Mind and it's Potential Discovering Buddhism Module 1 2022

In this module, Mind and its Potential,  you will examine what is “mind,” its nature and function, and how it affects our experience of happiness and suffering. You will explore the differentiation between mind and brain, mind as the creator of our experiences, and the implications of possessing a mind that has no beginning and no end. In addition, you will learn methods to transform destructive thoughts and attitudes and create a positive and joyous mind.

The teaching sessions and guided meditations are taught by Thubten Yeshe. A description of the audio content of these sessions can be seen in more detail below. PDF Transcripts for all these teaching and meditation sessions are also provided

Course Sessions

2022 Course sessions delivered on Wednesday evenings at the Broome Buddha Sanctuary from 5:15 - 7:15pm

Session 1: 24th August 2022

Session 2: 31st August 2022

Session 3: 07th September 2022

Session 4: 14th September 2022

Session 5: 21st September 2022

Holidays: 28 September 2022

Holidays: 05th October 2022

Session 1: 12th October 2022

Session 1: 19th October 2022

Session 1: 26h October 2022

One Day / Weekend Retreat  TBA

 

Archive: Course sessions delivered on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 - 6:45 pm over Term 1 at Broome Circle House

Session 1: 22 February 2017

Session 2: 1st March 2017

Session 3: 8th March 2017

Session 4: 15th March 2017

Session 5: 22nd March 2017

Session 6: 29th March 2017

Session 7: 5th April 2017

The following topics will be covered during the sessions:

• Introduction to Discovering Buddhism Series
• The goal of Buddhist study and practice
• What is the mind – definition and description
• The beginning-less and endless continuity of mind
• Levels of consciousness – everyday mind to buddha-nature, our potential for spiritual enlightenment
• Why it is possible to attain enlightenment

• How to integrate the teachings
• Understanding the functions of the mind – perception and conception
• Understanding how the mind gives rise to discontent and dissatisfaction, or to happiness and fulfillment

• Buddhist psychology – primary minds and mental factors
• The mechanics of the mind
• Destructive mental factors – the root delusions and derivative delusions
• Constructive mental factors
• Chasing happiness

• The path to enlightenment, sutra and tantra: an introduction
• Engaging in a daily practice

The following Guided Meditations are practiced in this course:

• Meditation One: Reflection on the Continuity of Consciousness
• Meditation Two: Equanimity Meditation
• Meditation Three: Meditation on the Clarity of Consciousness
• Meditation Four: Meditation on the Buddha: Touching the Essence

About the teacher - Thubten Yeshe

In 1974 Thubten Yeshe (T. Y.) met her teachers Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche. For five years she studied in Nepal and India, during which time she was ordained as a Buddhist nun. She remained a nun for nine years.

T. Y. has received teachings over the years from many lamas, including Serkong Tsenshab Rinpoche, Geshe Ngawang Dhargye, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Ribur Rinpoche, Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Since those early days, she has lived and worked in FPMT centres around the world. In 1985 she moved to Australia, where she teaches, lead retreats and engages in other work within the FPMT.

Suggested Reading for Mind and its potential

• What is the Mind by His Holiness Dalai Lama (P 4 of Readings pdf)
• Happiness, Karma and Mind by His Holiness Dalai Lama (P9 of Readings pdf)
• Everything comes from the Mind by Lama Yeshe (P15 of Readings pdf)

Additional Required Reading for this course

• The Wish-Fulfilling Golden Sun (pp. 1-3) by Lama Zopa Rinpoche -pdf - (32 KB)
• The Wish-Fulfilling Golden Sun (pp. 44-50) by Lama Zopa Rinpoche -pdf - (48 KB)

• Becoming Your Own Therapist & Make Your Mind An Ocean by Lama Yeshe - (11.3 MB)

Suggestions for Further Study

The following books and video are suggested as additional resources for students who wish to deepen their understanding of the material in this course.

• Spiritual Friends: Meditations by Monks and Nuns of the International Mahayana Institute (Published by Wisdom Publications)
• Open Heart, Clear Mind by Thubten Chodron
• Mind and its Functions by Geshe Rabten
• Video: Ethics for the New Millennium, His Holiness the Dalai Lama
• Video: Overcoming Differences, His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Snow Lion Publications)
• Video: Heart of Tibet: An Intimate Profile of His Holiness the Dalai Lama