Friday, May 1 •  Creating Optimism in Times of Fear & Anxiety
with Gen Kelsang Chöma
6 – 7:30pm • Public Talk

Fear and anxiety. They creep in slowly or rise up all at once, filling our heart with panic and crippling our mind with dread. Anxiety traps us in dizzying spirals, running worst case scenarios over and over. In the grip of fear we lose all perspective and become the weakest, most vulnerable version of ourselves. Our environment feels hostile and threatening, and no matter how hard we try, we’re unable to control our racing, paralysing thoughts.

According to Buddha, fear doesn’t come from the external situation but instead arises from within our own mind. It is our own mind’s relationship to difficulties that creates anxiety. Which means fear can be released if we simply learn to relate to difficult situations differently.

In this public talk, Gen Chöma will explain that although we may be very familiar with anxiety, the mind’s actual nature is calmness and peace. By simply tuning into and nurturing our natural peace we have a brand new perspective on life and a newfound ability to control our mind in the face of external challenges.

​

Saturday, May 2 • Aging with Wisdom: A Buddhist Exploration
with Gen Kelsang Chöma
10 – 11:30am • Session 1
11:30 –12:30pm • Light lunch provided
12:30 – 2pm – Session 2

When we are young, old age and sickness seem very far away, but–surprisingly quickly–we grow old and become ill. Aging and illness are events in our life that are unavoidable, and yet we spend time, effort and money trying to avoid them! Our efforts are usually spent dealing with the external signs of aging and illness. A Buddhist perspective teaches us how to look inward, as we examine our attitudes towards aging and illness.

In this day course of teachings and meditations, Gen Chöma will bring Buddhist wisdom to considering aging and sickness without fear or denial. How powerful to learn that we can grow old wisely, happily, and meaningfully.

​

Sunday, May 3 • How to Help in Troubled Times: A Buddhist Perspective
with Gen Kelsang Chöma
10:30 am – 12noon  • (aka 'Eight Meditations for Happiness')

We experience so much anger, frustration and fear in our minds these days. We know this. These are challenging times.

And now some good news: it is possible to become free from this and even cultivate peace in such an unstable and sometimes frightening world. Buddha pinpoints the actual source of our fear. As it turns out, it is not within our environment, society or political situations, but within our mind. Through learning to skillfully apply Buddhist meditation we can learn to clearly identify this inner source of our problems and begin to diminish it. This in turn serves as the springboard for skillful action with which to respond to our troubled times with wisdom and compassion.

In this talk, Gen Chöma will help us see how we can authentically transform our troubled times. We will learn how to take refuge in our peaceful nature. As we become more secure in this practice we become more confident and courageous in dealing with whatever comes our way.