start with questioning and adjusting this view. Without the right view\, our conduct cannot possibly flow in a wholesome\, generative way. \n[Note: Video recordings will be available to those who are unable to make the live teachings starting on the evening of Sunday\, July 26th. They will be accessible until end of the day Friday July 31st. You must register before the event in order to access these recordings.]  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What is the view?\nThe teachings show us that the ego is not real\, that nothing is permanent. Hence\, our first goal is to learn to dwell in a spacious clarity that is not dependent on conditions. \nWhile such fundamental truths are hard (for our egos) to grasp\, let alone keep in the forefront as we go about our daily lives\, we must nevertheless work from this understanding if we’re to hope for wonderful results. \nAs we learn to change the view to support the transcendental\, we also learn to be less affected when we don’t get what we want. In other words\, as we put the correct view first more and more\, it creates a shift in our judgement of how things are going. Instead of seeing the details of what we did or did not get along the way\, we instead begin to monitor how well our conduct is supporting and in alignment with what is most important to us. \nTo learn more about how this looks\, and for specific tools and techniques you can apply day to day\, join Doug and Catherine for these online talks: 2 Steps to Freedom. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Qapel Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Qapel (Achariya Doug Duncan) and Sensei (Catherine Pawasarat) were Planet Dharma’s founding teachers. Since Qapel passed away in 2024\, Catherine Sensei is our head teacher and lineage holder. Qapel and Sensei also founded Clear Sky Meditation Center\, BC\, Canada. \nQapel (Achariya Doug Duncan) received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Qapel embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat Sensei has trained daily with Qapel (Acariya Doug Duncan) since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine Sensei also draws on generative living and the arts. With Qapel she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nFees and Dāna\nThis course is offered by the teachers on the ancient principle of generosity\, or Dāna.  \nLocation:\nOnline (Zoom) \nDate and Time: \nSaturday July 25th & Sunday July 26th\, 2020 \n10am – 11:30am both days \n \n Register Here URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/2-steps-to-freedom/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Public Classes ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2-Steps-to-Freedom-Banner.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200615 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200713 DTSTAMP:20260608T060011Z CREATED:20190919T222129Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260608T060011Z UID:10000585-1592179200-1594598399@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Beyond the Cushion: Awakening our Highest Potential (Online) DESCRIPTION:Beyond the Cushion: Awakening our Highest Potential\n A Four Week Online Course | Starts June 15\, 2020\n We appreciate that many of you are at home with more discretionary time than usual. It’s a valuable opportunity to cultivate your spiritual practice. This will help you to navigate these changing times as a grounded\, clear\, and heart-centered being\, just what the world needs more of. To support you\, we’ve moved the online course we had planned for August up to June. Join us and grow your spiritual life\, for the benefit of all beings. \nOne might equate the spiritual life with a cloistered contemplative life.  But few of us live that way today.  What spiritual methodologies actually work for busy\, modern people living in a complex world?  In this online course we will share four pillars and five principles to take your practice beyond the meditation cushion. \n The CourseRegistration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Beyond the Cushion\nIf you’re like most people who care about the planet and growing your self-awareness\, you may have tried many practices to find deeper meaning and fulfillment in life\, such as yoga\, counseling\, books\, courses\, meditation. If\, after all these sincere efforts\, your daily life still isn’t working as well as you’d like\, there are reasons for this. And better yet\, there are ways to address and transcend it. \nIn this four-week online course\, Dharma Teachers Doug Duncan and Catherine Parawasarat share the essence of their spiritual training methodology. They describe four major training pillars and five principles for spiritual practice in the modern world. \nRooted in classical Buddhist training\, these methods are adapted for Western seekers by incorporating modern psychology\, therapy and philosophy. These practices support you to make changes in outdated views\, limiting habits and conflicted emotions. In other words\, this framework can help you take yourself to greater spiritual liberation. \nDoug and Catherine emphasize practice both as individuals and in community. Changing all this takes courage and work and revolutionizes your personal status quo. \nThe results? More joy\, more creativity\, more compassion\, more freedom\, and a greater sense of the true wealth of a life of awakening. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The [Online] course went beyond my expectations\, I feel I learned a lot of new things or new ways of seeing things. The teachers have an incredible way of presenting the themes in a way that makes it easy to understand. They also make the teachings fun and suggest exercises so that you can apply them in your life. \n Irene Arriaza\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I was expecting to get pearls of wisdom and I always get far far more. The  teachings always speak directly to me. It is uncanny. It is like hearing a language that I spoke in some other life-form and suddenly it rings a bell. And bell after bell. Like a universal language that we all used to speak but have forgotten\, and now as if a new pathway in the brain has opened up and the signals coming in are making sense! Directly from the cosmos via Doug and Catherine Sensei. \n Renata Drtinova\n Psychotherapist (Gestalt therapist) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The teachers of Planet Dharma [Online course] aim to provide opportunities to learn from age old teachings while including modern information as they are examples of continuing to learn about the fascinating\, yet troubled world we live in. They help one to develop ideas how to help out society\, live in society and contribute to themselves and others. \n Daniel O'Brien\n Author\, Japan Series \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Schedule\nStarts June 15\, 2020\nPLEASE NOTE to deepen and integrate your experience\, we are offering three optional weekly Master Classes during the course and an at-home Flash Retreat at the end. See below for more details.   \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, June 15\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class One\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We start our journey with an introduction to the unique attributes of the modern day spiritual seeker – that’s you!  What are the challenges\, strengths\, talents and weaknesses for a 21st century person on this journey? Discover how and why we must walk a spiritual path that takes us beyond the meditation cushion\, liberating all aspects of life via the intellect\, sensing\, intuition and feeling functions. \nIn class one\, we will cover one of four important pillars of our spiritual training methodology – the intellect. In other words\, how are you learning\, studying and looking? Could you do so more deeply?  Applying your intellect means to examine your world more closely.  Are you actually paying attention or just sleepwalking through life?   \nWherever we have assumptions\, mental models and fixed views\, we have room to engage our intellect and go deeper.        It might just catapult us into a new way of looking\, being\, and experiencing – and that means more awakening. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, June 22\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class Two\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In this class we ask how well you are really ‘doing? With a focus on the ‘do’ we’ll learn how to fully engage the sensing function. In the doing\, the act of service\, are you fully present with the experience itself?  Are you aware of your movements\, the colour\, the tactility\, the sounds and smells of every moment?   \nKarma yoga\, or service\, helps one live with increasing generosity.  It is about doing what needs to be done in the moment and practicing compassionate communication with the people you are with. It takes our practice beyond the meditation cushion and into a lived\, real world experience.  It helps us embrace community\, and contribute to something beyond ourselves — rather than just paying ‘lip-service’ to an idealised\, intellectualised view of what we think community might be.  \nUltimately\, we stretch our comfort zones to become more than our limited views of ourselves. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, June 29\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class Three\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In week three\, we dive into meditation\, an indispensable practice of the intuitive function. Meditation is about attentiveness\, concentration\, calm\, bliss and insight.  It may take the form of traditional buddhist meditation practices (tranquility meditations\, insight practice\, rituals and arising yoga) or\, it might take the shape of meditations from the Western Mystical traditions (star group\, creative visualisation and prayer).  \nBy studying with experienced meditation guides\, the path of meditation is safer\, more stable and reliable.  Immersing yourself with teachers in retreat settings becomes extremely powerful and liberative.  And at the same time\, we also train to meditate on the fly\, in our day-to-day activities.   \nMeditation takes us below the ‘surface waves’ of our mind\, and into the still waters below\, where we can finally experience the unitive mind. This is a relief for our typically isolated ego views.  By learning to surrender in meditation\, we realise we are one with everything and everyone.  It can’t get much better than that\, can it? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, July 6\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class Four\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n To wrap up this series\, we take you into the realms of the feeling function\, via Therapy and integrating the ‘shadow’.  Shadow work integrates the ‘taboo’ aspects of the psyche\, the parts of ourselves that we don’t want to look at\, that we are afraid of\, or have rejected.  Spiritual practice often focuses on re-discovering the light. With shadow work\, we do the important work of bringing the light into the dark.  \nOn the spiritual path\, the Teachers and community of practitioners supportively hold up a mirror for you to see the unconscious forces in your being.   \nWhat are those unconscious forces?  Common themes in our collective shadow\, relate to money\, sex and power. If the spiritual path is about surrendering to the unitive state\, can you surrender your feelings of power and control? Can you surrender your beliefs about sex? Can you surrender the security your ego ties to money? Or\, at least\, can you see how hard it is to surrender your views about these things?  By seeing the block\, walls and the fixedity of the ego’s attitudes to certain taboo areas\, we become more conscious and freer. \nAnd\, it is through shadow work\, that we learn what a “good friend” actually means… don’t you wonder? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Study and Meditation Electives\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Master Classes\n \n \n \n \n \n Three Sundays\n \n \n \n \n \n There are weekly Master Classes (akin to online Q&A Office Hours) during this online course to support your deepening learning and practice\, on the following dates at 3pm MST: \n\nSun. June 21\nSun. June 28\nSun. July 5\n\nYou can elect to attend all three or individual dates. \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration & Dana links for Master Classes will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat\n \n \n \n \n \n July 10-12\, 2020\n \n \n \n \n \n Elect to deepen your practice via a Flash Retreat during the last weekend of this course.  The retreat provides practitioners a valuable opportunity to integrate and seal the learnings from the online course\, in a format well suited for our contemporary lives. \nThe retreat will include instructions\, online check-ins\, and a Master Class on Sunday\, July 12. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration and Dana links for the Flash Retreat will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \nSangha power – consider organizing or joining regional in-person or online sangha groups to support one another during the online courses and Flash Retreats. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nEach of the four weekly classes in this online course will be video streamed live at 7:30pm MST. The recording will be available for one week after each class. \nStudy and Meditation Opportunities in addition to the classes include Master Classes on three Sundays at 3pm MST\, and a Flash Retreat on July 10-12. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What does the Course Cost?\n We offer this course on the basis of dāna (generosity) plus  an admin fee* of $100 (USD).  The admin fee is to cover the costs of running these online courses – for equipment and software to provide you the teachings online. The teachers’ time and the teaching content itself is offered on the basis of dāna.  Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”\, and is the traditional way in which Buddhist teachings are offered.  With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. You may have come across this in the form of “pay from the heart”. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. We suggest a range between $120 and $500 for this four-week course. For more information on dāna click here. \nExtra Electives:  Registration is for all four online classes in this series. Additionally there are three elective Sunday master classes you can opt to join\, as well as a weekend flash retreat at the end of the four weeks. Registration & Dana links for these will be accessible to you when you have registered for the main course. \n \n \n \n \n \n About the Admin Fee*\n As an international organization that operates year round\, Planet Dharma has a variety of ongoing costs. The admin fee for each online course is designed to help cover some of these expenses. \nIn a traditional model of in-person teachings\, a retreat center or urban meditation center invites teachers to visit. In these cases the centers have infrastructure and organization costs to cover\, which might be covered by an admin fee. For the teaching itself\, dāna to the teachers is offered in a bowl. This honors both the sustainability of the teachers\, and of the supporting center. \nWe’ve tried to recreate this approach online. The teachers’ time and the teaching themselves are offered on the basis of dāna\, separate to the admin fee. With our dāna offering we are making a direct gift of generosity to the teachers to support their teachings and livelihood. Learn more about the practice of dāna here. The admin fee goes to support the infrastructure and organization necessary to support them to teach. As anyone with an online business will know\, it can be surprising the costs of setting up a good infrastructure to support effective teaching and connection online. \nBelow are a few of the work and benefits that your admin fee payment is supporting: \n\nhigh speed internet (to allow interviews and classes on-line)\nonline class systems (Zoom)\nregistration / admin systems (Eventbrite\, Basecamp)\ncommunication systems to keep everyone informed\, share connection details\, teachings and other resources (Mailchimp)\nonline storage (for example\, Dropbox\, to allow us to let students watch recordings\, and to store and share selected teachings in other forms such as podcasts and video later\, and Amazon cloud)\nquality sound\, video and editing equipment (both for live teachings and to provide good enough quality for later sharing as podcasts and video). We are regularly updating our equipment to improve your user experience.\nonline calendar booking system to allow students to book interviews\nwebsite hosting and maintenance for sharing upcoming courses\, teachings\, blogs and other resources.\n\nMay all our efforts be sustainable\, abundant and for the benefit of all beings! We welcome any questions. Please feel free to contact registrar@planetdharma.com \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n * It is a core part of our tradition that no one is excluded from hearing the teachings due to financial constraints. We recognize that the COVID-19 situation may have affected many people’s livelihoods. If this is your situation\, please contact registrar@planetdharma.com to discuss options for reducing or waiving the admin fee. \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n It has been sheer joy to be a participant in the Foundations of Buddhist Philosophy online classes. They made the practice come alive for me and accessible and pertinent to my every-day life. And of course\, I always enjoy Doug and Catherine’s unfailing good humour which put a lighter touch on what can sometimes be a very dry subject. \n Ronda Clanfield\n Resources Specialist\, CBC National TV News (retired) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fabulous mindfulness teachers\, presenting a variety of accessible tools for unfolding\, in a mutual\, community inspired way. It’s great that classes can be watched in person\, virtually\, or within a week depending on one’s schedule. Increase the awareness\, compassion\, wisdom\, strength\, and joy in your life! \n Brendan Ries\n Life Coach\, Teacher and Artist\, Conscious Money \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n [The online classes] are a fantastic tool for me to not get completely lost in Samsara throughout the year\, especially because I don’t live in Canada and cannot be with the teachers so often. I still felt very connected and supported by the Lamas and Sangha. As a result I became much more aware of my state of mind than I would ordinarily.  \n Andrea Netscher\n Physiotherapist\, Germany \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Course is the third of four Online Courses in 2020.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Diamond RealizationJanuary 6\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta: Four Foundations of MindfulnessApril 6\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Beyond the Cushion: Awakening our Highest PotentialJune 15\n Register\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Eye of the Storm: Navigating the Modern WorldOctober 12\n Details URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/beyond-cushion-online-course3-2020/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/diamond-sutra-course.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200406 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200504 DTSTAMP:20260606T061513Z CREATED:20190919T181838Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260606T061513Z UID:10000583-1586131200-1588550399@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:The Four Foundations of Mindfulness: The Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta (Online) DESCRIPTION:Four Foundations of Mindfulness: The Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta\n A Four Week Online Course | Starts April 6\, 2020\n What are the four foundations of mindfulness that provide a platform for insight\, and ‘clear seeing’? Discover indispensable tools for crafting a powerful meditation practice. \n The CourseRegistration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Four Foundations of Mindfulness: The Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta\nWhile we believe any undertaking can be a vehicle for awakening\, there’s no substitute for the power of one’s own profound experience of truth\, gained through meditation. This is why meditation is one of the four foundational practices of our teaching. \nIn this four-week online course\, we take a deep dive to explore the Theravadin tradition of vipassana or insight meditation. We’ll focus on the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta\, or discourse on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness\, which has been described as the most profound discourse the Buddha ever gave on mental development. \nThis simple yet powerful framework will help you extend your meditation experience to everything from subatomic particles to the vastness of space\, and all that’s between. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Recommended Reading\nTo prepare\, please read the full Satipatthana Sutta before class.  You can find a link here: Satipatthana Sutta \nWe also recommend Namgyal Rinpoche’s short and pithy Breath of Awakening\, a commentary on the Anapanasati Sutta\, which is nice background for the Satipatthana Sutta. \nThe book is available at the Clear Sky Center shop\, or through our friends at Bodhi Publishing (recommend ordering well in advance\, as delivery times vary). \n \n Order Here\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The [Online] course went beyond my expectations\, I feel I learned a lot of new things or new ways of seeing things. The teachers have an incredible way of presenting the themes in a way that makes it easy to understand. They also make the teachings fun and suggest exercises so that you can apply them in your life. \n Irene Arriaza\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n I was expecting to get pearls of wisdom and I always get far far more. The  teachings always speak directly to me. It is uncanny. It is like hearing a language that I spoke in some other life-form and suddenly it rings a bell. And bell after bell. Like a universal language that we all used to speak but have forgotten\, and now as if a new pathway in the brain has opened up and the signals coming in are making sense! Directly from the cosmos via Doug and Catherine Sensei. \n Renata Drtinova\n Psychotherapist (Gestalt therapist) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The teachers of Planet Dharma [Online course] aim to provide opportunities to learn from age old teachings while including modern information as they are examples of continuing to learn about the fascinating\, yet troubled world we live in. They help one to develop ideas how to help out society\, live in society and contribute to themselves and others. \n Daniel O'Brien\n Author\, Japan Series \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Schedule\nStarts April 6\, 2020\nPLEASE NOTE to deepen and integrate your experience\, we are offering three optional weekly Master Classes during the course and an at-home Flash Retreat at the end. See below for more details.   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, April 6\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 1\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mindfulness of Kaya. Explore awareness of the body\, form\, and the transitions between physical sensations. \nAs with all forms\, the body comes into being\, remains present for a time\, and then passes away. With this practice we can directly experience that the body (and everything else) is impermanent. \nWhat happens when one acknowledges this impermance? Join us and find out. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, April 13\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 2\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mindfulness of Vedana. The second foundation of mindfulness includes cultivating awareness of feelings or evaluations\, and the transitions between them. \nIn this tradition\, there are only three feelings: pleasant\, unpleasant\, and neutral. No story! \nWhat does this dramatic simplification do to our interaction with feelings? As we note a feeling arising\, being present\, and passing away\, how then do we relate to our feelings?   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, April 20\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 3\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mindfulness of Citta. As we cultivate awareness of mind or states of consciousness\, we learn to watch as they arise and pass away. \nWhat then\, is mind? Does it make sense for us to link our wellbeing to our fluctuating states of mind? What choices do we have? We learn the answers through mindfulness of mind.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, April 27\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 4\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mindfulness of Dhammas. As we cultivate ever-greater awareness of phenomena\, we develop awareness of the nature of consciousness (dhammas). \nAre we conscious? How can we become more conscious? Is the universe conscious? How does the consciousness “I” experience relate to greater consciousness? \nIn this online class we explore the contemplation of dhamma for these keys to spiritual awakening.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Study and Meditation Electives\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Master Classes\n \n \n \n \n \n Three Sundays\n \n \n \n \n \n There are weekly Master Classes (akin to online Q&A Office Hours) during this online course to support your deepening learning and practice\, on the following dates at 3pm MST: \n\nSun. April 12\nSun. April 19\nSun. April 26\n\nYou can elect to attend all three or individual dates. \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration & Dana links for Master Classes will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat\n \n \n \n \n \n May 1-3\, 2020\n \n \n \n \n \n Elect to deepen your practice via a Flash Retreat during the last weekend of this course.  The retreat provides practitioners a valuable opportunity to integrate and seal the learnings from the online course\, in a format well suited for our contemporary lives. \nThe retreat will include instructions\, online check ins\, and a Master Class on Sunday\, May. 3 at 3pm MST. \nWe encourage you to attend this weekend retreat at Clear Sky Centre\, or together with your local sangha\, or if those not available to you\, in your home. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration and Dana links for the Flash Retreat will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \nSangha power – consider organizing or joining regional in-person or online sangha groups to support one another during the online courses and Flash Retreats.  \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nEach of the four weekly classes in this online course will be video streamed live at 7:30pm MST. The recording will be available for one week after each class. \nStudy and Meditation Opportunities in addition to the classes include Master Classes on three Sundays at 3pm MST\, and a Flash Retreat. \nReading\nBreath of Awakening by Namgyal Rinpoche. Click for details. \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\nWe offer this course on the basis of dāna (generosity) plus  an admin fee of $100 (USD).  The admin fee* is to cover the costs of running these online courses – for equipment and software to provide you the teachings online. \nThe teacher’s time and the teaching content itself is offered on the basis of dāna.  Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”\, and is the traditional way in which Buddhist teachings are offered.  With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. You may have come across this in the form of “pay from the heart”. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. We suggest a range between $120 and $500 for this four-week course. For more information on dāna click here. \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n Note: Registration is for all four online classes in this series.  Additionally there are three elective Sunday master classes you can opt to join\, as well as a weekend flash retreat at the end of the four weeks.  Registration & Dana links for these will be accessible to you when you have registered for the main course. \n \n \n \n \n \n * It is a core part of our tradition that no one is excluded from hearing the teachings due to financial constraints. We recognize that the COVID-19 situation may have affected many people’s livelihoods. If this is your situation\, please contact registrar@planetdharma.com to discuss options for reducing or waiving the admin fee. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n It has been sheer joy to be a participant in the Foundations of Buddhist Philosophy streamed classes. They made the practice come alive for me and accessible and pertinent to my every-day life. And of course\, I always enjoy Doug and Catherine’s unfailing good humour which put a lighter touch on what can sometimes be a very dry subject. \n Ronda Arnfield\n Resources Specialist\, CBC National TV News (retired) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fabulous mindfulness teachers\, presenting a variety of accessible tools for unfolding\, in a mutual\, community inspired way. It’s great that classes can be watched in person\, virtually\, or within a week depending on one’s schedule. Increase the awareness\, compassion\, wisdom\, strength\, and joy in your life! \n Brendan Ries\n Life Coach\, Teacher and Artist\, Conscious Money \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n [The online classes] are a fantastic tool for me to not get completely lost in Samsara throughout the year\, especially because I don’t live in Canada and cannot be with the teachers so often. I still felt very connected and supported by the Lamas and Sangha. As a result I became much more aware of my state of mind than I would ordinarily.  \n Andrea Netscher\n Physiotherapist\, Germany \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Course is the second of four Online Courses in 2020.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Diamond RealizationJanuary 6\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Satipatthana Sutta: Four Foundations of MindfulnessApril 6\n Register\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Beyond the Cushion: Awakening our Highest PotentialJune 1\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Eye of the Storm: Navigating the Modern WorldOctober 12\n Details URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/foundations-mindfulness-satipatthana-sutta-online-course2-2020/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/clear-seeing-vipassana.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20200328T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20200329T233000 DTSTAMP:20260807T064554Z CREATED:20200224T032609Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260807T064554Z UID:10000595-1585389600-1585524600@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Enlightened Archetypes: Energies We Need to Awaken (ONLINE) DESCRIPTION:Enlightened Archetypes: Energies We Need to Awaken\n Online Public Talks | March 28th & 29th\, 2020\n Renowned psychologist Carl Jung studied archetypes\, including Vajrayana Buddhism. He believed that we all have access to such strong\, healthy archetypes through the collective unconscious\, yet individually they are largely misunderstood or incomplete. \nJung believed that one healing modality is to call them forth into consciousness and make them whole again. Indeed\, enlightenment or the process of awakening\, is referred to as the Great Healing. \n. \n  \n DetailsRegister\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Weekend Experience\n\nIn these two morning talks\, Doug Sensei will focus on the energies and teachings associated with Vajrayana Buddhist archetypes\, and how they can be used wisely and compassionately for our unfoldment. \nNOTE: Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns\, we have restructured this weekend intensive originally set to take place in Calgary into online teachings. The original plan involved a Vajrapani wongkur. We will be looking at a future date when we can reschedule this for the Calgary participants. Stay tuned. In the meantime\, if you would like an immersive experience of tantric deity practice\, we encourage you to join the Tantric Deep Dive retreat that is still set to take place at Clear Sky Retreat Center in June. Click here for more details. \nPart 1 – 10am Saturday Talk: Why do we need archetypes? An introduction to Tibetan deities \nPart 2 – (Postponed) Empowerment Ceremony (Wong Kur) – Vajrapani\, The Body of the Buddha \nPart 3 – 10am Sunday: Embodying awakened energies through the practice \n \n[Note: Video recordings will be available to those who are unable to make the live teachings starting on Monday\, March 30th in the morning. They will be accessible until end of the day Friday April 3rd. You must register before the event in order to access these recordings.]  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teacher\n \n \n \n \n \n Achariya Doug Duncan has been teaching the Buddhist path to awakening for over three decades.  Known for his direct and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces the full spectrum of the various traditions he employs in order to mentor beings to a more awakened state. His great sense of humour\, caring attitude and sometimes very direct involvement makes him an effective catalyst for opening the shadow\, for very practical application of the teachings\, for humorous and gentle relief when tensions mount and through a diverse range of explorations expands the teachings to include all aspects of life. \nDoug received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nFees and Dāna\nThis course is offered by the Doug Sensei based on the ancient principle of generosity\, or Dāna.  \nLocation:\nOnline (Zoom) \nDate and Time: \nSaturday March 28th & Sunday March 29th\, 2020 \n10am – 11:30am both days \n \n Register Here URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/enlightened-archetypes-calgary/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses,Public Classes ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Enlightened-Archetypes-MeetUp-Banner.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Dharma Hub Calgary":MAILTO:conscioustransformationcalgary@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200301 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20210322 DTSTAMP:20200229T052412Z CREATED:20200229T051724Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200229T052412Z UID:10000596-1583020800-1616371199@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Intro to AstroDharma (A Self-Study Course) DESCRIPTION:Intro to AstroDharma: Online Self Study Program\nIntro to AstroDharma is an online self-study program that supports you as you begin the journey of self-discovery and transformation through the uniquely combined lens of Buddhist teachings (Dharma) and transpersonal Western astrology. \nLearn more or register by visiting the course page. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/intro-to-astrodharma-a-self-study-course/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/intro-astrodharma.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200301 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200302 DTSTAMP:20200229T052557Z CREATED:20160203T205933Z LAST-MODIFIED:20200229T052557Z UID:10000510-1583020800-1583107199@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Intro to AstroDharma (Ongoing Enrollment) DESCRIPTION:  \nIntro to AstroDharma: Online Self Study Program\nIntro to AstroDharma is an online self-study program that supports you as you begin the journey of self-discovery and transformation through the uniquely combined lens of Buddhist teachings (Dharma) and transpersonal Western astrology. \nLearn more or register by visiting the course page. \n  \n  URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/awakening-through-astrology-intro-to-astro-dharma-online-course/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Intro-to-AstroDharma-Banner-web.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200106 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200203 DTSTAMP:20260615T060325Z CREATED:20190822T144749Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260615T060325Z UID:10000580-1578268800-1580687999@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Diamond Realization: Clarity in an Unclear World (Online) DESCRIPTION:Diamond Realization: Clarity in an Unclear World\n A Four Week Online Course | Starts January 6\, 2020\n Let your mind shine like a diamond. A clear and strong consciousness cuts through foggy or disillusioned mind states to reveal wisdom and ultimate truth. By studying the Diamond Sutra\, we deepen our abilities to act in the world more skillfully and effectively with a profound reverence for every moment. \n The CourseSchedule\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Diamond Sutra\nDeepen your own unfoldment with our exploration of the Diamond Sutra through the scope of awakened master\, Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche. \n\nOne of the most treasured sutras in the Mahayana canon\, the Diamond Sutra is also recognized as the oldest dated and printed book in existence. The full translation of the book’s title is “The Diamond Which Cuts Through Illusion.” \n“Whosoever can receive and retain this teaching\, study it\, recite it and spread it abroad will be clearly perceived and recognized by the Tathagata and will achieve a perfection of merit beyond measurement or calculation – a perfection of merit unlimited and inconceivable.” \n– The Buddha (The Diamond Sutra\, Section XV\, The Incomparable Value of This Teaching) \n\n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Recommended Reading\n For this online study of the Diamond Sutra\, we will use Suchness\, the commentary by the great awakened master Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche.  \nWe recommend that you order a copy of Suchness from Bodhi Publishing for the course.  Shipping times may vary so we suggest doing this at your earliest convenience.  \n \n Order Here\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Schedule\nStarts January 6th\, 2020 \nPLEASE NOTE to deepen and integrate your experience\, we are offering three optional weekly Master Classes during the course and an at-home Flash Retreat at the end. See below for more details.   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, JANUARY 6\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 1\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In this class we explore the context of the Diamond Sutra: how was Buddhist philosophy evolving at the time the Diamond Sutra emerged\, and what monumental shift in spiritual perception does it herald? \nWhat exactly made Subhuti one of the Buddha’s “best” students? How did the Buddha explain how we could control thoughts? And how is all this relevant for our own practice today?  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, January 13\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 2\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The diamond or thunderbolt cuts through delusional states of mind to reveal wisdom and ultimate truth. \nThis class explores the nature of birth and existence; the practice of bodhisattvas; the nature of Mind Only; and how to use thought to end all thought.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, January 20\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 3\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In this class we review how faith empowers beings to enter the stream of awakening. \nTo this end\, we must put aside all our efforts to build up a permanent identity\, which by definition cannot exist. We look at how the Diamond Sutra heavily influenced Chinese Ch’an and Japanese Zen schools of Buddhism: Enlightenment is empty and therefore beyond concepts or expression. \nDespite turning no dharmas into dharmas\, bodhisattvas remain unattached to both. What is the one question between you and enlightenment? \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, January 27\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Class 4\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Explore the illusory nature of self\, and the pursuit of non-attachment and emptiness as ultimate reality. \nHow can we do this\, when truth is beyond words? The Diamond Sutra teaches us that all limitations are constructs of the mind. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Study and Meditation Electives\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Master Classes\n \n \n \n \n \n Three Sundays\n \n \n \n \n \n There are weekly Master Classes (akin to online Q&A Office Hours) during this online course to support your deepening learning and practice\, on the following dates at 3pm MST: \n\nSun. Jan 12\nSun. Jan 19\nSun. Jan 26\n\nYou can elect to attend all three or individual dates. \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration & Dana links for Master Classes will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat\n \n \n \n \n \n January 31-February 2\n \n \n \n \n \n Elect to deepen your practice via an at-home Flash Retreat during the last weekend of this course.  This two-night retreat provides practitioners a valuable opportunity to integrate and seal the learnings from the online course\, in a format well suited for our contemporary lives. \nThe retreat will include instructions\, online check ins\, and a Master Class on Sunday\, Feb. 2. \nWe encourage you to attend this weekend retreat at Clear Sky Centre\, or together with your local sangha\, or if those not available to you\, in your home. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration and Dana links for the Flash Retreat will be accessible to you when you register for the course. \nSangha power – consider organizing or joining regional in-person or online sangha groups to support one another during the online courses and Flash Retreats.  \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Getting Naked: Watch a Video on the Diamond Sutra\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nEach of the four weekly classes in this online course will be video streamed live at 7:30pm MST. The recording will be available for one week after each class. \nStudy and Meditation Opportunities in addition to the classes include Master Classes on three Sundays at 3pm MST\, and a Flash Retreat on Jan 31-Feb 2. \nReading\nFor reading the Diamond Sutra\, we highly recommend Namgyal Rinpoche’s book Suchness – The Diamond State Of Realization available from Bodhi Publishing.   \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\nWe offer this course on the basis of dāna (generosity) plus  an admin fee of $100 (USD).  The admin fee is to cover the costs of running these online courses – for equipment and software to provide you the teachings online. \nThe teacher’s time and the teaching content itself is offered on the basis of dāna.  Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”\, and is the traditional way in which Buddhist teachings are offered.  With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. You may have come across this in the form of “pay from the heart”. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. We suggest a range between $120 and $500 for this four-week course. For more information on dāna click here. \n \n \n \n \n \n Note: this registration is for all four online classes in this series.  Additionally there are three elective Sunday master classes you can opt to join\, as well as a weekend flash retreat at the end of the four weeks.  Registration & Dana links for these will be accessible to you when you have registered for the main course. \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Registration\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n It has been sheer joy to be a participant in the Foundations of Buddhist Philosophy streamed classes. They made the practice come alive for me and accessible and pertinent to my every-day life. And of course\, I always enjoy Doug and Catherine’s unfailing good humour which put a lighter touch on what can sometimes be a very dry subject. \n Ronda Arnfield\n Resources Specialist\, CBC National TV News (retired) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Fabulous mindfulness teachers\, presenting a variety of accessible tools for unfolding\, in a mutual\, community inspired way. It’s great that classes can be watched in person\, virtually\, or within a week depending on one’s schedule. Increase the awareness\, compassion\, wisdom\, strength\, and joy in your life! \n Brendan Ries\n Life Coach\, Teacher and Artist\, Conscious Money \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n [The online classes] are a fantastic tool for me to not get completely lost in Samsara throughout the year\, especially because I don’t live in Canada and cannot be with the teachers so often. I still felt very connected and supported by the Lamas and Sangha. As a result I became much more aware of my state of mind than I would ordinarily.  \n Andrea Netscher\n Physiotherapist\, Germany \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Course is the first of four Online Courses in 2020.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Diamond Realization: Clarity in an Unclear WorldJanuary 6\n Register\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta: Four Foundations of MindfulnessApril 6\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Getting Your House in Order: Elements of a Spiritual ContainerAugust 3\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Manifesting the Path of VictoryOctober 5\n Details URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/diamond-sutra-online-2020/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/diamond-cuts-through-illusion.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20190909 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191001 DTSTAMP:20260522T114634Z CREATED:20180921T012516Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260522T114634Z UID:10000566-1567987200-1569887999@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Crazy Wisdom: Taking a Walk on the Wild Side DESCRIPTION:Crazy Wisdom: Taking a Walk on the Wild Side\n A Four Week Online Course | Starts September 9\, 2019\n It takes courage and an open mind to explore the frontiers of awakening. What’s more\, this greater range of understanding creates something we all desire: greater degrees of freedom. And freedom ain’t for the faint of heart. \n The CourseSchedule\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Crazy Wisdom: Taking a Walk on the Wild Side\nMeditation trains us to pay attention in any and every situation\, making a broader range of experience available to seekers of every type. \nWhat’s more\, this greater range of understanding creates something we all desire: greater degrees of freedom. And freedom ain’t for the faint of heart. \nIt takes courage and an open mind to explore the frontiers of awakening.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Schedule\nStarts September 9\, 2019 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, SEPTEMBER 9 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Spiritual Energy Traders\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What do our relationships with our mothers\, capitalism\, and the Triple Gem have in common? Without mindfulness and a robust sense of love\, all may fall into an exploitative dynamic\, one that’s not in our own best interest. How can we live abundantly and generously as spiritual beings in a capitalist system? We look at the sophistication of giving and receiving skills\, the future of sacred economics\, and how these impact our spiritual awakening.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, September 16\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Only the Shadow Knows\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Developments in 20th-century psychology introduced us to the concept of our personal and collective shadows. Integrating the shadow is central to our teaching\, and can feel arduous and distressing at times\, but brings with it infinite rewards. Liberating the shadow frees up immense amounts of energy previously spent repressing or otherwise avoiding it\, and helps us become much more pleasant\, effective and beneficial (loving) beings. So what does it take? What kinds of things can I do on my own and what do I need help with? How and from who?\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, September 23 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n AstroDharma\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n AstroDharma allows us to use relative truth of our astrological charts to better understand the karmically shaped or conditioned self. We then use dharma and transpersonal psychology to understand how to transcend the limitations of this self. In this way it’s a powerful tool for bridging relative and absolute truths\, and the right and left brain\, as experienced in daily life. In this class we share some of the aspects of AstroDharma that we’ve found have the greatest transformative potential. You’ll better understand how these dynamics are at play in your own life\, and how to use them for your unfoldment. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, September 30\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Money\, Sex and Power\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The nature of the ego is to seek security\, an unassailable identity\, and control. All of these are ego defenses rooted in the lower three chakras. The thing is\, this quest makes for a fragile and limited life. If we feel driven to always be in control\, for example\, opportunities for joyful spontaneity are drastically reduced. The spiritual life supports us to cultivate flexibility and freedom\, and to make choices based in loving kindness compassion and wisdom. Through this process our three lower chakras become more strengthened and healthier\, plus we develop the strength and courage to choose to live from the upper four chakras. Then we get to enjoy the wonders\, joys and other benefits of living well from the heart and intuition as spiritual beings. And we still get to enjoy the upsides of healthy money\, sex\, and power.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 4-6\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Flash Retreat provides practitioners with a valuable opportunity to integrate and seal the learnings from the Crazy Wisdom online course\, in a format well suited for our contemporary lives. We encourage you to attend this weekend retreat at Clear Sky\, or together with your local sangha\, or if those not available to you\, in your home. Planet Dharma provides themes\, meditations and guidelines to support Flash Retreat participants in the diamond and ruby levels. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nEach of the four weekly classes in this online course will be video streamed live at 7:30pm MST. The recording will be available for one week after each class. \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\nWe offer this course on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this is the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. We suggest a range between $120 and $500 for this four week course. \n \n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Course is the third of three Online Courses in 2019.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Pearl Without PriceStarts January 21\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riding the DragonStarts June 3\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Crazy WisdomStarts Sept 9\n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug & Catherine’s teachings are a rallying cry for all those who want no-holds-barred\, honest guidance on the path of awakening.  I’m thoroughly inspired by the spiritual potential we all have\, and sobered by the challenges we face as a species and global consciousness.  The path they lay out makes it clear that the journey is worth taking. \n Cara Conroy-Low\n Acupuncturist\, Canada \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug and Catherine are always burning calories to get you back on a path that can lead toward greater self-awareness. When I am with these two very clear individuals\, I am humbled by their dedication to others\, and understand the every-waking-moment responsibility that comes with their calling. \n Peter Ujlaki\n Fine Art Dealer\, Japan \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n If you get a chance to study with Doug and Catherine\, don’t miss it. Through the power of long dedication\, deep meditation\, and wise guidance\, life can definitely be transformed. \n Paul Jaffe\n Retired Professor & Meditation Teacher\, New York URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/crazy-wisdom-taking-a-walk-on-the-wild-side/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/3.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20190603T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20190630T170000 DTSTAMP:20260625T051053Z CREATED:20180921T014854Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260625T051053Z UID:10000567-1559548800-1561914000@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Riding the Dragon: Spiritual Awakening in Modern Life DESCRIPTION:Riding the Dragon: Spiritual Awakening in Modern Life\n A Four Week Online Course | Starts June 3\, 2019\n How do we integrate our spiritual practice with the demands of modern life? As more of us embrace contemporary spiritual paths\, we are co-creating ways to make it viable\, attractive and powerful. \n The CourseSchedule\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riding the Dragon: Spiritual Awakening in Modern Life\nAs more and more of us embrace modern spiritual paths\, we are co-creating ways to make it viable\, attractive and powerful. How do we integrate our spiritual practice with the demands of modern life? To help ease the learning curve for others\, we share our wisdom from founding both a virtual and a working monastery. We address the common challenges we see many contemporary spiritual practitioners face. More to the point\, we share successful strategies for upcycling these challenges as fuel for the awakening fire. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Schedule\nStarts June 3\, 2019. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, JUNE 3\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Awakening Through Creativity\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The awakening mind rests in spaciousness or sunyata\, where all thoughts\, feelings\, actions\, and states of being from past\, present and future exist simultaneously. All of creation is birthed from this state of spaciousness. To “find” a solution\, to receive inspiration to craft something beautiful\, to introduce an invention that makes our lives better\, or to develop a better future for the planet\, we simply need to connect with sunyata to create the space and connection for these to emerge through us. Expand your view of what “creativity” is\, and develop your ability to connect with this awakening practice. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, JUNE 10\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Secrets From Ourselves:\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n When we think of “secrets” we usually think of something we do or don’t share with others\, or what they do or don’t keep from us. Some of us like a feeling of transparency\, while some of us get a thrill from keeping little secrets. This usually involves conscious choice. The real secrets are the things we haven’t yet acknowledged to ourselves. The thing is\, if it’s secret for ourselves\, it’s secret from others too––we just don’t know it. We could say the self is like an iceberg\, with 90% below water! Compare this with a fully awakened being\, who has brought every dark corner of the psyche into the light of transcendence\, and has no secrets left. What is left\, then? Loving kindness\, compassion\, empathetic joy and equanimity. Plus bliss and wisdom. This online class shares how to get there from here.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, JUNE 17\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Why the “Secret” Teachings Are Secret\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tibetan Buddhism holds that teachings are “self-secret” in that we can only understand them when we are ready to do so. In spiritual communities we can be confused what integral theory refers to as states and stages. “States” are internal kinds of consciousness that come and go\, while “stages” represent levels of growth and development that have been hard-won\, integrated into our daily lives\, and are thus permanent. At more developed stages\, we can understand and integrate deeper\, previously “secret” teachings. How can we use our wholesome states as a resource to further develop our stages? And how can we have the discernment to perceive different stages so we can speak\, act and live most skillfully? This topic is central to Vajrayana teachings and can be mistakenly perceived as controversial; this class will help us develop the understanding\, serenity and competence needed to incorporate it into our practice.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n MON\, JUNE 24\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Western Tantra\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Sanskrit word “tantra” translates to “weaving” or “tapestry” in English. This begs the question: weave what? In this class we go off-road to expand the traditional perception of tantra to include archetypes from other traditions\, to show the unifying mind behind these creations. This connective energy is meant to lead one out of the struggles of clinging and attachment. In this class we share how non-clinging and greater freedom are the results. We’ll draw on creative visualization to access the intuitive wisdom of the right brain and increase right-left brain cohesion.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FRI\, JUNE 28 – sun\, June 30\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Flash Retreat provides practitioners with a valuable opportunity to integrate and seal the learnings from the Riding the Dragon online course\, in a format well suited for our contemporary lives. We encourage you to attend this weekend retreat at Clear Sky\, or together with you local sangha\, or if those not available to you\, in your home. Planet Dharma provides themes\, meditations and guidelines to support Flash Retreat participants in the Year of Pureland program (Diamond\, Ruby & Sapphire levels). \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nEach of the four weekly classes in this online course will be video streamed live at 7:30pm MST. The recording will be available for one week after each class. \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\nWe offer this course on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this is the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. We suggest a range between $120 and $500 for this four week course. \n \n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Course is the second of three Online Courses in 2019.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Pearl Without PriceStarts January 21\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riding the DragonStarts June 3\n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Crazy WisdomStarts Sept 9\n Details URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/riding-the-dragon-spiritual-awakening-in-modern-life/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20190121T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20190217T170000 DTSTAMP:20260629T051138Z CREATED:20180910T072948Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T051138Z UID:10000564-1548057600-1550422800@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:The Pearl without Price: Why Awaken? DESCRIPTION:The Pearl Without Price: Why Awaken?\n A Four Week Online Course | Starts January 21\, 2019\n   \n“Why awaken?” This may be the most important question a spiritual practitioner ever asks. This course provides context and direction on the journey to spiritual awakening. \n The CourseSchedule\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Pearl Without Price: Online Course\nThis course is for visionaries. For anyone who wants to live a good and happy life\, who cares about their community and dreams of a healthier and more harmonious planet. Drawing on over fifty years of experience\, discover how spiritual awakening in this lifetime is an accessible\, compelling and very sane aspiration – particularly in these times of uncertain change. Would you like to suffer less and benefit all beings? Join us and learn how. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Schedule\nStarts January 21\, 2019\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mon\, Jan 21\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Vision\n7:30pm MST\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n We must hold a complete or integrated view in order to manifest our best potential\, awaken more fully and benefit all beings. But what does that look like? Discover the fundamentals of cultivating emptiness\, spaciousness and no-self in our lives. And more to the point\, the many compelling reasons why we do this. This understanding and way of being is the most beautiful\, and requires the least effort. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mon\, Jan 28\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Spiritual Awakening in the Modern World\n7:30pm MST\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This spiritual path originated in monastic or hermetic life. Monks and nuns renounced busy day-to-day life in order to focus on awakening. Today\, the majority of us live alone\, while wired into media and internet rather than nature. Coming together to practice in community has become the modern spiritual challenge. But why does this shift matter and how is it relevant to your spiritual practice? Discover how integrating the traditional spiritual path with the modern world is imperative for healing rifts between nations\, races\, genders and in nature. This practice invariably helps us grow a resilient planetary vehicle for collective awakening. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mon\, Feb 4\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n If you want the Present You have to Open the Box\n7:30pm MST\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The ego spends most of its time and energy seeking self-interest\, self-protection and self-promotion. Yet no matter how grand we appear in our careers\, in the world and online\, we’re still locked in a self-imposed box. Media and consumerism exploit this fundamental ego insecurity by convincing us we need to fix\, improve\, and decorate our boxes. This exploitation makes our modern lives busy with inconsequential and energy-draining thoughts and activities. So\, what do we do with the box? How can get the present? Explore the priceless gifts of awakening – bliss\, wisdom\, and a sense of meaning and “coming home.”  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mon\, Feb 11\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Protecting Against Hurt is What Hurts\n7:30pm MST\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Life can be traumatic. It’s natural to protect against experiencing pain\, such as wearing a seatbelt in a car or guarding your heart with a new lover. Over time\, this defence accumulates into a kind of psychic fat suit that gets between us and a joyful\, meaningful life. What started as well-intentioned protection from heartbreak can often end in loneliness. When we learn to let go of the protection\, we start experiencing rewarding relationships––with our self and others––and a beautiful life worth living. Next we learn to let go of hurt itself\, releasing ourselves into a wonderful\, generative state of peace. In this class we share the nuts and bolts of how to do it. Say goodbye to loneliness and hello to a life that is more vibrant\, fascinating and blissful.     \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Feb 15-17\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Flash Retreat\nFriday-Sunday\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Flash Retreat provides practitioners with a valuable opportunity to integrate and seal the learnings from the Pearl without Price online course\, in a format well suited for our contemporary lives. We encourage you to attend this weekend retreat at Clear Sky\, or together with you local sangha\, or if those not available to you\, in your home. Planet Dharma provides themes\, meditations and guidelines to support Flash Retreat participants in the diamond and ruby levels.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Meet the Teachers\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Catherine Pawasarat\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat are Dharma and meditation teachers who founded Clear Sky Meditation Centre\, BC\, Canada. \nAchariya Doug Duncan received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978\, and is a lineage holder in that teaching. Known for his direct\, humourous and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces various traditions\, contemporary psychology\, and science\, to mentor all beings to a more awakened state. \nCatherine Pawasarat has trained daily with Acariya Doug Duncan since 1998 in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship that is rare in the modern West. She received lay ordination from Namgyal Rinpoche in 2003. In addition to Buddhist philosophy and its applications to daily life\, Catherine also draws on generative living and the arts. With Doug she is co-founder of Clear Sky Retreat Center in the BC Rockies.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Course Details\nTime and Location\nEach of the four weekly classes in this online course will be video streamed live at 7:30pm MST. The recording will be available for one week after each class. \nWhat Does the Course Cost?\nWe offer this course on the basis of dāna. You may have come across this is the form of “pay from the heart”. Dāna is a Sanskrit term meaning “generosity”. With dāna\, we give as a mutual exchange of generosity. It’s our joy to offer this course\, and we trust you’ll match our time\, energy\, and passion by giving an amount of money that feels good and healthy to both you and us. We suggest a range between $120 and $500 for this four week course. \n \n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This Course is the first of three Online Courses in 2019.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Pearl Without PriceStarts January 21\n Register Now\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Riding the DragonStarts June 3\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Crazy WisdomStarts Sept 9\n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug & Catherine’s teachings are a rallying cry for all those who want no-holds-barred\, honest guidance on the path of awakening.  I’m thoroughly inspired by the spiritual potential we all have\, and sobered by the challenges we face as a species and global consciousness.  The path they lay out makes it clear that the journey is worth taking. \n Cara Conroy-Low\n Acupuncturist\, Canada \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Doug and Catherine are always burning calories to get you back on a path that can lead toward greater self-awareness. When I am with these two very clear individuals\, I am humbled by their dedication to others\, and understand the every-waking-moment responsibility that comes with their calling. \n Peter Ujlaki\n Fine Art Dealer\, Japan \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n If you get a chance to study with Doug and Catherine\, don’t miss it. Through the power of long dedication\, deep meditation\, and wise guidance\, life can definitely be transformed. \n Paul Jaffe\n Retired Professor & Meditation Teacher\, New York URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/the-pearl-without-price-why-awaken/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/The-Pearl-Without-Price-tall.jpg END:VEVENT 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 \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/ 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/ 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/ 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/ 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/ 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/ 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/ 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/ 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/ 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/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Right-View-Banner.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20170101 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180101 DTSTAMP:20180830T163045Z CREATED:20160825T224736Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180830T163045Z UID:10000356-1483228800-1514764799@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Year of Victory Program for Spiritual Awakening in 2017 DESCRIPTION:Year of Victory 2017: Year Long Program for Spiritual Awakening\n\nWe look forward to sharing more teachings of spiritual awakening to support your practice in 2017. We’re calling 2017 the “Year of Victory\,” in honor of our illustrious teacher\, the late Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche. “Namgyal” means “victory\,” the victory of spiritual awakening\, claiming victory over our petty ego attachments in order to dedicate all our life energy to benefiting all beings. \nIn that sense Namgyal and the Year of Victory refer to the victory of the awakening mind and the victory of everyone and everything on the planet\, of the Earth itself.   We invite your applications join the program by December 20th\, 2016. \n  \nProgram Overview – The 2017 Challenge: Be Victorious\n \nOnce more we invite beings with a heart for spiritual awakening to make a firm commitment to your own spiritual unfoldment and to benefiting all beings\, by taking part in the Year of Victory teachings. \nTwo levels of support for your spiritual awakening\nIn 2017 we’ll be offering two different levels of support to your spiritual practice. We appreciate that modern practitioners have legitimate constrictions on their lives and schedules: work only provides a certain amount of vacation\, and you may have family and other obligations. \nWe also feel it’s worth acknowledging that our modern lives and their demands can become excuses to go on autopilot and accept external limitations\, rather than prioritizing doing the spiritual work we are called to do for our own spiritual unfoldment. \nBoth meeting you where you are\, and challenging you to grow\nIn offering these two levels for the Year of Victory\, we are both meeting you and challenging you. We are meeting you because we don’t want you to have to choose between\, for example\, your job and your spiritual path. And we’re challenging you to look at your limitations and ask yourself whether they are really limiting you\, or whether you are choosing your priorities. We challenge you to prioritize your own spiritual awakening to the greatest extent possible. \nWho our 2017 retreats & webinars are available to:\nBeings who are not enrolled in the Year of Victory may also attend the two-week retreats in January\, August and December\, as well as the webinar series.  Year of Victory participants will have increased access to the teachers and teachings. Details are below and the core offerings are as follows: \nYear of Victory\, a Program for Spiritual Awakening – Core Offerings:\n\nStarting 2017 with a meditation retreat\nWe launch the 2017 Year of Victory with a two-week retreat entitled Body\, Speech and Mind. We explore a diverse range of physical\, emotional\, intellectual and spiritually-based exercises and meditations\, all referencing back to the profound Foundations of Mindfulness practice. \nThis profound practice can heal you from head to toe\, inside and out\, particularly since it’s such an accessible practice: you can easily continue to do it at home on your own. The retreat takes advantage of meditation and reflection throughout\, indoors and also outside\, in Clear Sky’s peaceful\, spacious and beautiful mountain environment. The practices seal the retreat experience so that it is available to us when we return to our busy lives. \nVirtual study via webinars throughout 2017\nNext\, there will be three series of four webinars each over the course of the year\, each one drawing 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 the mind\, speech and body addressed in the year’s inaugural retreat. \nWhen the webinars occur and what they cover\nThe first webinar series starts in February\, focusing on view (panna). The second takes place in June and relates to livelihood\, part of sila. The third series of webinar teachings is offered September and will focus on effort\, part of samadhi. \nPut another way\, the nature of the mystical life corresponds to the view; career as a path to spiritual awakening relates to our speech (feelings); and healing the body corresponds to samadhi (calm and concentration). \nAt-home “Flash Retreats” to seal your spiritual learning\nEach of these sections consists of four consecutive Monday night teachings (12 in total)\, each ending with a weekend “Flash Retreat” undertaken at your home to seal and integrate the teachings with actual practice and experience. \nTwo more meditation retreats throughout 2017\nAt the start of the year we offer Body\, Speech & Mind Retreat. Next\, as part of this program we offer another two-week retreat on site at Clear Sky Retreat Center in August. “Awakening Through Action” focuses on spiritual awakening through career and creativity\, assisting in cleaning up big areas of your life in order to free up your energy for spiritual unfoldment. \nAs you’ll see below\, the final retreat offered as part of this year-long program will be at year-end (approximately Dec. 16-30\, TBD)\, based on the classical practices of the illustrious Six Yogas of Naropa. \nWatch the Video for January’s Body Speech & Mind Retreat:\n \n  \n\nYear of Victory Program Benefits & Commitment Levels \n \nLevel One Benefits and Commitments Include:\n\nA commitment to a regular\, engaged practice sustained over 2017. 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.\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. These help us apply and integrate the webinar teachings\, so that we connect with the experience in our beings\, and can 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 prctice of honoring your space and your cultivation of a stronger discipline.\nA minimum of one two-week retreat during the year. We encourage you to come to Clear Sky\, to take advantage of the blessed Buddha field that many beings’ practices have been cultivating in this extraordinary place\, embodying 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 Senseis (see the 2017 teaching schedule).\nA retreat interview with the teachers. One of the reasons this lineage emphasizes working with the teachers is that 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.\nJoin our regular Office Hours throughout the year\, generally twice monthly. Again\, this supports you in keeping your spiritual practice front and center throughout the year: no matter how distracting modern life and samsara may be\, this regular connection with awakening touchstones helps ensure that your spiritual awakening prevails.\n\n \nLevel Two Benefits and Commitments Include:\nThe following elements are the same as Level 1: \n\nA commitment to a regular\, engaged practice sustained over 2017. 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.\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. These help us apply and integrate the webinar teachings\, so that we connect with the experience in our beings\, and can 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 prctice of honoring your space and your cultivation of a stronger discipline.\n\nLevel 2 is for people who know it’s time to put a stake in the ground and orient the mandala of your life around your spiritual awakening as the center of it.  \n Level 2 also includes:\n\nA minimum of one short (5-10 days) retreat during the year. We encourage you to undertake this retreat at Clear Sky\, in order to spend more time with the teachers and career karma yogis. However\, if this is not possible\, you may choose from the other retreats Doug and Catherine lead in various international locations (see the 2017 teaching schedule).\nA minimum of one 2-week retreat at Clear Sky during the year. You may choose from the three retreats described below\, or do a personal retreat at Clear Sky in consultation with Doug and Catherine while they’re in residence to support your practice.\nA minimum of one retreat interview with the teachers during each retreat. Take full advantage of suggestions designed to speed up your spiritual awakening and make it more beneficial to all beings.\nSpecialised Year of Victory Office Hours: These are Office Hours sessions for Level 2 Year of Victory students only. There will be live\, 60-minute webinars once a week during each webinar series to provide a small-group opportunity to explore how these teachings are relevant in your life right now.\nWhen YoV Office Hours are not offered\, regular Office Hours support you twice monthly\, so that you can 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 touchstones helps ensure that your spiritual awakening prevails.\n\n\n  \n\nYear of Victory Program Residential Retreats & Virtual Study \nSpiritual Awakening via Residential Retreats at Clear Sky Center: \nEmpower yourself to be victorious over conditioned patterns\, ego-based preference mind and samsara! The nirvana of the spiritual awakening mind is your birthright. The benefits of participation in the Year of Victory are the fruits of your year-long commitment to an actively engaged practice with the teachers and the other YoV practitioners in retreats. \nThe value of meditation retreats for spiritual awakening\nWe are delighted to have the modern ability to support your and many other beings’ practices\, year-round\, through virtual teachings\, Skypes\, e-books\, websites and so on. However\, there is no question that the fastest\, most reliable way to awaken more fully is to spend as much time as possible in the presence of spiritual teachers and beings committed to ongoing spiritual awakening. To this end we encourage you to take advantage of as much retreat time at Clear Sky as you can. \n\nRetreat One (Jan 2017): Body\, Speech and Mind\n\n\nRetreat dates: Sat.\, Dec 31\, 2016 – Mon Jan 16\, 2017.  International retreatants are recommended to arrive on Fri Dec 30 to help overcome jet lag before retreat starts. The retreat will start with a bonfire on the night of Dec 31\, 2016. \n\nRetreat Two (Aug 2017): Awakening Through Action\n\n\nRetreat dates: Mon.\, Aug. 7\, 2017 – Sun. Aug. 20\, 2017. International retreatants are recommended to arrive one day prior to the scheduled retreat start date in order to help overcome jetlag before the retreat starts. \n\nRetreat Three (Dec 2017): The Six Yogas of Naropa\n\n\nRetreat dates: approx Dec 16\, 2017 – Jan 1\, 2018. International retreatants are recommended to arrive one day prior to the scheduled retreat start date in order to help overcome jetlag before the retreat starts. \n\n \nSpiritual Awakening via Virtual Study – Three Series of Webinars: \n\nWebinar Series One –  The Mystical Life: Right View\n\n\nFlash Retreat: Holistic Clearing Meditation\, Sat. & Sun.\, March 11–12 \nSeries 1 Dates: Mon.\, Feb. 13\, 20\, 27 and Mar. 6 \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. The easiest way up is often the smartest\, and therefore the most “beautiful.” “Beautiful” we mean in the sense of a finely trained athlete looking graceful and at ease as they perform difficult maneuvers. \nThe mystical life of spiritual awakening is the crown of human life and the heritage of all beings. \nWhat many traditions call “God” or some kind of supreme being does not choose us for the mystical life path\, since we are all called to it. The “choosing” part is about the decisions we make about how to use our life force. Once 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\, dreams are about what is hidden\, but the mystical life remains a beautiful mystery\, swelling in the unknown. \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. The word “right” (samma in Sanskrit) actually translates better as “complete” or “total.” \n\nWebinar Series Two – Spiritual Awakening Through Career And Creativity: Right Livelihood\n\n\nFlash Retreat: Body of Truth\, Sat. & Sun.\, July 1–2 \nSeries 2 Dates: Mon.\, June 5\, 12\, 19\, 26 \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. \n\nWebinar Series Three – Healing The Splits Within: Right Effort\n\n\nFlash Retreat: TBD\, Sat. & Sun.\, Sept. 30 & Oct. 1 \nSeries 3 Dates: Mon.\, Sept 4\, 11\, 18\, 25 \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. \n\n  \nWhat Last Year’s Spiritual Awakening Program Participants Have to Say \nAbout the 2016 Year of Awakening:\n \nThere is something about making a year’s commitment and ‘Dharma is a big rock\, and I’m putting it up front into my year’. So it makes the aspiration/commitment for dharma during the year more conscious and explicit\, and that in turn helped me be more consistent and go deeper over the year. I’m not sure I would have done all the long weekend retreats except that was part of YoA commitment\, and I found it very valuable to carve out this flash-retreat time.\n– Duncan C.\, Fortune 500 Executive \nThe biggest thing for me is connection\, through the online classes and shared meetings. That has made my practice feel stronger and more continuous\, whether it be practice on a cushion\, dharma focus during the day\, dharma-minded living or specific karma yoga tasks. Previously\, the dharma Zoe and the ‘other’ Zoe had been more split\, but now they feel like they are drawing into one person. I’m far happier to speak up when I have a question and take time when I need to over a task. I think I see more how what I do fits into a wider set of events and the repercussions that can have. I’m more willing to take responsibility and give direction. Retreat spaciousness has lasted far longer. My meditative focus feels stronger. I feel like I am seeing patterns and habits with more clarity and understanding. I have more patience towards myself and a desire to get things in order. Relationship-wise\, I’m understanding others more\, with more honesty from me. This YoA has been a really precious opportunity.\n– Zoe M.\, Professional Translator \nBeing a participant in the Year of Awakening course has supported me in two very important ways:  It helped me stay connected with what is important to me and it also helped me see that I am not alone.  I interacted with many other people around the world who are also struggling in their lives.  I was trying to find a place where I could rest.  I realized during this past year that its not about resting\, its about doing what will bring me more clarity more often.  In that clarity there is space.  And this space is more easeful than resting.  Being involved in this course has given me more clarity and the opportunity to keep putting awakening first in my day-to-day life\, and to be able to do that with others is priceless.\n– Maureen S.\, MSW\, RCSW\, Counsellor \nThe YofA has helped my commitment to the practice. I really see the difference in my attention to applying the teachings when the classes are taking place. I have found that the home retreats\, most times they have led me to deep revelations about myself.\nThe classes make me thirsty for more knowledge. I find that gradually I understand things at a deeper and deeper level. The weekly homework is also a good reminder to pay attention to what is going on.\nI think that the most striking difference that I have noticed this year is a sense of trust in the universe. More and more often I remember that each happening is an opportunity for learning. I also see myself being less judgemental and more curious towards my attitudes. Overall\, I see the teachings more and more present in my life and feel more motivation to do the work.\n– Irene A.\, Accounts Controller \n  \n\nAbout Teachers Doug Duncan & Catherine Pawasarat:\n\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. Click for their full bios: Year of Victory Teachers. \nWhat others say about them:\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\n\nWhat else do you need to know?\n\nDāna (Generosity Based Teaching)\n\nDoug & Catherine are teaching this year long program 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. \nIt’s an important part of your commitment to the Year of Victory to recognize you are also making a year long commitment to a healthy and conscious practice of dāna.   Before applying\, we encourage you to review if you are in a financially sustainable situation to support your exploration and dāna during the year. \n\n\n\nWe also invite you to explore more about how you can practice Dāna.  You will have an opportunity to offer Dāna when you register or by clicking the Dāna bowl image to the left. You can also practice generosity via the Dāna bowl available at Clear Sky at the opening January retreat\, and this is a powerful way to set your intention for the year.  As well\, there will be ongoing opportunities throughout the year to offer Dāna.  We encourage you to reflect how to use Dāna as a core practice for your Year of Victory to cultivate a heart of generosity and openness. \n\nProgram Registration Fees (For Course Costs)\n\nThere is a one time program fee to cover operating costs during the year.  Level 1: US$250 / Level 2: US$350. \nAt Planet Dharma we aim not to exclude anyone from access to the Dharma because of financial issues. If the course fee and other financial commitments in the year are out of your reach\, but you are determined to join\, please contact us to discuss alternative forms of exchange. \n\nRetreat Registration & Fees\n\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\nApplications\n\nWe invite your applications to participate in the Year of Victory\, 2017. Please apply early as  the program has limited places available.  Applications will be accepted until December 20\, 2016.\n \n \n\n  \n[tmls category=”86″ layout=”tmls_list” style=”style2″ image_size=”large_image” image_radius=”large_radius” text_font_family=”” text_font_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”15px” 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=”13px” order_by=”date” order=”ASC” number=”2″ border_style=”tmls_border tmls_dashed_border” border_color=”#DDDDDD” ratingstars=”enabled” ratingstarssize=”16px” ratingstarscolor=”#F47E00″ ]\nSign up here to be notified about any updates regarding this retreat and other Planet Dharma news. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/2017-year-of-victory-spiritual-awakening/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Year-of-Victory-Banner.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20161010 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20161101 DTSTAMP:20260430T112812Z CREATED:20160113T191323Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260430T112812Z UID:10000343-1476057600-1477958399@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Western Mysteries: Webinar Series DESCRIPTION:The Divine Mysteries are about self-knowledge. The most truly successful human beings (Mahatma Ghandi\, Mother Teresa\, Jesus Christ and the Buddha\, to name a few) knew themselves. Nothing has changed. To know yourself is wisdom\, and the mysteries are about knowing oneself. The Mysteries also help us to skillfully navigate the inevitable challenges of our day-to-day lives. \nJoin Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat for this fourth of four enlightening webinar series on fundamental teachings of awakening throughout 2016. This course focuses on the Western or Divine Mysteries and will be streamed in four classes over four weeks. \nThese webinars are open to all. For participants of the 2016 Year of Awakening program\, these webinars are also part of the program’s curriculum. \nWhat is covered in this course?\nPhoto: Quote Catalog \nThe Western Mysteries parallel wisdom traditions worldwide. They are similar in kind to Buddhism\, Hinduism\, Shamanism and Islam. In fact\, we could say that the world’s religions are all derivations of the Mysteries\, as they all come from the same archetypal roots of the universal human experience. \nIn the West these traditions went underground because of persecution from the early Roman church\, though they can still be found in histories of Christian subgroups like the Gnostics. Meanwhile\, in the East\, the mysteries were openly practiced\, and so remain an integral part of those religions. \nThe Western Mysteries embody a series of studies\, meditations and initiations that the student actively participates in as part of their spiritual development. Rooted in these ancient Mystery Traditions\, our approach to the Western Mysteries is also very much an interactive study\, dynamic and participatory. We’ve developed these even further with our contemporary practices of Karma Yoga and Dharma Training. \nWhile these classes’ webinar format constrains the interactive element\, we encourage participants to do deeper work in person at Clear Sky Retreat Center to benefit more fully from the embodied practices. For year-round practice and spiritual development\, Karma Yoga and Dharma Training are highly recommended. \nWebinar One: Universal Stages of Unfoldment\nThe Divine Mysteries follow a path of unfoldment that is the same in essence to all awakening traditions. The 14 steps or stages are universal\, one of the world’s original “how-tos”. \nIn the first week of the Western Mysteries webinars\, we outline the 14 steps\, and share an overview of some of the world’s greatest mystery traditions. \nWhile the steps are fairly simple\, the execution can be both joyful and treacherous. The sleeping ego doesn’t want to know\, but it also can’t rest. So this unrest\, this discontent\, drives us to wake up\, like sand in an oyster\, so that we may become the precious pearl we are meant to be. As the wise person said\, “Give up everything to seek the pearl without price.” \nThis webinar will be held live on October 10\, 2016 at 7:30pm MST. \nWebinar Two: The Tree of Life\nThe Cabbalistic tradition is one of the strongest Western Mystery traditions. We examine the work of the Cabbalist\, the four worlds of his or her development\, and how these four fit together to form what is known as “Jacob’s ladder.” \nWe introduce the Tree of Life from this paradigm\, and how the individual cards of the Tarot (both visual and psychodynamic symbols) interact with the different parts of the Tree of Life. \nThis webinar will be held live on October 17\, 2016 at 7:30pm MST. \nWebinar Three: Archetypes of the Tarot\nThe Tarot offers a powerful\, concise path of liberation drawing on universal life experiences to invite us into deeper understanding of the mystical life. As archetypes and meditations\, their symbolism is utterly transformative. This week we examine some of the cards\, their archetypal meanings\, and how some of their groupings may be catalytic for our spiritual transformation. \nThis webinar will be held live on October 24\, 2016 at 7:30pm MST. \nWebinar Four: The Hero’s Journey\n\nEvery person is the protagonist of their own heroic\, epic journey. This week we share the heart-wrenching trials and exhilarating adventures that befall us as we leave home to embark upon the challenges of the spiritual path. Accosted by “demons” and assisted by sages\, eventually we attain our holy grail: returning to one’s community with the precious gift of all that we have learned. We explore the 14 steps to liberation as seen through the lens of the Hero’s Journey. \nThis webinar will be held live on October 31\, 2016 at 7:30pm MST. \n\nCourse Teachers Doug Duncan & Catherine Pawasarat:\n\nCombined\, Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat have been practicing the teachings of 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 liberation that they share with others. \nTheir engaged compassion\, sense of humor and combined wisdom will enrich your life with exploration & discovery.  Click for their full bios: Western Mysteries Course Teachers. \nWhat others say about them:\n[tmls category=”65″ 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=”date” 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\nWhat else do you need to know?\n\nWebinar Dates & Availability\n\nThese webinars take place online via live streaming on Monday Oct 10\, 17\, 24 and 31 at 7:30pm MST. They will also be available to view online for one week after each broadcast. You must enroll the 1st webinar before October 10 in order to have access to registration for webinars 2\, 3 and 4. The links to register for sessions 2 – 4 will be included in confirmation emails when you register for this first session\, as well in reminder emails a week before each webinar. \n \n\nDāna (generosity)\n\nThe ancient tradition of Dāna (generosity) is an offering from the teachers 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.  While 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. Find out more about how you can practice Dāna.  We invite you to offer Dāna via the Eventbrite registration page when you register. \n\nRegistration Fee\n\nTo cover the costs of our online platforms\, software and registration\, this webinar series also has a $50 Registration Fee.  This is separate from the Dāna practice mentioned above. \n\nQuestion & Answer Sessions:\n\nAlong with the weekly Monday night classes there is a Saturday afternoon Question and Answer for those enrolled in the Year of Awakening Program. For those not in the program\, we offer semi-monthly “Office Hours” for questions related to the webinars and spiritual practice in general. These Office Hours are open to anyone\, and take place at 3:00pm MST on Sunday Oct 9 and Sunday Oct 23. Check your own time zone. \n\nCommunity Forum (Juice):\n\nAs part of this course we offer the valuable opportunity to participate\, share and interact on our online platform\, “Juice”.  You will receive information for how to access this forum when you register for the webinars. Its a great way to get feedback\, discuss your learning and explore the Western Mysteries even more deeply with others. \n  \n\n \nClick here to join the PlanetDharma email list and stay informed via your email inbox. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/western-mysteries-webinars-2016/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Western-Mysteries-Banner-Website-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20160627 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20160719 DTSTAMP:20230130T051322Z CREATED:20160113T185710Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230130T051322Z UID:10000342-1466985600-1468886399@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:The Four Levels of Tantra: Webinar Series DESCRIPTION:Join Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat for this third of four enlightening webinar series on fundamental teachings of buddhadharma and awakening throughout 2016.  This series is on the Four Levels of Tantra and will be streamed in four classes over four weeks.  These webinars are open to all.  For participants of the 2016 Year of Awakening program\, these webinars are also part of of the program’s curriculum. \nWhat is Tantra?\nPhoto: Wonderlane \nTantra is a weaving of a clear mind and a blissful heart. The image used to portray the metaphor of these dualities of consciousness is the dance of male/female in union. In this four week online seminar (once a week) we explore the four stages of the tantric path. They are action tantra\, relational tantra\, completing tantra and union tantra. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nWhat are the Four Levels of Tantra?\n\nIn Action Tantra\, traditionally the image of a ‘smile’ between male and female is used. A smile is an invitation and a connection. It is relatively low risk and decently far enough away to ensure time to assess if further dialogue is desired or possible. As a karma yoga practice it involve service and generosity in practice.\nRelational Tantra uses the metaphor of ‘holding hands’ as a symbol of closer communication and therefore deeper connection that just a smile. Here dialogue between teacher and student or between one’s actions and one’s psychology is deepened. At this level more honesty is required not only between the teacher and student but with one’s self as well.\nCompleting Tantra\, requires more vulnerability\, greater trust and deeper courage. The metaphor here would be ‘making out’\, to use colloquial language. Not everything in our ego is nice. The monsters of our shadows and the deeper part of our hurts\, our loneliness and betrayals\, will be unveiled. But\, also the strengthening of our hearts and minds occurs here.\nFinally\, in Union Tantra the illusion of separation between beings evaporates. One comes to realize that only loving kindness and compassion exist in the heart/mind of clarity. We are joyous and equanimous in this level of tantra. And as one might expect from the previous metaphoric images\, union is depicted as the surrender anticipated in sexual union.\n\nHow is Tantra Practiced as a Path?\nIn these four webinars we will study how these four levels of tantra apply to the various stages of the path. \nThe tantric traditions of vajrayana Buddhism (mostly originating in the Himalayas) use ‘deities’\, or archetypal energies of enlightenment as an important meditation practice.  The root for deity is ‘dev’ in Sanskrit and means ‘to shine’\, thus shining energy as opposed to a god-like entity. \nThere are two aspects to the meditative path. One path is insight and the other path is bliss. Tantra is the path of bliss\, and that is seen in the imaging/ deities used to portray it. In Karma Yoga we develop both the insight and bliss paths in our daily lives and in our work supporting the organizations to which we belong. \nSuggested Reading:  \nIntroduction to Tantra: A Vision of Totality\, By Lama Yeshe\, Compiled and Edited by Jonathan Landaw\, Wisdom Publications\, London: 1987. \n  \n\nWebinar Details:\n\nSchedule: Watch the webinars live on Mondays 7:30pm\, Mountain Standard Time (MST) – June 27\, July 4\, 11\, and 18 (see below for details).\n\n\nThe teachings are also recorded\, and available for one week after the live session. These classes are open and recordings are also available to all registrants.\n\n\nClick on the “Register Now” buttons below to attend the webinars. By registering for the first webinar\, you will also receive registration links for the subsequent three webinars.\n\n\nPlease note that Office Hours (Saturdays 3-4pm MST) noted below are for the Year of Awakening program participants only.\nIf you’re not a Year of Awakening program participant\, we encourage you to join us for PlanetDharma’s regular semi-monthly Office Hours\, with questions about the classes and/or your daily practice. It’s also an opportunity to connect with the teachers\, the community of practice (sangha)\, and the awakening mindstream. The Office Hours are truly a precious opportunity to solidify and deepen our understanding and practice.\n\n\nDāna\nThese webinars are offered by Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat on the basis of dāna\, or generosity practice. There will be an opportunity for you to give dāna when you register\, below. Learn more about dāna. \n  \n  \nRegister Now for the Series\n \nClick here to join the PlanetDharma email list and stay informed via your email inbox. \n  \nThe other segments being taught by Doug & Catherine in 2016 are: \n\nFebruary/March:  Theravadin Suttas\nApril/May: Mahayana sutras.\nOctober: Western Mysteries: Womb\, Karma & Transcendence. \n\n  URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/the-four-levels-of-tantra-webinar-series/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/4-Levels-of-Tantra-Banner-Website.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20160425 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20160524 DTSTAMP:20230214T193100Z CREATED:20160106T003925Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230214T193100Z UID:10000508-1461542400-1464047999@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Mahayana Sutras: Webinar Series DESCRIPTION:Join Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat for this second of four enlightening webinar series on fundamental teachings of buddhadharma and awakening throughout 2016.  This series is on the Mahayana Sutras and is streamed in four classes over four weeks.  These webinars are open to all.  For participants of the 2016 Year of Awakening program\, these webinars are also part of of the program’s curriculum. \n© Catherine Pawasarat \nIn the second quarter of 2016 (25 Apr – 22 May) we will examine some Mahayana sutras\, teachings that\, it’s said\, were received as termas centuries after the Buddha’s death. \nMahayana teachings build on the Theravadin “teachings of the elders\,” from a foundation of an individual’s awakening experience towards using that awakening to benefit all beings. Generally speaking Mahayana sutras are considerably longer and more complex than Hinyana suttas. Over these four webinars we’ll study two major\, classic sutras\, in order to get a feeling for  this later development of Buddhist philosophy and its salient features. Please see the details on specific sutras in the schedule below. \n© Catherine Pawasarat \nSome sources say that Mahayana sutras are teachings by the Buddha that were too advanced to be understood contemporaneously. Consequently they were hidden during his lifetime and revealed centuries later as termas. \nMahayana Buddhism exists primarily in China\, Korea and Japan. Since Doug Duncan lived in Japan for more than 10 years\, and Catherine for more than 20\, our teachings have been deeply influenced by Japanese culture\, and by extension\, Japan’s Mahayana Buddhism. \nLater in the year we’ll study the four levels of Vajrayana tantra and spiritual teachings from Western traditions. \nWe are pleased to share these teachings with all who are interested\, particularly in the context of this methodical approach to the different Buddhist vehicles and Western teachings that comprise our Path. \nPlease note that one of the benefits of the Year of Awakening program is priority for webinar participation. \n\nWebinar Details:\n\nSchedule: Mondays 7:30pm\, Mountain Standard Time (MST) – Apr 25\, May 2\, 9\, and 16 (see below for details).  Pre-reading begins Apr 18. There will be reading between each subsequent class.\n\n\nThe webinar teachings are recorded\, and available for one week after the live session. These classes are open and recordings are also available to all registrants.\n\n\nClick on the “Register Now” buttons below to attend the webinars. By registering for the first webinar\, you will also receive registration links for the subsequent three webinars.\n\n\nHomework for anyone attending teachings: read the sutta before the class\, and look up any terminology unfamiliar to you.\n\n\nPlease note that Office Hours (Saturdays 3-4pm MST) noted below are for the Year of Awakening program participants only.\n\n\nIf you’re not a Year of Awakening program participant\, we encourage you to join us for PlanetDharma’s regular semi-monthly Office Hours\, with questions about the suttas and/or your daily practice. It’s also an opportunity to connect with the teachers\, the community of practice (sangha)\, and the awakening mindstream. The Office Hours are truly a precious opportunity to solidify and deepen our understanding and practice.\n\n\nDāna\nThese webinars are offered by Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat on the basis of dāna\, or generosity practice.  There will be an opportunity for you to give dāna when you register\, below. Learn more about dāna. \n  \n  \nTranslation Details:\nIn these four webinars we will study the Diamond Sūtra\, and the Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra. \nFor the Diamond Sutra\, we highly recommend Namgyal Rinpoche’s book Suchness – The Diamond State Of Realization available from Bodhi Publishing.  The same translation of the Sutra is also available in the book The Diamond Sutra and The Sutra of Hui-Neng\, translated by A.F. Price and Wong Mou-lam\, published by Shambhala Classics. Both books contain the version of the Diamond Sutra that Doug Sensei studied with Namgyal Rinpoche\, and is available as a Kindle e-book\, paperback or hardcover. \nFor the Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra we recommend either or both these books: The Holy Teaching of Vimlakirti by Robert Thurman and/or the Vimlakirti Sutra by Burton Watson. \nPlease procure your copies well in advance\, as shipping may take some time. \nOther versions are available\, and please note that the translations vary widely. \n  \n\nSchedule: April 25 – May 16\n\nMon.\, Apr. 25: Mahayana Sutras Part One: The Diamond Sutra\n\nThis is the first webinar in this series on the Mahayana sutras\, mystical texts that were revealed in the Common Era. Join Doug and Catherine Sensei for a study of the Diamond Sutra\, a small book\, and also the very essence or core of the Maha-Prajnaparamita (Greater Perfection of Wisdom) of which it’s a part. The latter’s many volumes form the largest part of the scriptural canon of the Mahayana school of Buddhism. \nThe Diamond Sutra is written in the form of a dialogue about the bodhisattva path and enlightenment between the Buddha to Subhuti\, one of his senior students. It heavily influenced Chinese Chan and Japanese Zen schools of Buddhism. \nIts theme is the diamond state of realization. The diamond or thunderbolt cuts through delusional states of mind to reveal wisdom and ultimate truth. The sutra sheds light on major themes such as non-attachment\, non-self and emptiness. \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 \nImage: Vimalakirti\, by Hakuin Ekaku\, ink on paper\, 127 x 69.3 cm. Minneapolis Museum of Art \nor calculation – a perfection of merit unlimited and inconceivable.” – The Buddha (The Diamond Sutra\, Section XV\, The Incomparable Value of This Teaching)\nHow is that for motivation? \nStreamed live at 7:30pm MST. Pre-registration for each webinar is required\, please use the “Register Now” button below: \nPre-Reading assignment: Mon.\, Apr. 17 – Sun.\, Apr. 24: Read the first half of The Diamond Sutra. There will be reading between each subsequent class. \n[Office Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat.\, Apr. 30. This is a time for questions on the Diamond Sutra and related teachings.] \nMon\, May 2: Mahayana Sutras Part Two: The Diamond Sutra\n \nWe continue our study of the illusory nature of self\, the pursuit of non-attachment and emptiness as ultimate reality with the Diamond Sutra. \nStreamed live at 7:30pm MST. Pre-registration for each webinar is required\, please use the button below: \n[Office Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat.\, May 7\, and for other participants on Sun.\, May 8. This is a time for questions the Diamond Sutra and related teachings.] \n \nMon\, May 9: Mahayana Sutras Part Three: Vimlakirti-Nirdesa Sutra\n\nNext we’ll study the Vimalakirti-Nirdesa sutra. Dating to the 1st century AD\, the Vimalakirti Sutra presented radical notions that must have rocked the Buddhist world\, such as the possibility of awakening for all beings\, including the non-elite and women. It was written in the vernacular (vs. academic) language\, and so directed towards the average person\, another startling concept for the time. With the wealthy layman Vimalakirti\, miraculous feats illustrated profound Buddhist teachings\, all directed towards teaching about the ultimate nature of emptiness. \nStreamed live at 7:30pm MST. Pre-registration for each webinar is required\, please use the “Register Now” button below: \n[Office Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat.\, May 13\, This is a time for questions on the relevant sutra and related teachings.] \nMon\, May 16: Mahayana Sutras Part Four: Vimlakirti-Nirdesa\nWhat qualities and teachings in the the Vimalakirti-Nirdesa sutra put it in a different category from the Theravadin suttas? Why did Vimalakirti value the bodhisattva path above that of arahatship? What’s non-duality and why do we care? We continue our learning\, streamed live at 7:30pm MST. Pre-registration for each webinar is required.\n[Office Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat.\, May 21\, and for other participants on Sun.\, May 22\, both at 3-4pm Mountain Time. (click for time zone converter) This is a time for questions on the relevant sutra and related teachings.] \n  \n\n__________________________________________________________________________________ \nThe other segments being taught by Doug & Catherine in 2016 are: \n\nFebruary/March:  Theravadin Suttas\nJune/July: Teachings on tantra\nOctober: Western Mysteries: Womb\, Karma & Transcendence.\n\nClick here to join the PlanetDharma email list and stay informed via your email inbox. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/mahayana-series/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Mahayana-Sutta-Banner.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20160222T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20160222T210000 DTSTAMP:20180830T162644Z CREATED:20151125T011715Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180830T162644Z UID:10000502-1456169400-1456174800@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:The Theravadin Suttas: Webinar Series DESCRIPTION:Join Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat throughout 2016 for four enlightening webinar series on fundamental teachings of buddhadharma and awakening.  These webinars are open to all. \nIn the first quarter of 2016 (Feb 22 – March 26\, 2016) we will examine some classic Theravada suttas\, teachings by the Buddha that have been recited and passed down orally by traditional Buddhist practitioners since the Buddha’s lifetime. These are taken from the Majjhima Nikaya or Middle-Length Sayings\, also known as the Middle-Length Discourses\, teachings given by the Buddha. Subsequent webinars in 2016 include the Mahayana sutras in April/May\, teachings on tantra in June/July\, and on Western mysteries in October. For participants of the 2016 Year of Awakening program\, these webinars are also part of of the program’s curriculum.\n \n© Daniella Hartmann (flickr) \nTheravada (a.k.a. Hinayana) teachings are considered the teachings of the elders. Our purpose is to familiarize ourselves with a sampling of these fundamental discourses\, to learn about the unique offerings of the Theravadin tradition. \nMore to the point\, we’ll get a better sense of how these teachings have shaped our lineage’s diverse path. Our Canadian-born teacher\, Namgyal Rinpoche\, first trained as a Theravadan monk\, ordained Ananda Bodhi. He was trained for seven years by the Burmese insight master U Thila Wunta Sayadaw at his monastery in Yangon. Through this line our lineage can be traced from student to teacher\, back to the Buddha. \nLater in the year we’ll study Mahayana sutras\, Vajrayana tantras\, and spiritual teachings from Western traditions. Please see the Year of Awakening program webpage for an overview and schedule. \nWe are pleased to share these teachings with all who are interested\, particularly in the context of this methodical approach to the different Buddhist vehicles and Western teachings that comprise our Path. \nPlease note that one of the benefits of the Year of Awakening program is priority for webinar participation. \n\nWebinar Details:\n\nThis online course consists of four webinars\, presenting the suttas as a single body of work.\n\n\nSchedule: Mondays 7:30pm\, Mountain Standard Time (MST)- Feb 29\, March 7\, 14 and 21 (see below for details).  Pre-reading begins Feb 22. There will be reading between each subsequent class.\n\n\nThe webinar teachings are recorded\, and available for one week after the live session. These classes are open and recordings are also available to all registrants for the one week after the live webinar.\n\n\nAdvance registration is required: Click on the “Register Now” button below to sign up.\n\n\nThe US$50 course fee covers all four webinars\, and payment is due upon registration. Dāna practice is separate (please see details in the following section on dāna). Registration closes on February 29th at 7pm MT.\n\n\nHomework for anyone attending teachings: read the sutta before the class\, and look up any terminology unfamiliar to you.\n\n\nPlease note that Office Hours on Saturdays 3-4pm MT\, as noted below are for the Year of Awakening program participants only.\n\n\nIf you’re not a Year of Awakening program participant\, we encourage you to join us for Planet Dharma’s regular semi-monthly Office Hours on Sundays 3-4pm MT\, with questions about the suttas and/or your daily practice. It’s also an opportunity to connect with the teachers\, the community of practice (sangha)\, and the awakening mindstream. The Office Hours are truly a precious opportunity to solidify and deepen our understanding and practice of awakening in daily life.\n\n\nDāna\nThese webinars are offered by Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat on the basis of dāna\, or generosity practice.  Our ability to live a life full of generosity in all its myriad manifestations is a profound practice\, and central to our spiritual unfoldment. There will be an opportunity for you to give dāna when you register\, below. Learn more about dāna. \n\nTranslation Details:\nWe’ll be using the translation by I.B. Horner\, published by the Pali Text Society\, only available in hardcover editions (not available in an e-version nor as paperback). \nPlease procure your copy well in advance\, as shipping may take some time. \n\nA collection of all three volumes can be purchased via Amazon.\nSuttas 1\, 2 & 4 are in Volume 1\, available via Amazon in North America\, or from the Pali Text Society in the UK.\nSutta #137 is in Volume 3\, also available from Amazon in North America and at the same link from the Pali Text Society in the UK.\n\nOther versions are available\, and please note that the translations vary widely.  Please see a sample of the Horner translation below for comparison if you’re considering a different translation\, so you can understand how different they may be and make an informed decision. \n\nSchedule: Feb 29-Mar 21\n\nMon.\, Feb. 29: Theravada Suttas Part One: Synopsis of Fundamentals\n\nThis is the first webinar in this series on the Theravada suttas\, 2500 year old jewels of wisdom attributed to the historical Buddha.  Join Doug and Catherine Sensei for a study of the first sutta in the key Theravada Buddhist text\, the Majjhima Nikaya (Middle-Length Sayings).  This specific sutta #1\, is called the Discourse on the Synopsis of Fundamentals.   It focuses on how you can recognize appearances and phenomena as they really are.  Streamed live at 7:30pm MST.  Pre-registration is required. Please use the button below to sign up: \nPre-Reading assignment: Mon.\, Feb. 22 – Sun.\, Feb. 28: Read assigned sutta this week: #1\, Discourse on the Synopsis of Fundamentals. There will be reading between each subsequent class. \nOffice Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat.\, Mar. 5\, and for other participants on Sun.\, Mar 6\, both at 3-4pm Mountain Time (click for time zone converter).  This is a time for questions on sutta #1 and related teachings. \n \nMon\, Mar. 7: Theravada Suttas Part Two: On All the Cankers\n\nWondering how to wisely attend to the obstructions to freedom in your life?  Join Doug and Catherine Sensei for a study of the second sutta in the key Theravada Buddhist text\, the Majjhima Nikaya (Middle-Length Sayings).  This specific sutta #2\, is called the Discourse on All The Cankers.  Streamed live at 7:30pm MST. \nOffice Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat.\, Mar. 12\, and for other participants on Sun.\, Mar 20\, both at 3-4pm Mountain Time (click for time zone converter).  This is a time for questions on sutta #2 and related teachings. \n\nMon\, Mar. 14: Theravada Suttas Part Three: On Fear and Dread\n\nHow might one deal with fear and negative thinking?  Join Doug and Catherine Sensei for a study of the fourth sutta in the key Theravada Buddhist text\, the Majjhima Nikaya (Middle-Length Sayings).  This specific sutta #4\, is called the Discourse on Fear and Dread.  Streamed live at 7:30pm MST. \nOffice Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat.\, Mar. 19\, and for other participants on Sun.\, Mar 20\, both at 3-4pm Mountain Time (click for time zone converter). This is a time for questions on sutta #4 and related teachings. \n  \nMon\, Mar. 21: Theravada Suttas Part Four: The Six Sense Fields\n\nExplore the miracle of the six senses and discern between the struggles or freedom we associated with them. Join Doug and Catherine Sensei for a study of sutta #137 in the key Theravada Buddhist text\, the Majjhima Nikaya (Middle-Length Sayings).  This specific sutta #137\, is called the Discourse on the Analysis of the Sixfold (Sense-)Field.  Streamed live at 7:30pm MST. \nOffice Hours for Year of Awakening Participants will take place on Sat.\, Mar. 26\, and other participants are invited to join the next scheduled Office Hours on Sun.\, April 24th at 3-4pm Mountain Time (click for time zone converter).  This is a time for questions on sutta #137 and related teachings. \n \n\n \nSample Excerpt from I.B. Horner Translation\nMajjhima Nikaya (Middle-Length Sayings) sutta #1\, Discourse on the Synopsis of Fundamentals. \n \n  \n__________________________________________________________________________________ \nPlan ahead for the next sequence of webinars in April and May\, on Mahayana sutras. After that we’ll progress to teachings on tantra in June/July\, and on Western mysteries in October.\n \nClick here to join the PlanetDharma email list and stay informed via your email inbox. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/weekly-webinars-online-teachings-on-theravada-suttas/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/thailand-453393_1280-by-suc-pixabay.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20160101T080000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20160101T175900 DTSTAMP:20260708T055222Z CREATED:20150901T031434Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T055222Z UID:10000335-1451635200-1451671140@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:2016: A Year of Awakening DESCRIPTION:Announcing our first year-long program\, A Year of Awakening\, starting in January\, 2016.\nDo you feel your spiritual practice and your daily life don’t play well together? Are you swamped with so many options for spiritual teachings and practices that you don’t know what to choose? \nWe’ve designed this program for experienced practitioners who’d like to access more joy and freedom through a supported\, regular spiritual practice. We created this program to help you leverage your practice to triumph over the ups and downs of daily life. \nNote: Program starts January 1\, 2016. Registration is now closed.  \n*If you were unable to register or are new to these teachings\, you’re invited to weekly streaming teachings that take place throughout the year. See “What’s It Going to Take?” below for details.  \nWho Will Benefit From A Year of Awakening … and Why\nWe know that many of you have a regular spiritual practice and a strong aspiration. You probably also have a busy and complicated life\, that makes it challenging to balance these involvements. \nAs a committed spiritual practitioner\, we appreciate that you aspire to meditate and attend teachings and retreats regularly. You’re also committed to your career and your community\, and perhaps a personal relationship. The competition between these worthy commitments and decisions about where to allocate your time and money and energy can be a source of vexation and even stress. \nWhen trying to integrate dharma and our daily lives\, most people invest a lot of themselves into serious practice\, attend teachings and retreats\, and find ways to apply dharma in their life and work. They practice and undertake Karma Yoga together with their sangha. They might even try to be satisfied with the status quo in other parts of their lives\, such as work or family\, which may feel not entirely under our control. \nWe can undertake many years of practice and still fall into unawakened habitual patterns in our daily lives (also known as primitive views\, conflicting emotions\, and a conditioned pull to “just get by”). By staying in touch with the teachers and teachings year-round\, you get access to the ongoing clarity and truthfulness of the awakening mind\, and build habits to keep awakening front and center on a daily basis. \nAs dharma teachers and practitioners\, we aspire to exemplify what awakening looks like when we live it full time. In a sense\, this is the Big Picture of what life is about. \nWe aspire to offer a source and role models of loving kindness\, clarity and truthfulness\, and to demonstrate awakening in action. \nThen we can be a better resource\, offering more loving kindness\, more compassion and more wisdom to our sangha\, family\, friends and colleagues. \nAnd let’s talk about the benefits for you of this year-long course. \nThe more time spent with awakening beings\, the more we are awakening: this is what we call “the tuning fork principle.” This program is designed to tune up a community of practitioners\, so that you can in turn help tune other members of our sangha. We’re going to make beautiful music together. \nA year of consistent effort and application of dharma teachings and practice is sure to yield profound transformation: deeper realization\, greater bliss\, and fuller integration with our daily lives. Increased and ongoing focus on dharma is what inevitably leads us to fuller awakening. That’s something to be excited about. \nYou’ll enjoy stronger\, more “dharmic” relationships with the community of practitioners. This will provide you with support throughout the year and beyond. There’s good reason that Sangha – the community of practitioners – is one of the Triple Gems. \nWe’ll teach throughout the year on our emerging pillars of Dharma Training\, Karma Yoga and Dāna\, so you’ll be among the best informed regarding these teachings and practices\, so revolutionary for the West. \nAs always we’ll be integrating traditional Buddhist philosophy with modern findings in psychology\, science\, and organizational development. This will empower you to share dharma with your friends and colleagues\, in an accessible way that’s relevant to them as well as you. \nLastly\, the program has been carefully crafted with the typically full modern life in mind. The homework is chosen as a trim tab to get the maximum amount of leverage in your life and work and relationships\, with a minimum amount of time and energy. This is designed to be a highly sustainable spiritual practice. \n  \nThis Year-Long Program Offers Participants:\n\nAn in-person retreat to start the year: This serves to ground us\, provides regular and consistent contact with teachers (once more\, the “tuning fork principle”)\, provide powerful teachings and a supportive environment for solid practice. The theme is the Visuddhimagga (The Path of Purification)\, a profound 5th-century treatise of Theravadin doctrine by the monk Buddhaghosa\, describing how to cultivate purification of body\, emotions and mind. This sets the awakening tone for the rest of 2016.\n\n\nThe opportunity and support to develop a robust personal dāna practice. As dāna holds pride of place as the first parami\, and since its perfection results in the inevitable perfection of the other five parami\, a focus on strong and consistent dāna will provide an unshakable foundation for the rest of your spiritual practice. It will also ensure the success and sustainability of this program and the viability of future programs like it.\n\n\nQuarterly streamed classes: Benefit from regular contact with the teachers and other committed practitioners through the vehicle of fundamental teachings. Throughout the year streamed classes will be on select Majjhima Nikaya sutras\, Mahayana sutras\, the four levels of Tantra\, and Namgyal Rinpoche’s seminal work on Womb\, Karma and Transcendence. This diverse yet methodical approach to a range of classic to contemporary Buddhist philosophy offer a solid understanding of the teachings and practices embraced by our lineage. We encourage participants to attend live\, and in appreciation of time zone challenges we’ll also make the recordings available for the following week; by viewing within the week you can stay on schedule and be in sync with the teachers and community of practitioners\, the year-long sangha. Weekly office hours provide time for questions that arise during the week. See the calendar below for details.\n\n\nA light amount of home study – primarily reading of relevant texts – will help keep the thread of consistent dharma practice and reflection on dharmic tenets and principles going throughout your week. The readings are chosen to build a solid\, well-rounded foundation of knowledge of the spiritual practices undertaken in this lineage. To respect participants’ other commitments\, reading assignments will be modest.\n\n\nAt-home “flash” retreats. To support a deeper and more solid meditation practice throughout the year\, there will be three three-day retreats for you to do at home\, with virtual support from the teachers. These target the focused integration of deep practice with daily life. These will take place on long weekends (as observed by Canada and the US and some other countries – please check your own calendar): Fri – Sun\, Mar 25-27; Sat – Mon\, May 21-23; and Sat – Mon\, Sept 3-5. All dates and times given are in the Mountain time zone\, in which Clear Sky is located. See the attached calendar.\n\n\nTriple Gem Lifeline: To provide some powerful\, personalized support to your practice and ongoing spiritual unfolding\, this program offers regular\, intimate personal dialogue with the teachers and other committed practitioners\, through regular online classes and office hours. These will include teachings about how to apply dharma to daily life\, relevant to alleviating suffering\, others’ and one’s own. The modest cohort size was chosen to allow for personalized attention and also maximize personal connections between teachers and participants.\n\n\nA unique\, interactive\, Namgyal-style retreat to end the year. On the topic of Namgyal Rinpoche’s Womb\, Karma & Transcendence\, the year-end retreat offers the opportunity to do personalized work on the womb experience. This work is original to the Namgyal lineage stream and to our knowledge is a unique contribution to Buddhist philosophy and practice. People who’ve undertaken this work call it “life-changing.”\n\n  \nWhy Are Sensei & Cata Offering This Particular Program?\nOver the past several years we’ve seen that practitioners benefit from ongoing support to keep our dharma training vibrant\, and our practice alive and practically relevant in our day-to-day lives. We’ve also seen the need for support to keep local sanghas dynamic and growing. \nTo this end we crafted this year-long course with minimal homework and maximum support for your spiritual practice. The majority of it is online so that you can do it in the comfort of your own environment\, saving time and money and travel. The year-round schedule means that you don’t need to spend time and energy deciding what you are going to study and when – we do that for you. It’s also spread out over the year so that you can have support for your practice year-round\, while not demanding too much of your time at once. At the same time\, the course provides context for an ongoing spiritual involvement that makes it a central pillar of your life. \nWe see this year-long program as a transition to a more developed curriculum\, with clearer steps and stages and milestones. \nThe streaming classes in particular are designed to dovetail with activities you undertake with your local sangha. They can be viewed together as a weekly sangha class\, or your sangha gatherings may be used for group discussion regarding the streaming topics. Or\, depending on your personal and sangha spiritual goals and resources available\, the streamings may be an addition to your sangha gatherings. \n \nWhat We’re Covering When\n \n  \n\n \n*Check your local date and time.\n \nWhat’s It Going To Take? \n \n  \n\nHere’s the low-down on what you’ll need for the year-long program: \n\nIn-person attendance for a two-week retreat at Clear Sky\, Cranbrook\, BC\, Canada\, Jan. 1-17\, 2016\, on the Visuddhimagga\, and\nIn-person attendance for two-week retreat at Clear Sky\, Dec. 16-31\, 2016\, based on the exercises in Womb\, Karma & Transcendence\, by Namgyal Rinpoche.\n\n\nOngoing reading;\nOngoing engagement\, including:\nRegular access to high-speed internet access\n\n\nConsistent attendance of weekly streaming classes on Mondays (between 60 and 90 minutes each)\, or weekly viewing of the recording.\n\n-Feb 29  – Mar 21 Teachings on assigned Majjhima Nikaya suttas \n-Apr 25 – May 16 Teachings on assigned Mahayana sutras \n-Aug 8 – Aug 29 Teachings on the four levels of Tantra \n-Nov 7 – Nov 28 Teachings on The Womb\, Karma and Transcendence \n\nStreaming classes will be offered via an online webinar software like Fuze\, Google Hangouts or the equivalent. Connection details will be provided well in advance\, and we’ll make it as easy as possible for you. And please connect 10-15 minutes early to ensure your own minimal technical distress.\n\n\nWeekly online office hour on Saturdays to engage in questions and answers on the reading and teachings;\n-Mar 5 – Mar 26  Majjhima Nikaya suttas-Apr 30 – May 21 Mahayana sutras-Aug 13 – Sept 3 The four levels of Tantra-Nov 12 – Dec 3 The Womb\, Karma and Transcendence\nWeekly postings / discussions on an online platform such as Juice or an equivalent;\n\n\nThree-day\, at-home retreats:\n-Mar 25-27\, on the Brahma Viharas;-May 21-23\, on the Common Foundations (Four Thoughts That Turn The Mind);-Sept 3-5\, on on Chenrezig & Compassion.\nA one-time program fee of US$475 to cover program operating costs for the year. (This fee increases to $500 for payments made after Nov. 5th.) Please note that Clear Sky retreat costs are separate and not included. Click here to make this payment.\n\n\nA healthy year-round dāna practice.\n\n\nOngoing commitment to your own and others’ spiritual unfoldment\, including (aspiring) awakening in this lifetime.\nRegular personal meditation practice;\nAn open heart and open mind.\n\n \nAbout Your Teachers\nDoug Duncan is a Canadian-born Dharma teacher and counselor who has traveled\, studied and meditated for most of his life. He has taught and founded centers for awakening in Japan and Canada as well as being a visiting teacher in many other countries. Known for his direct and compassionate engagement with students\, Doug embraces the full spectrum of the various traditions he employs – in particular the different Buddhist vehicles\, psychology\, neuroscience\, Western mysteries – 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. \n  \n  \n  \n  \nCatherine Pawasarat has developed awakening for the alleviation of suffering for all beings by training daily with awakening master Doug Duncan Sensei since 1997.  She lived in Kyoto\, Japan for twenty years\, studying the traditional Japanese arts and working as an advocacy journalist\, interpreter/translator and editor specializing in sustainability. She spent a year studying shamanism in the Brasilian Amazon before beginning her intensive dharma apprenticeship with Doug Duncan Sensei in 1997. With Doug Sensei and other students\, Catherine helped found Dharma Japan and the Clear Sky Retreat Centre in Canada. In particular Catherine focuses on dharma training and how sustainability figures in the practices of awakening and vice versa. Her diverse and multi-disciplinary talents enable her to serve the Clear Sky board as their Chief Visionary Officer. \n  \n  \n  \n  URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/year-long-program/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/YofA-Banner.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20150829 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20151004 DTSTAMP:20260907T061508Z CREATED:20150122T073121Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260907T061508Z UID:10000329-1440806400-1443916799@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Online Course: The Paramis DESCRIPTION:The Perfections of Virtue\nGather online with teachers of awakening Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat for these 60-minute webinars\, one day a week for six weeks. We’ll strengthen our practice of the paramis\, often translated as “The Perfections of Virtue.” Earnest and ongoing cultivation of the qualities of the six paramis leads to our speedy awakening for the benefit of all beings.  Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat will be teaching this course online\, on Saturday afternoons (3-4 pm Mountain Time\, August 29th\, September 5th\, 12th\, 19th\, 26th\, October 3rd).  Sessions will be 60 minutes long. \n* NOTE: webinars must be attended live; no recordings will be available. Registration numbers are limited to 25 people; please confirm that you’re able to attend live before you register for this course.*  Determine your local time here. \nCost: This course is being offered on the basis of the progressive and precious practice of\ndāna (generosity)\, the first parami. Traditional teachings hold that\, while we practice all the paramis simultaneously\, they are perfected in order. \nCourse description\nThe Paramis are one of the most fundamental teachings on the path to awakening. These teachings are found in the Prajñapāramitā Sūtra\, the Lotus Sutra\, and other classic texts. They are consummately relevant to every practitioner\, for they are accessible to people of all spiritual backgrounds and may be practiced under a wide variety of conditions: in relationship\, while meditating\, while working\, etc.  Deceptively simple\, with ongoing application\, our understanding and practice of the Paramis matures and deepens to unimaginable profundity and richness. \nYour transport across the stormy waters\nPicture your suffering\, struggles and illnesses as a swollen\, fast-flowing river between you and the other shore\, where you’d like to be. How will you manage to traverse your suffering without being swept away by it? “Para” translates as “over” (as in “parapsychology”) and “mi” translates as “shore:” the paramis provide us with a raft of virtuous qualities that provide protection from the stormy waters of illusion and negativity\, and carry us to the other shore – a metaphor for awakening\, the state beyond suffering. The paramis are our lifeline on the path of spiritual unfoldment.\nBy embracing and developing the qualities described by the Paramis we empower ourselves to experience the mind of awakening\, also known as “Buddha wisdom.” This is what the Buddha called “no longer subject to suffering.” \nEnlist the help of guides who have been there and back\nIt’s always a good idea to seek assistance from someone who has made the journey before you. Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat have been teaching\, training\, studying and practicing the universal experience of awakening for 40 years between them. Let them be your guides in this exploration of the paramis. \n  \n  \nNeed to hear more?\nThen consider an alternate translation of the paramis that shows the potential of this exploration: “Para” may also be translated as “beyond\,” and “mi” is the root for “metta” or “loving-kindness.” Join us online for four gatherings\, to journey beyond loving-kindness. \nCourse Outcomes:\nAs a result of completing this course\, students will: \n\n\n\nreceive six hours of live online teachings related to a deeper and more comprehensive practice of the Paramis.\nreceive practical weekly exercises to facilitate deeper insights into the role of the Paramis in their life.\nhave the opportunity to ask questions during the webinars.\nhave the opportunity to grow their sangha and take greater advantage of this third of the Triple Gem by sharing their learning with other course participants in an online forum.\nAn understanding of the two variants on paramis\, the six-parami system and ten-parami system\ngain practical tools for use in everyday life related to the understanding and practice of:\n\n\n\n·   Dāna (generosity)\n·   Śīla  (coolness\, or ethics)\n·   Kṣānti  (patience)\n·   Vīrya (energy)\n·   Dhyāna (concentration)\n·   Prajñā (wisdom). \nStudent Expectations:\nAttend each weekly webinar.
 Arrive ten minutes early and use the time to do a breathing or grounding practice\, to prepare for new learning. 
Complete one assignment given during class each week.
 Report on your homework each week and participate in group discussion on Juice.\nThe weekly assignment\, reporting and group discussion are designed to be completed within one hour.\n * Registering for this course and failing to attend may affect future registrations.\n\n \nDāna\n \n \nLike all their teachings\, this course is an offering of generosity from the teachers to you and all beings. In order to generate merit and strengthen their capacity to alleviate ever more suffering\, we are always encouraged to cultivate our own robust practice of dāna (generosity)\, throughout this course and throughout our lifetimes. Traditional Buddhist teachings hold that\, when we perfect the practice of the first parami of dāna\, all of the other parami will naturally follow\, and also be perfected; in this sense dāna is the most important parami to practice. . Traditionally we offer dāna at the beginning of a course\, to commit to our intention to practice earnestly so that we may awaken speedily\, for the benefit of all beings. One of the wonderful mysteries of dana is that the giving never ceases\, and we become more skilled and discerning and joyful with our giving. \nTo give an offering of dāna: Click on the Alms Bowl.  There will also be an opportunity to give dāna when you register. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/online-course-the-paramis/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/WoodLilyInCata_crop-withcredit.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20150602 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20150603 DTSTAMP:20180830T162819Z CREATED:20150511T090016Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180830T162819Z UID:10000331-1433203200-1433289599@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Foundations of Buddhist Philosophy (Online) DESCRIPTION:Photo credit: Dietmar Temps \nA five-week online course\, streamed live and recorded.\nFive classes\, every Tuesday night in June at 7:30pm Mountain Time Zone:\nTues.\, 2 June\, 7:30 pm MT\nTues.\, 9 June\, 7:30 pm MT\nTues.\, 16 June\, 7:30 pm MT\nTues.\, 23 June\, 7:30 pm MT\nTues.\, 30 June\, 7:30 pm MT\n Use the Time Zone Converter to find out the date and time in your location. \nCourse Description:\nMuch of the mindfulness\, self-awareness and self-improvement courses that are available today are modern derivatives of ancient traditions and methods that could be called fundamentally Buddhist. These five streamed courses will give an overview of the foundations of the Buddhist teachings of liberation\, helping us better understand and make optimal use of contemporary interpretations. \nIn essence\, the Buddha taught two things: the nature of suffering\, and the cessation of suffering. Join us in examining the roots of his insights and the fruits (bliss)\, which has motivated and captivated seekers of liberation and greater self-knowledge for 2500 years. \nA limited number of registrants are invited to actively engage with these teachings online\, based on the progressive and precious practice of dāna. \n\n \n*Before registering\, you indicate that you have read and agree to the Student Expectations. \nCourse Outcomes\nAs a result of completing this course\, students will: \n✓ Receive 7.5 hours of live online teachings related to the foundations of Buddhist philosophy:\nThe Four Foundations of Mindfulness\nThe Four Ennobling Truths\nThe Four Ennobling Efforts\nThe Four Means of Accomplishment\nThe Four Defilements\nThe Five Aggregates\nThe Five Powers\nThe Six (and Ten) Paramis\nThe Seven Factors of Enlightenment\nThe Eight-Fold Ennobling Path\nThe Twelve Links of Dependent Origination\n✓  Learn about practical tools that we may use in everyday life to:\nUnderstand the root conditions of our struggle/s\nUnderstand the path to free ourselves from this struggle\nBring greater insight and compassion into our life\nAllow greater insight and bliss in our daily lives\nIncrease the degrees of freedom we enjoy in daily life\n✓ Have the opportunity to participate live\, ask the teachers questions\, and to generate merit by giving others the dāna of learning from your experience.\n✓ Enjoy small class sizes\, as limited number of registrants are invited to actively engage with these teachings online\, based on the progressive and precious practice of dāna.\n \n*By registering\, you indicate that you have read and agree to the Student Expectations. \n \nStudent Expectations\nPhoto credit: El-Patojo \nEngage mindfully with a dāna practice that is both generative and sustainable for you.\nAttend each weekly webinar live\, or watch the recording within one week (after which recordings will not be available).\nArrive ten minutes early and use the time to do a breathing or grounding practice\, to prepare for new learning.\nLeave one comment about an insight that arose for you during each weekly class on the YouTube interface page.\nComplete one assignment given during class each week\, and report on your homework and contribute to group discussions weekly on Planet Dharma’s online community (Juice).\nThe weekly assignment\, reporting and group discussion are designed to be completed within one hour. We recommend that you create an hour of space in your schedule each week to engage in this way\, on top of the webinar itself.\nNote: Registrations spaces are limited. Registering for this course and failing to attend or participate may affect future registrations.\n  \n  \n \n*By registering\, you indicate that you have read and agree to the Student Expectations. \n \nDāna\nDāna is the Sanskrit word for “generosity\,” and is at the heart of all spiritual practice and attainment. As the sun generously provides us with light and warmth\, and plants generously provide us with oxygen\, so the teachings of spiritual unfoldment sustain us throughout this and all lifetimes. There is no way to repay the sun\, the foliage or spiritual teachers for the life support provided; yet we do what we can so that others and future generations may benefit as we have. By providing whatever support we can for the teachers and the teachings\, we also generate merit and strengthen our capacity to support the flourishing of the teachings\, thereby generating more merit. Traditionally dāna is offered at the beginning of a course\, to demonstrate our commitment to earnest practice so that we may awaken speedily\, for the benefit of all beings. One of the wonderful mysteries of dāna is that the giving never ceases\, and we become more skilled and discerning and joyful with our giving. May all our efforts benefit all beings. \n \nTo give an offering of dāna: There will be an opportunity to give your dāna for the course as part of the registration process. \nWhat others say: Testimonials\n[tmls category=”28″ 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=”date” 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*By registering\, you indicate that you have read and agree to the Student Expectations \n________________________ \nMore information:\n\nAbout the teachers: More about Dharma Teachers Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat. \nJoin a retreat:  See our meditation retreat schedule. \nRead Doug Duncan’s book: Dharma If You Dare\, available as an e-book. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/foundations-of-buddhist-philosophy-online-course/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ladakh-Lamayuru-monastery-Dietmar-Temps.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20140601 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20150601 DTSTAMP:20170224T004805Z CREATED:20151004T014332Z LAST-MODIFIED:20170224T004805Z UID:10000336-1401580800-1433116799@www.planetdharma.com SUMMARY:Online Course: A Year of Dharmic Astrology DESCRIPTION:Catherine Pawasarat and Doug Duncan have designed a course on dharmic astrology to reflect the themes that unfold over the course of a year. This format has been chosen to mark the occasion of Doug Sensei’s year of integration\, from June 2014 until June 2015. \nWithin the period of each sign of the zodiac over the coming year\, new material will be released that explores the month’s sign. The course videos are released each month and are all available to you whenever you decide to register for the course. There is also a place to share and ask questions of the teachers and other participants throughout the course. \nIntroducing a Year of Dharmic Astrology\nhttps://youtu.be/I9xbFYmJlvg \nReady to join the course?\nRegister here: Course Registration. Note\, you can start the course at any time. All course material from each zodiac sign\, each month\, starting in April 2014\, will be available\, regardless of when you register during the year. \nIf you have already registered\, go to https://ruzuku.com and login with your e-mail and password. You may already be logged in if you are using the same computer and browser. \nDana\n“Dāna” (pron. dahna) is a Sanskrit and Pali word meaning “generosity” or “giving.” Offering material support enriches both giver and receiver. In addition to increased abundance in one’s material situation\, one leaves habitual states of mental poverty and steadily enters a world of emotional richness. By cultivating a healthy spirit of generosity\, we deepen our own practice and support teachers to make these healing tools available to all. When we practice Dana with an open heart\, everyone benefits. While your gift is not obligatory\, we encourage you to make whatever gift that is within your means. \nRead More: What is Dana? An Article by Catherine Pawasarat. \nTo give an offering of Dāna: Click on the Alms Bowl below. \n\n\n\n\nFor those in Japan: Japanese law does not allow paypal to receive donations. Please send contact your local Japan sangha. \nOther Opportunities for Awakening Guidance\nView our events schedule for upcoming in-person retreats & courses with Doug and Catherine. URL:https://www.planetdharma.com/event/online-dharmic-astrology/ CATEGORIES:Online Courses ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.planetdharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/YearofDharmicAstrology700x400.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR