lotusinthemud

amida france, summer of 2011

There's a very full and varied programme throughout July, August and into September at our beautiful retreat centre in the middle of France:

Website: Amida France

July 4-8: Anjin Sesshin Retreat

July 11-15: Becoming More Alive through Words & Movement

July 18-22: Teachings: Mindfulness & Pureland Buddhism

July 25-29: Women Together/Familie Week (English/Dutch)

Aug 1-5: Arts & Family Week (English/Dutch/Francais)

Aug 8-12: Buddhist Psychology Summer School

Aug 15-19: Earth to Earth: Facing Grief & Finding Healing in Nature

Aug 22-26: Volunteer Week

Aug 29-Sept 2: Rivers & Forests: Walking retreat (English/Francais)

Sept 5-9: Women, Food & Bodies Week

Why not just stay for the whole summer :-)

join fiona's may e-course: writing as spiritual practise

Fiona writes:

Who the course is for:

This course is aimed at anyone who wants to feel more at home with themselves and with the world, through the exploration of writing as a spiritual practice. Participants will write at least one small stone a day – a short piece of observational writing - and also use journal writing and other writing exercises. 

The course is suitable for both experienced writers and for those with no previous experience of creative writing, and for both those already steeped in a particular spiritual tradition and for the spiritually ambivalent or curious.

When and where:

The course is four weeks long and will take place online via email and here on the forum in a private group. It will take place between the 2nd and the 29th of May 2011. Cohorts sizes will be limited

More information and how to book ::here

join kaspalita's may e-course: eastern therapeutic writing

Kaspalita, a Pureland Buddhist priest in the Amida Order, writes about his course:

This course will give you an experience of four different styles of therapeutic writing/journaling, each drawn from eastern spiritual and therapeutic traditions.

Who this course is for:

Anyone who wants to learn more about themselves, and their connection with the world.

Naikan : During the first week we will use a reflective practice developed in Japan to look at our relationships with other people.

Morita : During the second week we will keep a Morita journal. Morita encourages us to contemplate the relationship between actions and feelings, and, as Susan Jeffers said, to Feel the fear and do it anyway.

Waka/Tanka:  The Buddhist monk Saigyo became famous for the poetry he wrote whilst travelling through Japan which was heartfelt and full of feeling. How can we use this form to capture something of our own lives?

Koans: Koan practice has become very formalized in Rinazi Zen, but it began very simply with a reflection upon a spiritual ancestor’s life. How did their troubles mirror our own?  How did they become enlightened?

When and where: The course is four weeks long and will take place online via email and here on the forum in a private group. It will take place between the 2nd and the 29th of May 2011. Cohort sizes will be limited.

Find out more details and book ::here

buddhism and psychodrama workshop in london

LONDON PSYCHODRAMA ASSOCIATION

STRATEGIES FOR CHANGING ATTITUDES

Saturday October 8th 2011

This is a unique opportunity to participate in an experiential and reflective workshop with two well-known experts in Buddhism and Psychodrama. They will be exploring the changing of attitudes through similarities and differences of these two disciplines. It is often perceived that Buddhism is centered on reflection and Psychodrama is centered on action.

This workshop will demonstrate the power of ‘role-reversal’ as a tool for nurturing empathy in developing an understanding of the other in the process of moving towards the changing of attitudes.

amida france - courses, spring and summer 2011

Amida France website

Come and share our vision. Come and join us in creating a Pure Land.

Amida France is set in 30 acres of beautiful French countryside. It is in the heart of France in an area which you have probably never heard of because it is off the main tourist routes. Beautiful and undiscovered.

Amida France is a place to unwind, to encounter nature, to heal, to find your creativity, to deepen your practice, to discover the rich spirtuality of Pureland Buddhism. It is a friendly place where there is often lively discussion over meals or shared time working on building or arts projects. It is also a place for  discovering silence in the woods and fields.

amida course - pureland practice in everyday life

Kaspa writes:

On the 22nd - 23rd January Kuvalaya (of Amida Newcastle) and I are running a workshop/retreat at The Buddhist House called "Pureland Practice in Everyday Life"

Exploring together how we can practice Pureland Buddhism in our everyday lives away from the spaces of temples and dharma halls.

Looking at both making space for formal practice - chanting and meditation, in our own lives. And informal practice - how we are in the world.

A space to explore these ideas and to experience Pureland practice with others in a retreat like space.

::read more and book here

new directions in buddhist psychology: 1st international conference on other centered approaches

New Directions in Buddhist Psychology

1st International Conference on Other Centered Approaches

Co-sponsored by Amida USA, Todo Institute, Institute for Buddhist Studies

Buddhist Churches of America - Center for Buddhist Education

::contact conference@amidatrust.com

Berkeley CA February 19-21 2010

the fourth noble truth - part two

To discuss this series of videos, please join Friends of Amida, and then, the Feeling Buddha group

the fourth noble truth - part one

the third noble truth: nirodha, part two