Sunday, September 1, 2024
9:30 am - 5:15 pm ET
In an essential way our practice unfolds within the context of friendship. This aspect of the path mostly goes unnoticed and its profound contributions to our growth in the dhamma are often overlooked. This program explores ways to connect with and develop our understanding of the role of spiritual friendship (kalyāṇa-mittatā) on the path.
The Buddha taught not just his monastic followers, but also his own relatives and the wider community, in a cultural context quite different from the often transactional nature of our modern day societies. In this program, we will first turn to early Buddhist teachings (suttas and jataka tales) to support us in reflecting on how supportive friendship played a key role in the lives of the Buddha and his contemporaries. We will then consider how deeply relevant this kind of friendship remains to this day - exploring ways to connect with it in our own direct experience of the path, and grow it in our lives. We will also consider the process of befriending our own minds as an expression of inner spiritual friendship.
Join us to explore what is meant by spiritual friendship, through guided meditations, small group discussions and Q&Rs. With two teachers who consider themselves longtime kalyāṇa-mitta to each other, you will be guided to recognize the presence of such wise friendship in your own life and cultivate it as a key part of your daily dhamma practice.
Whether you are new to the dhamma or have an established practice, this program provides an opportunity to expand the scope of your practice in daily life, with experienced teachers and the support of the IMS online platform.
Meet Your Teachers
![](https://import.cdn.thinkific.com/478758/k6bItFecTyKL9ydC9xPw_Greg%20Scharf.jpg)
Greg Scharf
![](https://files.cdn.thinkific.com/instructors/001/045/6801701458481.small.jpg)
Éowyn Ahlstrom
More Information
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Equity Pricing Model
As one part of our ongoing effort to expand access to the teachings of the Buddha, all IMS Online programs feature equity-based registration fees, including the opportunity to self-select a low-cost scholarship rate. No-fee enrollment is available for those who request a fee-waiver at [email protected], no questions asked. Our system supports the cultivation of a dynamic and inclusive community and is made possible by our generous donors and those who choose to support other students by contributing at the “Benefactor” level.
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Registration Deadline
Registration for this program closes on September 1, 2024 at 8:00 am ET.
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Program Recordings
This program will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing after the live sessions. On-demand videos will be available to registered participants only for 90 days.
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Additional Questions
If you have additional questions please contact us at [email protected].