March 5, 2022 - April 10, 2022 | 8:00AM-9:30AM IST (Morning)
Every Saturday and Sunday
Every Saturday and Sunday
‘CULTIVATING EMOTIONAL BALANCE’
A 6-week long Online Meditation and Study Program to build Awareness and Right Understanding of the Mind
BACKGROUND
"Our happiness or unhappiness comes from the way we perceive and interpret things, not from the things themselves."
-Excerpt from one of the teachings by Buddha
The humanity as a whole is going through challenging times. On one side we are struggling to deal with it externally, on the other we lack the skills and training to deal with the stress and the turbulence that accompanies it, in our own minds. Even if not for this pandemic, without our being aware of it, we have long been indulged in a habit of separating things and seeing them in isolation. And now it has become even more challenging to see things beyond the surface. And our inability to see things beyond surface has led us to so many emotional turbulences that we are witnessing these days within us and around us. Moreover, there are not many opportunities that can help us explore the connection between the two- mental turbulence and our habit of seeing things as solidly existing in isolation.
According to the Buddhist view, we are perceiving things through our senses in a way which is not in sync with the reality. It’s only if we could view the things and what happens in our lives, in the light of how the reality really is, that we can be free of disturbing emotions and the turbulence of the mind. And this way we have the potential to lead our lives in a more relaxed and harmonious way. Even though the reality is not waiting for it to be recognized, it's we who need to recognize it for our own benefit, well being and peace of mind.
As we know, it’s only with the light that we can throw the darkness away. Even though the light is always here, until we pay enough attention there, it doesn’t exist for us. If we keep our attention fixated at darkness, or we keep ourselves distracted by different engagements so that we don’t have to face the darkness, then there is no way out; it’s only when we open ourselves to the possibility of discovering the light that we can probably discover it. This programme is an effort to bring your attention to a process that can help you possibly discover the light that according to Buddha we already have within.
-Excerpt from one of the teachings by Buddha
The humanity as a whole is going through challenging times. On one side we are struggling to deal with it externally, on the other we lack the skills and training to deal with the stress and the turbulence that accompanies it, in our own minds. Even if not for this pandemic, without our being aware of it, we have long been indulged in a habit of separating things and seeing them in isolation. And now it has become even more challenging to see things beyond the surface. And our inability to see things beyond surface has led us to so many emotional turbulences that we are witnessing these days within us and around us. Moreover, there are not many opportunities that can help us explore the connection between the two- mental turbulence and our habit of seeing things as solidly existing in isolation.
According to the Buddhist view, we are perceiving things through our senses in a way which is not in sync with the reality. It’s only if we could view the things and what happens in our lives, in the light of how the reality really is, that we can be free of disturbing emotions and the turbulence of the mind. And this way we have the potential to lead our lives in a more relaxed and harmonious way. Even though the reality is not waiting for it to be recognized, it's we who need to recognize it for our own benefit, well being and peace of mind.
As we know, it’s only with the light that we can throw the darkness away. Even though the light is always here, until we pay enough attention there, it doesn’t exist for us. If we keep our attention fixated at darkness, or we keep ourselves distracted by different engagements so that we don’t have to face the darkness, then there is no way out; it’s only when we open ourselves to the possibility of discovering the light that we can probably discover it. This programme is an effort to bring your attention to a process that can help you possibly discover the light that according to Buddha we already have within.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
The program is a series of meditation-cum-contemplation sessions for working professionals. These sessions are very carefully designed by Divya Gupta, who lives in the Himalayas and practices under the guidance of Buddhist masters, so as to prepare the willing ones to not only become aware of their emotions, but also learn to transform them in their professional and personal lives. This series of month-long sessions comes with a unique blend of wisdom and compassion based teachings so as to enable the participants to develop a clear, aware, concentrated, contemplative, joyful and a balanced mind. Each one hour long session shall consist of 20 minutes of Shamatha (single-pointed) meditation, 15-20 minutes of talk on the topic for the day or an analytical meditation, and 15-20 minutes of Q and A.
The sessions includes topics such as mundane happiness vs genuine happiness, attachment vs. love, anger vs. depression, reality that we perceive vs. reality the way it is, what we know vs. what we do, fears, cultivating awareness, self- compassion, Judging oneself vs judging others- how it’s far from truth, and many more that have a significant importance to cultivate an emotional stability and balance even at the face of most challenging circumstances that life can throw at us.
The sessions includes topics such as mundane happiness vs genuine happiness, attachment vs. love, anger vs. depression, reality that we perceive vs. reality the way it is, what we know vs. what we do, fears, cultivating awareness, self- compassion, Judging oneself vs judging others- how it’s far from truth, and many more that have a significant importance to cultivate an emotional stability and balance even at the face of most challenging circumstances that life can throw at us.
METHODOLOGY
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The external influence that we receive through our 5 senses plus our sixth sense our mind.
An example of it would be ‘someone speaking negative words about you’, ear sense is at work here. |
The processing that keeps happening in our minds (mostly without our being aware of it). It includes the feeling, thoughts, intention. An example would be ‘why bad things happen to me’, thoughts are at work here.
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The expression that we give externally as well as internally as a result of the mental engagement processing.
An example would be speaking harsh words as a response, expression of anger is at work here. |
This program is designed mainly to focus on the MENTAL ENGAGEMENT that happens in our mind without our being aware of it. We would be understanding this framework to begin with as to how the input affects us in different ways that in turn affects the mental engagements and lastly leading to an unskilled response to a difficult situation that makes ourselves and others agitated or disturbed. Gradually we will move on to transforming this mental engagement in a way that is beneficial for yours and others well being while also trying to build an understanding to bring it in sync with reality as per the Buddhist view.
TIMELINE
March 5, 2022 - April 10, 2022 | 8:00AM-9:30AM IST (Morning)
A total of 12 (90 minute-long) sessions shall be offered every Saturday and Sunday.
A total of 12 (90 minute-long) sessions shall be offered every Saturday and Sunday.
FINANCES
The suggested range of contribution is Rs 8,300-13,500. The participants are encouraged to contribute as per their heart and financial situation. The ones who are capable of contributing on higher side are encouraged to do so, as we also wish to accommodate a few individuals who are not in a position to contribute financially.
The charges shall cover facilitation for the whole 6 weeks that would include 12 sessions and any personal one-on-one guidance given on need basis.
The charges shall cover facilitation for the whole 6 weeks that would include 12 sessions and any personal one-on-one guidance given on need basis.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
1. What is the target audience for this program?
This program is mainly designed for working professionals of all backgrounds.
2. Can college students join these sessions?
As mentioned, though these sessions are mainly designed for working professionals, we may consider the applications of college students if we find their life experiences relevant.
3. Can I skip some online sessions?
As mentioned before, the sessions are interconnected and are like a ladder to build a thorough understanding of the mind and cultivate an emotional balance. Hence, it is advisable for the participants to attend all 12 sessions.
4. Will the recordings of the sessions be available?
No, the recordings shall not be available for later review. Kindly be present and fully attentive during the sessions. However in exceptional circumstances, we can provide the audio recording on request.
5. Can I join the program in-between, say after a week from the beginning or so?
No. It is advisable to join these sessions from the beginning only. We organize this program on a quarterly basis. So, if you have missed the ongoing one, you can choose to join us for the next one.
6. How would I communicate with the program facilitator during the course of the program?
Though you shall be invited to ask your queries during the sessions, you shall also be able to communicate with the program facilitator, Divya Gupta, through a whatsapp group that shall be created as soon as we have all our participants on-board. This whatsapp group shall also be used to pass on any logistics related information to the participants.
7. What is the expected batch size for this program?
We prefer a batch size of 15-20 participants.
8. Is there any possibility of reaching out to the program facilitator for personal guidance?
Yes, based on your need and circumstances, you can opt to have direct one-on-one conversation with the program facilitator so as to discuss your personal life situation. This conversation shall be kept absolutely private and shall not be shared with other program participants.
This program is mainly designed for working professionals of all backgrounds.
2. Can college students join these sessions?
As mentioned, though these sessions are mainly designed for working professionals, we may consider the applications of college students if we find their life experiences relevant.
3. Can I skip some online sessions?
As mentioned before, the sessions are interconnected and are like a ladder to build a thorough understanding of the mind and cultivate an emotional balance. Hence, it is advisable for the participants to attend all 12 sessions.
4. Will the recordings of the sessions be available?
No, the recordings shall not be available for later review. Kindly be present and fully attentive during the sessions. However in exceptional circumstances, we can provide the audio recording on request.
5. Can I join the program in-between, say after a week from the beginning or so?
No. It is advisable to join these sessions from the beginning only. We organize this program on a quarterly basis. So, if you have missed the ongoing one, you can choose to join us for the next one.
6. How would I communicate with the program facilitator during the course of the program?
Though you shall be invited to ask your queries during the sessions, you shall also be able to communicate with the program facilitator, Divya Gupta, through a whatsapp group that shall be created as soon as we have all our participants on-board. This whatsapp group shall also be used to pass on any logistics related information to the participants.
7. What is the expected batch size for this program?
We prefer a batch size of 15-20 participants.
8. Is there any possibility of reaching out to the program facilitator for personal guidance?
Yes, based on your need and circumstances, you can opt to have direct one-on-one conversation with the program facilitator so as to discuss your personal life situation. This conversation shall be kept absolutely private and shall not be shared with other program participants.
For more information about the retreat, write to Ashish Kumar ([email protected]) or call him on +91 88948 93083