Summer 2020
Reconnecting to wholeness
A practice and study circle based on the book Wisdom Rising: Entering the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine by Lama Tsultrim Allione. Hosted by Susan Szpakowski.
Mondays, 7:00–8:30 pm
July 13, 20, 27. August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
As forests and gardens burst with life, and beaches and lakes call us to their shores, summer is a time of reconnecting with our favourite outdoor places. Connecting with nature is like medicine after a long winter, and for many of us this winter has been extra long.
Being outdoors reminds us that we are not separate from the elements. Water reminds us of our own clarity and fluidity, earth of richness and groundedness, fire of warmth and connectedness, wind of energy and movement, sky of openness.
In Wisdom Rising, Lama Tsultrim introduces practices that strengthen and integrate these elemental qualities in ourselves. This group will explore these practices and how they connect to the Tibetan Buddhist mandala, an ancient symbol of wholeness that includes everything, both wisdom and confusion. The mandala helps us see how our personalities and emotions are part of the same colourful play of energies and elements that make up our world.
We will meet weekly online for learning, practice and connection. Each of us can then explore these practices at home or outdoors between meetings.
All are welcome, no prior knowledge or experience with Buddhism or formal meditation is necessary. If you would like to join or have questions, please contact Susan.
If possible, read the first 6 chapters of Wisdom Rising before our first meeting. During our summer meetings we will focus on Part 3, “Meeting the Five Families and Wisdom Dakinis.” At the end of the summer we will decide whether we want to continue our mandala exploration into the fall.
No charge, though a group donation (dana or “generosity”) may be offered to Tara Mandala after our last meeting.