Buddhist Mindscience: Mod. 1 Cultivating Lasting Happiness
What Buddhism and science have to say about it
Online course with Marina Brucet & Hans Burghardt
Discover the workings of the mind and the mechanisms of suffering and happiness and unlock your potential for mental balance, compassion and wisdom. Starting with Module 1- Cultivating lasting happiness: What Buddhism and Science Have to Say about It
The 7-module Journey
Welcome to this journey to unlock our potential and cultivate lasting happiness. Buddhism it is considered by some a “science of mind,” because it presents a comprehensive and deep description of the mind, it studies its various aspects and functions, and it provides methods to observe it directly and to discover and activate our inner potential. And it does so with one intention: to overcome suffering and its causes and to cultivate true, lasting happiness.
The course follows a gradual approach, with a strong experiential component that invites everyone to reflect and check by themselves the different topics presented along the courses. With a strong emphasis on transforming daily life in meaningful ways, it provides both Buddhist and scientific perspectives. It consists of seven courses that can be done as independent courses:
- Cultivating lasting happiness: What Buddhism and science have to say about it
- Transforming the mind to cultivate lasting happiness
- Getting to know your mind
- Fundamental trainings to cultivate lasting happiness
- Wise paths to the heart
- The nature of perception
- Embodying warmheartedness and wisdom
(For more information: watch this video with explanation from the trainers or download the brochure with the full description of the course).
Module 1: Cultivating Lasting Happiness: What Buddhism and Science Have to Say about It
(4 online classes)
What is it that we are all pursuing? Do we succeed in it? Should we explore more carefully and wisely how to fulfill our deep yearnings for happiness and to be free from suffering? How could we contribute to others’ happiness as well?
We will explore such questions from an experiential point of view, using both scientific and Buddhist knowledge of the mind and meditation, in a journey that may translate into increasing lasting happiness and a positive impact on oneself, others, and the world.
This module focuses on an exploration of what leads to dissatisfaction and suffering, and what contributes to happiness for oneself and others. The fundamentals of meditation and mind training are introduced, especially in the areas of establishing a meaningful direction in life, balancing the mind with equanimity and a caring attitude, and nurturing warmheartedness and wisdom drawn from the Buddhist tradition. It is complemented by references to current scientific understanding on our nervous system, values, subjective well-being, neuroplasticity and altruism.
Your teachers – Marina Brucet & Hans Burghardt
The course will be giving by two extraordinary scientists, Buddhist trainers and founders of this course from our sister-FPMT center Tushita Meditation Center in Viladrau, Spain.
Marina Brucet holds a BA and a MA in Biochemistry and a PhD in Molecular Biology in Immunology from the University of Barcelona, where she also performed postdoctoral studies. After this, she decided to change research in the laboratory for research of the mind and its possibilities. To this aim, she completed a six-year full-time study program Masters Program of Advanced Buddhist Studies of Sutra and Tantra at Lama Tzong Khapa Institute, Italy. She studied with great Tibetan lamas such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and has completed a one-year individual meditation retreat, among others.
Hans Burghardt holds a BA and a MA in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a PhD from the University of Barcelona, where he spent seven years doing research. Since 2002, he meditates and is a student of great Buddhist masters including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche. He has completed the Masters Program of Advanced Buddhist Studies of Sutra and Tantra at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (Italy) and has completed a one-year individual meditation retreat. He is co-founder of the Initiative for an Emotional, Ethical, and Social Education in Spain.
Practical information
- Day & timing: Wednesday evenings from 19.00-20.30 hrs
- Dates Module 1: October 2, 9, 16 & 23
- Online: via Zoom.
- Language: English
- Registration: You can register for the whole module, 4 classes.
- Last-minute registration: Please also send an email to amsterdam@maitreya.nl, to ensure we can send you the necessary Zoomlink in time to join the class.
Donation
Dāna (generosity) is one of the cornerstones of the Buddhist path. By virtue of their generosity, the Buddha and the ordained sangha offer us the teachings, and in exchange, the lay community supports Dharma centers and the monastic community. This interdependence is essential for us to share the Dharma and continue our work to benefit all sentient beings. With your donation we support our teachers in their cost of living and we uphold our dharma center, which is managed entirely by volunteers.
The suggested donation for this series of 4 classes is €35. For students and people with low income, the suggested donation is €25. Please send us an email if you'd like to make use of this option. Keep in mind that the donation amount should never be an obstacle to your access to the Dharma. Please contact us if it might be an obstacle for you.
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