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HEALING THE HEART
Newsletter: Bumper end of year issue Editor - David Brazier
number 182 - 27th December 2023 - Full Moon
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All times in this Newsletter are Rome time zone
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In the country NEW YEAR, NEW RESOLUTION - TIME TO TRAIN IN BUDDHIST PSYCHOLOGY Scroll down for details
Sundays 10:00 SUNDAY PUJA ON NEW YEAR'S EVE
Dharmavidya, Liz & Sujatin are now holding a short service on Sunday mornings at 10:00. If you would like to join this group, please come along to a meeting. This is a good way to practise together. There are two zoom links given below as travel arrangements over the festive season may cause some difficulties. When the first does not work, try the second. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84734198325?pwd=eDU5Z0dBUmVuVmFyZktab3dIeHNmQT09Meeting ID: 847 3419 8325 -:- Passcode: 536609 Mondays 09:15
QI GONG WITH ANGELA
Angela is offering Qi Gong on Mondays at 9.15 am Rome time.. If you are interested, please contact her via Jisshas < jisshas@googlegroups.com>
Comment by an attender: "I just want to say thank you for the lovely and warm welcoming to your morning Qi Gong experience. I feel very grateful for it. A new way to start the week." THE STATE OF THE WORLD AT THE START OF 2024
DB: We all, of course, hope for good things in the year to come, but I think that most will agree that the state of the world is currently on the slide. One surely has to start from the fact that we face a serious ecological problem. All the time it is creeping up on us. We all see the signs. We read about extreme weather events and natural disasters, the fires, floods, desertification, droughts, melting ice, rising sea levels, loss of biodiversity, storms, pollution, extinctions and so on. One would think that faced with such a challenge people would pull together, cooperate and act decisively, but we all know that this is not happening - at least not to a degree likely to be effective. There are innumerable good projects, but they are too little in the face of the scale of the problem.
So what is happening. Well, again, I am not saying anything that is not obvious to everybody in pointing out that the world is currently becoming more and more divided and bogged down in conflict. Rather than uniting, we are dividing. At the end of the twentieth century some people were talking about "the end of history". The fall of the iron curtain had left Russia weak, humiliated and dismembered. Most countries welcomed the end of the Cold War and they reduced military spending. There was a sense of hope around. At that juncture the USA took advantage of the situation, increased its military spending and positioned itself as the sole super-power. Were we at the beginning of the "American Century"?
We all know that things have shifted a bit since then. In particular we have seen the rise of China which looks likely to continue. Most commentators think that China poses the biggest challenge to US domination. Responding to this, the USA has tried hard to encircle China in the same way as it used to encircle Russia, but China keeps growing and increasing its military strength. It is nowhere near equal to the USA yet, but the gap narrows. In the first decade of this century we thought that this process would continue, but that it would be a long time before China caught up. Since then, however, two big developments have tipped the scales a bit faster than we were expecting.
Firstly, Ukraine. The USA since Clinton has kept pushing NATO's eastward expansion. Russia protested endlessly, but the West was so used to the idea that Russia was now a spent force that nobody listened. However, under Putin, Russia has regrouped and got back onto its feet. The breaking point came when it was proposed that Ukraine become part of NATO & of the EU. Russia could not stand by and let this happen. War broke out and continues. Initially the Ukrainians, with American backing, did much better than anybody expected, but the Russians have learnt how to fight this kind of war and the tables are turning. The war will probably go on for several more years and Ukraine will be devastated. The most significant effect, however, has been that it has driven Russia into an alliance with China. In terms of the primary world conflict this strengthens the Chinese side considerably.
Secondly, Gaza. The USA, already committed to major expenditure to shore up Ukraine, is now suddenly also committed to another major conflict. How long will this one go on for? How much American resources will it drain away? There is plenty of reason to think that this conflict is not going to be over in a few weeks as was originally thought. Not only that, but the ferocity of the Israeli response is causing much disquiet all around the globe. This is costing America a lot in lost goodwill. In the Global South (what we used to call The third World), sympathy is largely with the Palestinians. This is all very good news to China which has been courting support in those non-aligned countries for some time.
America remains the supreme power for the moment. Its main allies, or, perhaps we should say, its seven major protectorates - Britain, Europe, Israel, Japan, S Korea, Taiwan, & Australia - hold fast, and that makes a very powerful block. However, in the rest of the world it has lost ground. We are not quite into a second Cold War yet, but the two sides are approaching parity faster than anybody expected.
All of this, of course, severely handicaps efforts to tackle the real problem which is ecological. We fight among ourselves while our house is burning down.
Now if much of this is obvious to any intelligent observer, one has to ask if there are deeper less obvious factors at work. Why, for instance, would the USA push Russia into an alliance with its main opponent? We are now into the realm of speculation, but to understand this, I think we have to look at the foundations of American power. If we look at those seven countries that are the mainstay of the American alliance, two things stand out.
The first is that militarily, none of them pull their weight, and this is especially true of Europe. The deal is that they stay on-side as long as the US pays for their protection. This is very costly to the US and a good deal for the Europeans who can spend their money on citizen benefits rather than defence. At the end of World war II this all made good sense because the USA was rich and the rest of the world was devastated, but now living standards in all seven areas are at least at parity and mostly quite a bit superior to what most Americans are experiencing. Life expectancy in all of them is higher than in the USA. How long can America afford this? This is a dilemma that particularly exercised President Trump and whether he returns to power or not, clearly he does respresent a substantial slice of American opinion.
The second thing is that these six are all sophisticated technological societies that, if they did rearm, would each be formidable powers. Is it possible that the real reason for the Ukraine war has to do with the desire of the USA to avoid any alliance between Europe and Russia? Europe, especially Germany, was building closer ties to Russia. Geographically an alliance between European technology and consumerism on the one hand and Russian resources, especially energy, minerals and agriculture, would make a lot of sense. Such an alliance would put America in the shade. It would topple American dominance much faster than anything China can do. Although having Russia ally with China is to American disadvantage, from Washington it could well be seen as less disadvantageous than an alliance between Russia and Europe. The latter would be the end of NATO. To stay on top, America has to keep Europe and Russia apart and antagonistic to one another. Of course, nobody would ever say this in public. In a democracy, you have to keep the people in the dark about the real power plays.
In similar fashion, America has to keep the Middle East divided. The Moslem world, if united, would also be a formidable force, but as long as Saudi, Egypt, Iran & Turkey remain in balance neutralising each other, America can exploit the oil resources and make sure that no other power intrudes too strongly. Israeli action in Gaza has, however, gone some way toward bringing the Islamic powers together. How far will this go? Also, Russia does, of course, have a foothold in Syria and one wonders if the present troubles will give further openings to Russia or China in that region now that the US is shown to be wholly on the side of an anti-Arab force.
So, broadly speaking, American hegemony depends upon a policy of divide and rule, but some divisions thrust other partners together, so the "game" is a complex one full of pitfalls and it seems to have an inherent tendency to move toward a bi-polar tension. At present things seem to be moving toward a situation where there will roughly be a kind of parity between the pro-American and anti-American alliances and this is a recipe for, on the one hand, the kind of stalemate that militates against any effective action on the really important ecological issues and, on the other, for a ceaseless series of proxy wars that consume and destroy resources that should be being used to combat the greater threat. The chess pieces are always moving and we should not under-estimate the current twofold danger from grueling wars of attrition and from ecological degradation. There are difficult times ahead. In such times, faith & practice become ever more vital. We learn Buddhist psychology and generally think in terms of the individual, but the same processes play out on the larger scale. In samsara, the typical responses to affliction tend only to cause more affliction. Currently we are seeing it on a global scale. What is the alternative? Nirodha - restraint, understanding, compassion, wise cooperation. Such is the way of Dharma, both for the single person, the family, the community and for nations. Yet we are tied to the wheel. Let us pray that the new year bring a change for the better.
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On the roof Time to train in Buddhist Psychology Enrolment for 2024 now open “DIPLOMA IN BUDDHIST PSYCHOLOGY” A FOUR & A HALF SEMESTER PROGRAMME Course leader: Dr David Brazier Tutors: Dr Iris Dotan Katz (Israel), Dr Yaya de Andrade (Canada, Brazil), Kimiko Nita (Japan), Nati Menendez (Spain)
This training is offered by an independent consortium of scholar-practitioners. It is a unique and in many cases life changing learning experience working with a highly talented team, to develop skills and knowledge and to contribute to the on-going development of applied Buddhist psychology.
Theme: Buddhist Psychology has been developing over the past 2500 years. This unusual independent program presents this wisdom in a form accessible to modern people. The program based primarily upon the work of Dr. Brazier, has been developing over three decades and has been run in Korean, Spanish and English, It is continuously revised and updated in the light of changing circumstances (covid, zoom, etc.), student experience, and new research and studies. The 2024 intake will be the third run of the current iteration of the course and students will have some interaction with those who are one or two years ahead of them. The programme presents Buddhist teachings as a psychological medium. This is not a course on using Buddhist techniques to assist Western style therapy, but rather an in-depth examination of Buddhist wisdom applied as psychology: the spiritual path from a psychological point of view and psychological work from a spiritual perspective. It imparts important, liberating, interpersonal skills, personal insight and develops Buddhist compassion. Format: Study Material: theoretical and stimulus material, mostly text, but also including audio and video items, is presented on dedicated web pages with associated experiential exercises for students to perform and report back on. Co-operative Learning - students see and comment on each other's work. Seminars by zoom every two or three weeks led by staff with time for student inter-action. Individual Tutorials. Peer Learning Groups. A vitally important part of the course. On-line Weekend Workshops three times per year (January, June & October) with lectures, case presentation, experiential groupwork and topic discussions. Summer School: A one week optional in-person summer school is offered in August in France
The course is divided into six week units called "Classrooms". Spring Semesters (February-July) contain four "Classrooms". Autumn Semesters (September-January) have three Classrooms. Each Classroom contains three topics for study. There are 16 "Classrooms" altogether. Content: The study materials introduce the major Buddhist teachings common to most schools of Buddhism presented as psychology, showing their applications in personal practice, interpersonal work, psychotherapy and society. The material is quite extensive and requires a minimum of three hours per week. There are no grades, but there are deadlines.
Suitable for: This is a programme for therapists who want to deepen their understanding of the Buddhist perspective, for Buddhist practitioners wishing to learn a therapeutic and inter-personal way of applying the Buddhist teachings, and for all wishing to deepen their insight into their own lives and relationships with others. Time Zones: Students come from many countries and zones. Seminars are generally repeated morning and evening European time so as to provide options. Pre-Entry: The next start date will be 1st February, 1st May or 1st September 2024, depending on the number of applicants who apply before the end of this year. Students who book now may start to attend seminars straight away, but will not receive course materials until the start date. Staff: Dr David Brazier, psychotherapist and Buddhist teacher, author of sixteen books including Zen Therapy and many other writings. Co-editor of the Oxford Manual of Meditation. English, living in France. Dr. Iris Dotan Katz, clinical psychologist with a private practice in Tel Aviv has many years of experience in Zen and Pureland Buddhism and in socially engaged action and peacemaking. Dr. Yaya de Andrade, a Canadian retired psychologist, originally from Brazil, lived and worked in Vancouver for more than 40 years. She has special interest working with refugees, indigenous peoples, and other groups recovering from traumatic circumstances, wars and major disasters around the world. She currently lives near Toronto.Kimiko Nita, clinical psychologist, specialises in work with children and young adults, has a private practice for adult clients in Tokyo, and a special interest in Naikan therapy. Natividad Menendez, counsellor and focussing practitioner, based in Spain. Dr. Priti Vaishnav, from India, who has extensive experience in working in areas of social distress around the world offers administrative support Fees: £225 per semester (equivalent to £1025 for the whole course over two years and three months). To Register: Please write to Jisshas <jisshas@googlegroups.com> giving Full name, Date of birth. Street address. E-mail address. Details of your background in Buddhism (if any). Details of your background in psychology/therapy (if any). Your reasons for interest in the course. FEEDBACK FROM STUDENTS ON THE BP PROGRAM - "Dear David, thank you for a wonderful first year on the course, but also for the Sangha you have been cultivating. I am enjoying, learning and finding much refuge." - "The BP program exceeded my expectations. I’m not only becoming a better helper, but I also see a big improvement in my personal life. We learn the theories and practises through exercises where we have to look inside ourselves. And how many things we see now that we couldn’t see before! I see clearer now, and I look forward to keep improving to learn how to live this life to the fullest and how to become a “therapeutic presence” (as David Brazier says) in the world." - "This course has helped me a lot to have better tools to be able to accompany the clients I see. It has been enriching to study and be able to put into practice what I learned. On a personal level, it has given me a very interesting approach and perspective on what suffering is. Some exceptional teachers and classmates. I am greatfull. I completely recommend it".BUDDHA'S RULES FOR CONVERSATION 1/ Listen carefully 2/ Don’t talk to an unwilling audience. 3/ Only say what will be useful or interesting to the other party. 4/ Avoid gossip. Don’t disparage others. 5/ Don’t add to quarrels. 6/ Facilitate peace. 7/ Speak words that inspire faith & confidence. TODAY'S PODCAST In the podcast there is reference to an analysis of avidya. The following chart may help.
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This chart show the six "underlying tendencies" that constitute avidya, that are created by papancha, the spreading or proliferation through the mind of the effects of samjña. The chart shows how the ego level of delusion is based upon a psychological level which is based upon the basic biological level of attraction and repulsion.
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By the sea
NEXT BUDDHIST PSYCHOLOGY WEEKEND
On the final weekend of January, 27-28th, there will be a Buddhist Psychology Retreat incorporating both puja & BP practice.Joining instruction to follow. 7th January 13:00 NAIKAN WITH KIMIKO
The next one hour Naikan Session. Naikan, literally "inward reflection" is a Japanese approach to life review and Dharma practice. It leads to a sense of gratitude and a healing and enhancing of relationships. Naikan is both a spiritual practice and a personal therapy. Join zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88992070497?pwd=M3pDRG9LT3BpMnFwR1BSY0I3Vi9QUT09ID: 889 9207 0497 -:- passcode: 999175 Looking further ahead 23rd-27th October 2024 4th ITZI CONFERENCE "COLLOQUIUM ON BUDDHIST PSYCHOLOGY" Ten presenters already lined up - how about you? You don't have to be a presenter in order to attend, but we hope that as many people as possible will share their ideas, whether they take a 90 minute, 45 minute or 15 minute slot, alone or jointly with a colleague. Experiential workshops & led discussions will be just as welcome as learned papers. We are aiming to bring together fifty people with an interest in Buddhist psychology, its nature, development & application. I bought one of the first tickets. Come and join me, attend, participate & present your work & ideas. It will be a residential colloquium held in northern Spain in an excellent venue, secluded in the mountains, that we have used before and know well. This is a good place for a colloquium. Previous conferences in this series have been very enjoyable gatherings and have included a wide variety of presentations on aspects of Buddhist psychology and its applications in various forms of therapy, personal development, spiritual practice and social life & organisation. The event will be limited to fifty places, so early booking is advisable. The cost for early booking is 320€ fully residential. Information: Sonia via 2024itzi@googlegroups.com, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ITZIconference/Booking: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/globalsangha/1067240#Monday to Friday 06:30 DAILY NEMBUTSU Geeta Chari: Let’s do some Nembutsu every weekday morning at 6:30 am Rome time. We begin to chant straightaway, without social talk, for 20 minutes, in chain-style. There is a bell rung at the end. People who wish to stay and talk afterwards are welcome to do so. Saturdays and Sundays are rest days. Namo Amida Bu Every Thursday there is a half-hour reading and discussion of the Summary of Faith and Practice from 06:00 to 06:30, followed by Nembutsu as usual. ESPAÑOL Practicamos Nembutsu todas las mañanas (excepto fines de semana) a las 6:30 hora de Roma. La práctica consiste en recitar el nembutsu en cadena durante veinte minutos. Al finalizar se escuchará el sonido de la campana, y posteriormente, los que lo deseen podrán conversar. Namo Amida Bu Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/84997972011?pwd=NFVGZDhBTy95NTJlalJYWHZaYVJtUT09WhatsAppThere is now a WhatsApp group for those who would like to attend Daily Nembutsu. Please contact jisshas@googlegroups.com to be added. JOURNEY WORK Modern people often think that they can control their feelings and moods independently of their lifestyle and life events. Commonly they attempt to do so by taking medicines and this often leads to a deterioration in health.
This attitude is a result of the medicalisation of psychology. The psyche (chitta) responds to experience. Different people do respond to similar experiences differently, but this is not a manifestation of illness, it is mostly a difference of character. There is a basal temperament that a person is born with and then there are the cumulative effects of how they deal with the miscellaneous circumstances that come along. We have a tendency to repeat. If I have been a coward once, I am likely to be a coward again. If I have been brave once, I am likely to be brave again.
In life one is tested by events and the results of one's responses tend to be cumulative.. Things happen. When something happens one has to respond. This means that one exercises one’s will. Intentional action has consequences in the world and in the mind. In every moment of life something new is possible, but the drag of habit is strong. Rather than living out our creative possibilities we tend to go round in circles.
Buddhist psychotherapy provides a way of accompaniment along life’s journey considered as a spiritual quest for liberation. We could call it journey work. To be liberated means to break out. Buddhist teachings describe in detail and in principle the stages of the cycles that we pass through. They also assume a long term trajectory over many lives such that each person comes into this life with a spiritual problem. The person is not generally conscious of this vibanga. So the person is a case (koan) - a specific example of a general spiritual issue. This issue is grounded in the circumstances of impermanence & attachment but takes a unique form due to the details of circumstance on the one hand and the way that the person exercises his or her will on the other.
In samsara we are embedded in conditions, none of which can be expected to endure forever. Change comes. We struggle to survive and reproduce ourselves, physically and culturally. So we resist, deny or try to take control of change, none of which is anything more than a losing battle in the long run. Journey work, therefore, involves learning both great acceptance and also willingness to engage.
War, want & woeful times will come. They test us. A response is required. Can one choose a noble course? Can one avoid the extremes of abdication, self-pity and denial on the one hand and stubborn prejudice, conceit and aggression on the other? Can one free oneself from one’s self?
Clearly, for the self to free itself from the self is impossible. The issue has to be framed in a different way. Only something outside of oneself can free one. There has to be an other power involved or the task is hopeless. And one has to trust in that other power, even though one does not understand it. By definition, one cannot bring the other power under the control of one’s will, one can only offer to let one’s will be led by the other power.
This is where the idea of nobility arises. The other power is higher. For the sake of something higher one acts in a noble way, one gives up mean and selfish ideas, one discards petty impulses. The person who is oriented toward the higher spirit ascends upon the spiritual path. The person who is not, descends.
So, at every point in life there is the possibility of going up or down. Now the inspiration to adopt the higher path also generally comes from outside of the self. One has a teacher or guide or therapist or skilful friend. This may be an established long term relationship or it may be a fortuitous coincidence. Along the way one meets the people that one needs, even if one does not always recognise them as such.
Life is thus a series of encounters. In each meeting there is the question, What is required now? What needs to be done? This challenge can have different aspects. Sometimes the thing that is needed is to do nothing. There are many situations in which one is tempted to act, but action will only make things worse. What is required is restraint, nirodha. Sometimes, discretion is the better part of valour. On other occasions, decision is necessary and this involves choice. In every choice, something is lost or given up. One cannot have everything. Again, one tries to discern the most noble path.
In such decision making, feelings and intuition can play a part by supplying information, but they should not be the ultimate determinant. Often one is called to do things that are difficult, uncomfortable, distressing or frightening. The noble person is not deterred by such obstacles. For the sake of the higher life, s/he takes on what is required.
So Buddhist practice is much concerned with keeping the other power in mind. This is the original mindfulness. Buddhist therapy or guidance helps a person along the journey by acting as a companion and a mirror and by recognising how the higher influence is working in the life of the practitioner.
HEALING THE HEART In the time of tearing apart address the healing of the heart. In the deepest soul foundation one must make an excavation. Deep in the origin of all, a silence reigns: a mystic call. Uncontrived, without bound, it is the universal ground from which springs authenticity, beatitude and sanctity. The holy cannot be possessed, but seen, known, and witnessed. It is a stillness beyond fear, a heart that’s free, mind that’s clear. I do not know it’s name or clan, for it was before the world began. It shall be when the world is passed Those who endure hold it fast. Upon the truth it is the seal. Of the ship of life, it is the keel. Just stop, do nothing, you will find the calm foundation of the mind. In that peace, undefended, naturally, the heart is mended.
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========================================================== SIGN UP FOR BUDDHIST PSYCHOLOGY TRAINING
To Register: Please write to Jisshas <jisshas@googlegroups.com> giving Full name, Date of birth. Street address. E-mail address. Details of your background in Buddhism (if any). Details of your background in psychology/therapy (if any). Your reasons for interest in the course. For details: see above in the Newsletter ==========================================================
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DIARY All times are Rome time zone Every weekday (Monday-Friday) 06:30-06:50 Nembutsu Chanting - Geeta Chari https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84997972011?pwd=NFVGZDhBTy95NTJlalJYWHZaYVJtUT09Mondays 09:15-10:00. Qi Gong Information: Angela via Jisshas Lunedì dalle 19.00 alle 19:45 - ogni due settimane Gruppo ItalianoInformation: Angela via Jisshas Tuesday 9th January and every first Tuesday of the month Tree of Life SanghaLed by Sujatin, based in Perth, Scotland Thursday 14:30, 28th December & every two weeks BP Diploma Tutors Meeting Thursday 19:00-20:30, 28th December & every two weeks Supervision Group - Iris Dotan KatzFor presentation, review and discussion of counselling/psychotherapy casework from a Buddhist psychology perspective. Information: Iris via Jisshas
Fridays 19:30-20:10 Amitabha Service Angela & friends https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89480699209?pwd=enBHS3RYWVZxN1FyUGthZ1o0cVdFZz09Meeting ID: 894 8069 9209 -:- Passcode: 137836 Viernes 18:00 Encuentro de la Sangha en español y servicio. Guiado por Ganendra. Por zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81138990223?pwd=dmNZU3VmRTRhUjBobVdnMjhuV3NYUT09Para asistir, escribir por whatsapp a +34 620265962. Saturday 20th January 14:00 Shravaka MeetingSunday 13:00 7th January and every 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month Naikan - Kimiko Nita ID: 889 9207 0497 -:- passcode: 999175 Sundays 10:00 Puja: Sunday service with chanting, readings, & sharing - coordinator Liz Almark https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84734198325?pwd=eDU5Z0dBUmVuVmFyZktab3dIeHNmQT09Meeting ID: 847 3419 8325 -:- Passcode: 536609 Also: see alternative code in Newsletter above. ===========================================================
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