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The Joyous Science of Kindness and Wisdom
Buddhism claims that compassion is waiting to blossom in our depths, rising through and dissolving the delusions that cause suffering. “Kindness is compassion in action,” says Sharon Salzberg, an admired teacher of insight meditation. The Buddha was not the founder of a dogmatic religion but an explorer of the human interior. He urged his followers to understand the human mind, which in its true nature is present, aware and interconnected with all other beings. From this state, love and compassion arise naturally. This is why Tibetan Buddhism scholar Robert Thurman calls Buddhism “a joyous science of the heart.” To know your mind is to begin to change your mind. To change your actions is to begin to transform the world. On Friday evening, come sit with Sharon Salzberg and Robert Thurman and probe the foundations of Buddhism. On Saturday, Robert and Sharon will draw from Buddhist traditions and from their personal experiences to help us awaken from the daily trance of fear and anxiety. Through meditation and discussions, we will learn specific techniques to practice speech that is truthful and loving, unveil inner wisdom and cultivate lovingkindness. Please note: The Friday night lecture is available as a single event or as a prerequisite to the Saturday workshop. We encourage you to register early as the workshop will likely fill to capacity. Lunch is included in the overall price and will feature both vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare. The workshop will be held at a quiet location off-site. SHARON SALZBERG is co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Mass., and has been studying meditation since 1971. She is a regular teacher at Sacred Circles: A Celebration of Women’s Spirituality here at the Cathedral. ROBERT THURMAN is Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University. Thurman works to preserve and promote Tibetan culture and is author of numerous books, including Circling the Sacred Mountain, Wisdom andCompassion: The Sacred Art of Tibet, and Infinite Life: Seven Virtues for Living Well. This program is co-sponsored by the Cathedral College of Washington National Cathedral and the Insight Meditation Community of Washington. More information about IMCW can be found at www.imcw.org.
For information please call (202) 537-2221 or e-mail programs@cathedral.org.
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