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HEALING THE HEART
Newsletter of Global Sangha & Buddhist Psychology number 148 - 8th March 2023
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All times in this Newsletter are Rome time zone BACK TO FRANCE I'm adjusting to a change of temperature. It was 25° in Larnaca. Now, back home in central France, this morning there was frost and the outside temperature is still hovering around 1°. While I've been away a new window-door has been installed in the kitchen. The room is now lighter, even in these cold, grey months. Yet, outside, the daffodils are in bud, there are a few early flowers and yesterday I saw a bee collecting pollen. The year goes through its cycles. Everything repeats, but never quite the same. On the one hand, one can draw solace from the continuity and repetition. On the other hand, my mind is still full of memories of having stayed in N Cyprus during the time of the terrible earthquake just a short distance away in Turkey and then going on to Israel where so many tensions and conflicts cast a shadow of suffering. The news media move on, but if one were one of those whose relatives are now buried under rubble or those others whose sons were shot down in the street in Israel, life is permanently changed. As Buddhists we know that suffering is unavoidable, but the impact of such terrible events is bound to be dire. Nonetheless, in both countries I stayed among peaceful, loving company and return with a warm feeling in my heart for that. Such is the bitter sweetness of life. The experience of such contrasts is itself awakening.
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A LITTLE DHARMA To live in relation to other power is, inter alia, to abandon any idea of oneself as a victim. One is going to become a Buddha. One is on a path. One has faith in this - it is out of one’s hands. No matter how stupid one may be or how many messy mistakes, keep faith. Many things happen to one: they are all scenery along the path, even the most tragic or the most glorious. One will have feelings, even ones that sear one's bones, but even these do not compare with the infinite light within which one has one's real being. One will have triumphs, enjoy them, but know they are as nothing, really. Sometimes one will be popular - take great care at such times - it is just tinsel. Sometimes one may be hated, humiliated, misunderstood, or abandoned - have patience, there is a longer term. Trust in the vow of the Tathagata. Always, Namo Amida Bu.
QUESTIONS IN THE SAND Question: How do you think a psychotherapist may really help his patients when he shares the same tragical experiences? And, the more, if his tutor shares the same experiences, how may he help him? Short answer: By realising the uniqueness of the client/student's experience. Longer answer: Three people may have the same experience objectively, but respond quite differently. The lived experience is not the same for each. Therapy is about authenticity - finding the right path for the individual. If I share the same experience (objectively) as my client, it is both a help and a hindrance. It is a help in that I understand his description easily. It is a hindrance in that I may tend to assume that his inner experience is/was the same as mine. Great tragedies (like the Turkish earthquake, say) become part of the culture of the people and there grows up a culturally approved view, but this may not correspond with the lived experience of a particular individual. This may, of course mean that there is a "second level" - there is the individual's authentic experience of the tragedy and there is the individual's feeling about fitting or not fitting the received cultural view about it. Life is always complicated. The best therapist will 1/ have her own experience, 2/ be able to stand apart from her own experience, 3/ appreciate the experience of the client, 4/ appreciate how that experience of the cliebnt stands in relation to the culture and whatever secondary feelings flow from that, 5/ see how the style of reaction of the client fits into the larger scale trajectory of the client's life and path. Well, it is a complicated matter - these are just some immediate notes.
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WEEK DAYS
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
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. THIS WEEKEND 11-12th March 2023 WEEKEND RETREAT IN BRITTANY FRANCE "Authentic Life & Healing the Heart" David Brazier: I shall lead a retreat in Brittany at ‘Labyrinthe’, the home of Mo & Peter who train in the Soto Zen Tradition. The retreat will include teachings from the book Authentic Life and explain the Dharma of Healing the Heart. We live in times when there is much strife in the world. This is reflected in the stress within ourselves. The Dharma brings peace and healing. By building an international sangha community we bring healing to ourselves and to the world. There is always trouble (dukkha) and there is always the possibility of awakening to authentic life. 10 places, fully residential. Cost: Suggested 50€ per day for full board accommodation plus dana for the teacher & his work. To book: Mo Henderson <labyrinthe3@icloud.com> FUTURE EVENTS BUDDHIST PSYCHOLOGY WEEKEND IN SPAIN IN APRIL Scroll down Saturday 3rd June 2023 - Oxford UK & online MEDITATION AROUND THE WORLD Miguel Farias, David Brazier & Swami Ambikananda Details at: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/courses/meditation-across-the-worlds-traditionsContact: ppdayweek@conted.ox.ac.uk -:- Tel: +44 (0)1865 270368Tuesday 1st August to Sunday 6th August 2023 SUMMER OBON AT ELEUSIS, CHER, FRANCE David Brazier in person meeting David: Obon is the Buddhist summer festival. It is concerned with family and ancestors. It is also a good time to be together, enjoy some gentle retreat time and meet with other members of the sangha. If you would like to spend some time with me in France this summer, this is a good week to choose. We shall spend time enjoying life and practice together and have some outings to local places of beauty and interest. On August 1st and the following weekend we shall have events to celebrate the Upavastha (full moon) and Obon. Enquiries & bookings via Jisshas < jisshas@googlegroups.com> Monday 7th to Friday 11th August 2023 - Eleusis, France BUDDHIST PSYCHOLOGY SUMMER SCHOOL David Brazier & Iris Dotan Katz - An in person meeting Following the success of last year's Summer School, we are offering a five day residential workshop to explore Buddhist Psychology in theory and practice - especially practice. This is an excellent option for students on the BP programme, but the workshop is open to all who are interested. Enquiries & bookings via Jisshas < jisshas@googlegroups.com> The suggested donation for full board at Eleusis is 40€ per day, 250€ per week.
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On a day out near Tel Aviv, we watched people paragliding.
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CURRENT AFFAIRS DO WE HAVE A FUTURE? Last week I wrote about the impending global crisis and the "phony war". The pictures in this issue of Healing the Heart are like symbols of peace and ease with nothing to worry about. However, I think we are all vaguely aware of the looming problems without knowing exactly how or in what form the trouble will impinge on our individual lives particularly. Already, however, we experience inflation and we see the scattered disasters of fire, flood, draught, rising sea levels and loss of cultivable land. We say it is due to the war, or due to "supply problems", but really this is rather a smoke screen. The root problem is ecological. As an Old Testament Prophet might have said, "We have sinned!" We have lived beyond the means of the planet and, as they say, borrowed from the future.
A more subtle consequence is that people are not so much future oriented as they were. Perhaps the sudden craze in pop psychology for "the power of now" is that we no longer want to think about the future. "But surely," you might say, "Buddhism is all about 'nowness', isn't it?" but this is just a currently popular gloss on the Dharma. The Buddha "Saw beings rising and falling according to their deeds." He was very much concerned about our future. Where was all this greed, hate and delusion leading? Should we not, collectively, reconsider "our deeds". The popular slogan of "Get back to normal" is fundamentally backward looking and signals a refusal to learn what has gone wrong. That normal is gone, and it was not that wonderful. It is what has got us into this mess. However, there is little in view that offers a healthy, sustainable way forward. Perhaps we really are entering mappo.
I am very aware these days of the sharp contrasts. A few days ago I stood in Paris looking around at all the signs of the great civilisation that we humans have constructed: trains (I was waiting for one), bridges, buildings that have stood for centuries, systems for the distribution of food, energy, information - it is overwhelmingly impressive when you stop to think about it. Yet the big issues here in France at the moment are social unrest related to government plans to reduce pensions, the rising prices of food and energy, and, I read, "France experienced a historic drought in the summer of 2022, followed by an equally dry winter. Alarm bells are still ringing this year as the country braces itself for yet another arid summer." (France 24). There are already water restrictions in some areas and it is only March.
We each try to do our little bit by recycling waste, not using so much water and so on, but individual action of this kind is really only scratching the surface of the problem. So we feel helpless. The solution must lie in the hands of the politicians, we think, but I suspect that any politician who really seized the nettle and implemented the kinds of measures needed would probably be swiftly voted out of office. Collectively, we do not want to face it.
So what is a spiritual person to do? How are we to adapt? Will our faith see us through the difficult times ahead? For some people, the difficult time will be tragic. If your house is washed away or your farm dries up and dies, the effect is dramatic. For most it is more likely to be a gradual progression of increasing deprivation as shortages multiply and everything gradually becomes more difficult. In both these scenarios, people need faith and inspiration, but it functions in different ways. In the acute disaster, faith brings courage. In the chronic deterioration, it brings equanimity. In both, it fosters community and mutual aid. The more we practise now, the better prepared we shall be. Namo Amida Bu. ==========================================================
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Buddhist Psychology Weekend in Bilbao, Spain 14-16 April 2023 "EXPLORING THE EQUATION OF LIFE"
David Brazier & Iris Dotan KatzAn in person meeting. In this weekend we shall introduce and work with core concepts of Buddhist psychology. Buddhist psychology is based upon the sutra teachings of Shakyamuni, the Buddha, and upon the Buddhist Abhidharma literature which constitutes some of the world's first psychological texts. Through the work of the International Zen Therapy Institute (ITZI) this material has become available for contemporary use. Each person's life is shaped by conditions, some inner, some outer, that create the unique equation of that life. The therapist seeks to understand this in each case and thereby to discern the trajectory and meaning of the life of the person. This workshop is suitable for all those interested in therapy, personal growth and Buddhist practice. Taller presencial en Bilbao
14, 15 Y 16 de abril de 2023.
UN FIN DE SEMANA DE PSICOLOGÍA BUDISTA EN BILBAO
Dr. David Brazier & Dra. Iris Dotan Katz
En este fin de semana presentaremos y trabajaremos con conceptos centrales de la psicología budista. La psicología budista se basa en las enseñanzas de los sutras de Shakyamuni, el Buda, y en la literatura budista Abhidharma, que constituye uno de los primeros textos psicológicos del mundo. A través del trabajo del Instituto Internacional de Terapia Zen (ITZI), este material está disponible para uso contemporáneo. La vida de cada persona está determinada por condiciones, algunas internas, otras externas, que crean la ecuación única de esa vida. Eln la terapia buscamos comprender esto en cada caso y así discernir la trayectoria y sentido de la vida de la persona. Este taller es apto para todos aquellos interesados en la terapia, el crecimiento personal y la práctica budista.
Impartido por:
Dr. David Brazier
Maestro de Dharma de la Global Sangha, una comunidad budista internacional. Tiene un doctorado en psicología budista y enseña en un programa de Diploma de Psicología Budista online de dos años. Es autor de catorce libros sobre Dharma, psicología y cultura, emite numerosos podcasts y es un poeta publicado. En el pasado, ha trabajado en proyectos socialmente comprometidos y ha viajado y enseñado en muchas partes del mundo. Ahora vive semi-retirado en una ermita en Francia, escribiendo, cuidando el jardín y practicando el Dharma.
Dr. Iris Dotan Katz
Psicóloga clínica que trabaja en Tel Aviv. Es supervisora en psicología clínica y en otros ámbitos, com la psicología organizacional y la acción social. Ha participado activamente en procesos de paz, y tiene una larga experiencia en el Zen y el Budismo Tierrapura, y en el activismo socialmente comprometido y el pacifismo.
Aportación económica
Inversión económica:
Realizando la inscripción antes del 24 de marzo 170 €. A partir del 24 de marzo 190€.
Tenemos la posibilidad de descuentos y becas para personas con bajos ingresos. Las dificultades economicas no deberían ser un impedimento para acudir al taller.
Si deseas alojarte en la casa, el precio del alojamiento en pensión completa de viernes a domingo, son 100 euros.
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DIARY All times are Rome time zone Every day 06:30-06:50 Nembutsu Chanting - Geeta Chari https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84997972011?pwd=NFVGZDhBTy95NTJlalJYWHZaYVJtUT09Giovedì ore 21.30 - 16 marzo - ogni due settimane Gruppo Italiano ** Thursday 14:10-15:30, 2nd, 16th, 30th March, then every two weeks Naikan PracticeKimiko Nita
Zoom link: https://bit.ly/3r1gVFj -:- ID: 889 9207 0497 -:- Passcode : 999175 Thursday 14:30, 9th, 23rd March & every two weeks IBAP Group / BP Diploma Tutors Meeting *Thursday 19:00-20:30, 9th March & every two weeks ITZI Supervision Group **- Iris Dotan KatzFor presentation, review and discussion of counselling/psychotherapy casework from a Buddhist psychology perspective. Thursdays 16:30. Readings from the Commentary on Summary of Faith & Practicehttps://bit.ly/3T9tX0x Meeting ID: 871 8967 0352 -:- Passcode: 732590 Fridays 19:30 Amitabha Service For the West - Vajrapala & Angela Romani https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89480699209?pwd=enBHS3RYWVZxN1FyUGthZ1o0cVdFZz09Meeting ID: 894 8069 9209 -:- Passcode: 137836 Saturdays 14:00 Refuge Group PujaPuja, Dharma Talk, Sharing, Discussion, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83365263186?pwd=cURmOW5FNGJvdTd2SG1qVWtPSDJrZz09Meeting ID: 833 6526 3186 -:- Passcode: 353386 Sabado 16:30 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 8th April11:30-17:00 Upavastha: Full Moon Practice RenewalProgramme of puja, readings, meditation, & chanting until evening https://bit.ly/3YgaPQn -:- Meeting ID: 879 5343 9118 -:- Passcode: 804176 Sundays 10:30 Global Topical Forum- Liz Allmark https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88974912642?pwd=N2VyQnc0MUM4WUU0YTFTdCt0QWVmQT09Meeting ID: 889 7491 2642 -:- Passcode: 537296 Sundays 20:00 GS Friendship GroupAn informal meeting for all https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87394084532?pwd=eEY3eUhHcjN0b0xLanZXcTNqVmVzdz09Meeting ID: 873 9408 4532 -:- Passcode: 519784 FORWARD PROGRAMME 2023 In-person Retreat in Brittany: 11th-12th March; Buddhist Psychology Seminars 18th March 10:00 & 20:00; Buddhist Psychology Seminars 1st April 10:00 & 20:00; Upavastha & Birth of Shakyamuni Buddha: 5th April; Buddhist Psychology In Person Event in Spain 14th-16th April; Buddhist Psychology Seminars 29th April10:00 & 20:00; Upavasthe: 6th May; Buddhist Psychology Seminars 20th May 10:00 & 20:00; Upavastha 3rd June; Meditation Around the World, Oxford, UK 3rd June Buddhist Psychology Weekend 10-11th June; Upavastha 1st July; Obon: 1st to 6th August; Buddhist Psychology Summer School: 7th to 11th August; Upavastha: 30th August; 30th September; 28th October; Healing the Heart Retreat: 25th to 28th November; Bodhi Day: 8th December; Upavastha: 27th December. * Codes separately notified ** Details from Jisshas < jisshas@googlegroups.com>
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