Monday Talk: 7 Aug @ 7pm
Mindfulness to Buddhism
Worldwide, there is a great deal of interest in secular Mindfulness and Compassion, and they are increasingly the focus of psychological inquiry and neuroscience research. Many people benefit greatly from these trainings, and find that their heart becomes more open and their mind becomes more settled and stable.
Why then become a Buddhist, or look more deeply into the teachings of the Buddha? Is a secular path sufficient? This comes down to our basic view and life orientation. Are we mainly concerned with living our life more fully, or are we concerned with giving up self-concern and radically changing our view of what it means to be human.
During this talk, Choden will touch on some key Buddhist themes and practices, such as Renunciation, Taking Refuge, Buddha Nature and Bodhicitta, and how these transform the practice of secular Mindfulness and Compassion from a path of well-being to a path of gradual awakening.
The talk will include some meditation practice, with an opportunity for questions and discussion.
Donation for evening talk: R50 members, pensioners & students. R60 non members.
Package deal early bird - weekend & evening talk combo - paid upfront
R250 (members) R300 (non members)
About Choden
Choden (aka Sean Mc Govern) formally a monk for seven years within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Choden completed a three year, three month retreat in 1997 and has been a practicing Buddhist since 1985. He is originally from Cape Town where he trained as a lawyer and where he learned meditation under the guidance of Rob Nairn, an internationally renowned Buddhist teacher. He is now involved in developing secular mindfulness and compassion programmes drawing upon the wisdom and methods of the Buddhist tradition, as well as contemporary insights from psychology and neuroscience. He is an honorary fellow of the University of Aberdeen and teaches on their Postgraduate Programme in Mindfulness (MSc) that is the first of its kind to include compassion in its curriculum. He recently published a book with Paul Gilbert, entitled ‘Mindful Compassion’ that explores the interface between Buddhist and Evolutionary approaches to compassion training.