The Second Noble Truth: The Origins of Suffering

This online class is the second in a five-course series called, Finding Freedom, exploring the foundational teachings of Buddhism. While Course 1 explored the First Noble Truth, Course 2 will look more closely at the Second Noble Truth, the origin of our feelings of anxiety and dissatisfaction. All are welcome! You do not need to have taken Course 1 to join for Course 2.

About the Series, Finding Freedom:
The Hinayana path is where every Buddhist practitioner begins. It is based on the mindfulness and awareness training of meditation as well as many other core Buddhist principles and teachings, such as the Four Noble Truths. This seminal teaching is used as the overall organizing principle for the series and is threaded through each session. Each of the five courses will be taught by a local Seattle Shambhala teacher. If you have ever wondered “what is Buddhism all about” or feel like you need a refresher on the key teachings, this is the course for you!

Course 2: The Second Noble Truth: The Origin of Suffering, Part I – The Five Skandas
Instructions in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness are interwoven with the teaching of The Four Noble Truths and provide a meditative method for embracing the totality of our basically good experience – which can include holding our anxiety, pain, fear, and suffering with unconditional friendliness for ourselves, or maitri.

Having recognized the truth of anxiety, fear, and suffering in our everyday life and the confusion that is also so often pervasive, we naturally have questions. How does this state of seemingly constant anxiety, overwhelm, fear, and suffering arise? Where does this confusion come from? In this in-depth exploration of another foundational Buddhist teaching – “The Five Skandhas” – we will touch these layers or constellations of experience one by one, starting from the unconditioned, innate ground of open space, and see how we create our own world of projections. Through this exploration we can uncover what is real and begin to tune into more contentment and joy.

Course 2 will be taught by Seattle Shambhala teacher Bret Ellerton and will meet six Wednesday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30 pm on Zoom starting Wednesday, February 28, 2024.

Click here to Learn more & Register

About the Teacher
Bret Ellerton has been practicing and studying within the Shambhala community for 30 years. He has a degree in religion with a focus on Buddhism from CU Boulder. He has taught within the Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies and is a meditation instruction. He has served as Dharma Arts coordinator and Vajrayana practice coordinator in Seattle. He also has 25 years of experience in teaching young children and currently directs a preschool, as well as shares mindfulness practice with early childhood educators in a secular context.

COST: $132 / $150 / or Pay what you can afford

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