calendar-details - Shambhala Online

Date: Sunday, April 19, 2020
Sunday, May 31, 2020

Teachers : Susan Chapman & Acharya Fleet Maull

Price per person: $149

Patron Price: $199

Price for Centers: $399

Price for Groups: $299

Foundations for Freedom: The Hinayana

Course I - The First Noble Truth: Meeting Suffering with Maitri

April 19 - May 31 with Acharya Susan Chapman
and Acharya Fleet Maull

This is the first in a series of five courses exploring the profundity of the Hinayana teachings of the Buddha. You will find an overview of the complete five-part series here. (NOTE: Registration for the five-part series offers a substantial "package" discount. See Registration Options below.)

In this first course, entitled The First Noble Truth: Meeting Suffering with Maitri, Acharya Susan Chapman and Acharya Fleet Maull will guide an exploration of the nature of suffering from the perspective of the Four Marks of Existence--Impermanence (anicca), Suffering (dukkha), Selflessness (anatta) and Nirvana/Peace (nibbana)--and how we can meet suffering with maitri (unconditional friendliness). They will also guide students in the exploration and practice of Mindfulness of Body, the first of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.

The suffering of samsaric existence is the blameless first noble truth. Such suffering is changing and impermanent, and arises from infinite causes and conditions. It feels intensely personal (mine), and, in fact, is one of the bases we use to craft our identity (me and my problems), which is called “mistaking what has no self for a self”. This desynchronized state generates constant underlying fear and anxiety. When we recognize the reality of our existence as it truly is (impermanent, suffering, not mine, and without self-entity), we can experience the peace of nirvana.

Course I Overview

April 19 - May 31 with Acharyas Susan Chapman and Fleet Maull

Class 1 (live session April 19): Introduction to the First Noble Truth and Mindfulness of Body at the following times: 10:00am Pacific / 11:00am Mountain / 12:00pm Central / 1:00pm Eastern / 2:00pm Atlantic / 18:00 UK / 19:00 Central Europe

Class 2: The Four Marks of Existence: Impermanence (annica) - Pre-recorded

Class 3: The Four Marks of Existence: Suffering (dukkha) - Pre-recorded

Class 4: The Four Marks of Existence: Egolessness (anata) - Pre-recorded

Class 5: The Four Marks of Existence: Peace (nibana) Pre-recorded

Class 6: Discussion on Zoom with both teachers (Live session May 31)

NOTE: Live sessions will be recorded and available within the course.

Click here to access the reading list for the course.

Suggested readings will use the following texts: (Those marked with an asterisk would be most useful to acquire.)

* The Path of Individual Liberation (The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma, Volume One), by Chögyam Trungpa

* Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, by Chögyam Trungpa

The Heart of the Buddha, by Chögyam Trungpa

The Myth of Freedom, by Chögyam Trungpa

Ruling Your World, by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

About the Teachers for Course I

Acharya Susan Chapman joined Shambhala in 1974. In addition to practicing and studying the dharma, she received an MA degree in Contemplative Psychology at Naropa in 1983. She moved from Boulder to Juneau in 1988, where she started the Shambhala Centre there. Later, with her husband Jerry, she spent nine years at Gampo Abbey, completing the three year retreat and spending six years as the druppon, or leader, for the three year retreat program. She now lives in the Vancouver, BC, area and teaches extensively as an acharya and as faculty for Karuna Training. She is the author of The Five Keys To Mindful Communication.

Acharya Fleet Maull, PhD has been a Shambhala practitioner for more than 40 years and was named an acharya in 2009. He leads Shambhala programs and retreats throughout North America, Europe and Latin America. Fleet is also a Roshi (senior lineage teacher) in the Zen Peacemaker and Soto Zen lineages. He is a consultant, executive coach, an internationally renowned social activist and founder of numerous engaged organizations including Prison Mindfulness Institute, Engaged Mindfulness Institute, Center for Mindfulness in Public Safety and the National Prison Hospice Association. He is the author of Dharma in Hell, The Prison Writings of Fleet Maull and Radical Responsibility: How to Move Beyond Blame, Fearlessly Live Your Highest Purpose and Become an Unstoppable Force for Good.

Registration Options (Register at the bottom of this page for Course 1 only)

Individuals: $149.

Five-course package discount→ $399 (Save $346!) Register here.

Patrons: $199.

Five-course package discount→$449 (Save $546!) Register here.

Centers: $399.

Five-course package discount→ $999 (Save $996!) Register here.

Groups: $299.

Five-course package discount→ $799 (Save $696!) Register here.

NOTE: For Centers and Groups, please register with your Shambhala account, or create one following instructions at this link.

Generosity Policy. We want to make the teachings available to all and will work with you to ensure your participation. Log in and click on the Request a Discount link below before registering to receive a coupon code to use at checkout. For a further discount or scholarship, write to r[email protected].

Click here for our Refund Policy.

Questions? Write to [email protected].

PLEASE NOTE: Prices are in US Dollars . Request a discount before you register to allow for exchange rates or other discounts.