Embracing the Unknown with Pema Chödrön
Embracing the Unknown with Pema Chödrön
Death is an integral and inevitable aspect of life, but it is generally avoided in discussions within our culture. For many people, the concept is not only frightening, but also nearly taboo - a somber presence that looms over everything, silent and dreadful.
However, there are alternative options available. Actually, it should not.
According to Pema Chödrön, a respected Buddhist teacher, death is not solely an event that occurs at the conclusion of life. Life goes through a cycle of arising, dwelling, ceasing, and arising again. It is a daily recurring cycle that continues indefinitely.
Sounds True partnered with Pema to create Embracing the Unknown: A Four-Part Online Course on Letting Go and Welcoming Change.
When you enroll in Embracing the Unknown, you will have the opportunity to experience:
Explore the concept of the Bardo and learn about the transformative potential of being in a transitional phase with Pema Chodron's online course, Embracing the Unknown.
Discover techniques for releasing difficult emotions like fear, sadness, and grief with an open and curious mindset.
Examine the concept of rebirth thoroughly and consider how it manifests in our everyday experiences.
Discover methods of preparing for the inescapable through the use of meditation techniques and everyday practices to embrace change, uncertainty, and the unfamiliar.
This program includes.
In four major sessions, Pema and her teaching partner, Tim Olsmtead, will provide nine hours of audio and video training, exploring the bardo and the concept of life after death.
You will have access to this course for as long as you have an internet connection, allowing you to access it whenever and wherever you need it.
Additionally, there are two bonus items.
Robert Thurman, a respected scholar of Buddhist thought in the West, offers a downloadable audiobook that provides insight into the Tibetan Book of the Dead, titled Liberation Upon Hearing in the Between: Living with the Tibetan Book of the Dead.
The audio presentation "Walking the Walk: Putting the Teachings into Practice When It Matters Most" by Ani Pema provides guidance on bridging the gap between spiritual theory and practical application in daily life.
Your Journey with Embracing the Unknown
This video course consists of four sessions that explore and explain the concept of the bardo and its presence throughout every moment of life.
Part One:
Welcoming Groundlessness
Pema is offering an introduction to The Tibetan Book of the Dead and the concept of the bardo. Recognizing that death and dying can be challenging topics to address, Pema discusses how your uncertainty regarding them can serve as a gateway to profound insights. She also considers strategies for effectively managing strong emotions that may arise during this journey.
Part Two:
Dwelling in the Uncertainty of Life
What is the definition of the state between life and death, the end and the beginning? Pema believes that by fully engaging with the "passing moments" of your days, you can experience a sense of joy and connection in life. She also suggests creating personal mantras from everyday moments.
Part Three:
Finding Peace in the Bardo
What are the reasons for considering and exploring liminal spaces? Tim Olmsted explains that the bardo can be experienced in every moment, as each moment contains elements of change. Discover the art of cultivating peace and embracing the natural state of "the between."
Part Four:
The Future Is the Present
There is a significant power in the bardo, but how does that impact your everyday life? Pema and Tim conclude the course by instructing you on how to embrace and enhance your senses through meditation and samatha practice. Unpleasant or unwanted experiences have the potential for spiritual fulfillment.
About Your Teachers
Pema Chödrön is an American-born Buddhist nun and author of several modern-day spiritual classics, including The Wisdom of No Escape, Start Where You Are, When Things Fall Apart, The Places that Scare You, No Time To Lose, Practicing Peace in Times of War, How to Meditate, and Living Beautifully. She works as a resident teacher at Gampo Abbey Monastery in Nova Scotia. To find additional information, please visit pemachodronfoundation.org.
Tim Olmsted is the individual who established and holds the position of president at the Pema Chödrön Foundation. He has worked as Pema Chödrön's assistant teacher for her Omega programs since 2007 and served as the director of Gampo Abbey Monastery in Nova Scotia.
Who this course is for?
This course, Embracing the Unknown with Pema Chödrön, is for those looking to find peace and comfort despite life’s uncertainties. Through the teachings of the renowned Buddhist nun and spiritual teacher Pema Chödrön, participants will gain an understanding of how to work with fear and difficult emotions in order to cultivate greater courage, resilience, and inner strength. Whether you are seeking to deepen your understanding of the bardo or simply looking for guidance on how to better navigate life’s ups and downs, this course is ideal for you.
Frequently asked questions
What does embracing the unknown mean?
Embracing the unknown means having the courage to face the unknown with an open heart and willingness to explore it. It involves letting go of fear and feeling comfortable in the uncertainty that comes with life's experiences.
What is The Tibetan Book of the Dead?
The Tibetan Book of the Dead is a compilation of ancient Buddhist texts written by Padmasambhava, a legendary 8 th century Indian Buddhist master. It is intended to help the reader understand and navigate life, death, and the transition between the two states.
What is the bardo?
The bardo is a concept from Tibetan Buddhism which refers to a transitional state between life and death. It is believed that one's consciousness exists in this state until it is reincarnated into another body or form.
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