Consuming The World: An 8 Week Meditation Practice Journey

How do we use our meditation practice to help us consume the chaos of the world? How do we show up in our everyday lives amidst the apocalyptic nature of our time? How do we move forward as we witness inhumane violence, grapple with fear, and experience our own grief and exhaustion? How do we take the profound wisdom earned from our practice and use it directly in the world to alleviate harm and suffering? 

Join us to work through these questions and more as we continue on the journey we have started together.

More than just another online workshop, Consuming the World is a practice container designed specifically for you - those who have participated in previous Love and Rage or Lonesome Valley courses. You will be the first to study and practice with Lama Rod's unique translation of the Buddhist Lojong (Mind Training) teachings as well as practices from his upcoming book New Saints coming in 2023. 

This eight-week course will also explore the union of bliss and emptiness, known as Mahamudra, which is the essence of Buddhist Tantric meditation. According to Buddhism, wisdom is not something we acquire or develop — it is who we are, the true nature of mind. Lama Rod's practice of Mahamudra is concerned with making this wisdom the foundation of our work to achieve social and relative freedom.

The 7 Points of Mind Training (Lojong) is a classic Tibetan Buddhist teaching designed to help us awaken by offering a way to face the challenges of everyday life. It includes fifty-nine provocative slogans that emphasize meeting the situations of life with intelligence and compassion. Slogans include, for example, "Don't be swayed by external circumstances," "Be grateful to everyone," and "Always maintain only a joyful mind."

These teachings also offer a skillful way to develop wisdom and insight about where we may cause our own suffering, and the practices help us cultivate deep compassion for ourselves and all beings.

Lama Rod's fresh and contemporary interpretation of these classic teachings makes them directly relevant to the complexities and challenges we face right now.

Course Format:

• Participants will receive a weekly practice guide with suggested daily exercises to incorporate what resonates with you and at your own pace. 
• Daily course components will include Lama Rod's commentary on the Lojong slogans with prompts for contemplation, movement, and writing exercises.
• There will be weekly opportunities for group practice in the form of an online meditation hall where you can drop in for practice and group work.
• In addition to live guided practice sessions and Q&A with Lama Rod and special guest teachers, there will be regular support and encouragement from Lama Rod and the practice leaders.

FAQs

When are the live sessions?

We will be gathering on Wednesdays at 7pm ET for our group practice sessions. Saturdays at 1pm ET will be the live online Q&A sessions.

What if I can't attend the live sessions?

All live sessions will be recorded and posted on the course platform for you to watch later and at your own convienience.

Is there a refund policy? 

Full refunds are available prior to the start of the course on April 11th, 2022. Once the course has begun we are not able to issue refunds.

Is there financial assistance available?

Through the support of those who give at the Pay it Forward level, we have a limited amount of scholarships available. Email [email protected] if you are in need of financial assistance. If you are able to contribute to our ability to offer scholarships, your generosity by choosing the Pay it Forward supports our ability to offer more financial support. 

How long will the course materials be available once I register?

All course modules will be available indefinitely.

Other Questions?

For any other questions about this course, please contact [email protected]