Making Friends with Ourselves

Making Friends with Ourselves:

Practice in Everyday Life 1

with Spomenka Chekerevatz and Cindy Cooper

26-27 January 2008

Weekend Event at St. Mary's Convent, London

Making friends with ourselves is the first and necessary step in approaching the path of Dharma. In Buddhist tradition it is called Maitri – directing love toward oneself.  In essence it is discovering and aligning with our deepest heart wish – that of lasting happiness for ourselves and others.  <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Making friends with ourselves is no different from making friends with all our experience, including all other beings.  When we truly recognise and align with our heart wish, we are ready to start practising the Dharma in a wholehearted way, the way that benefits both ourselves and others.

During the weekend, we will be exploring (through teachings, guided reflections and small group discussions) the ways we work against ourselves—perhaps even being an enemy to ourselves—and  how to let go of those habits and approach all our experience with kindness and gentleness.

Taught by senior students of Lama Shenpen, this weekend is part of an on-going series on Practice in Everyday Life. While entirely suitable for newcomers, some familiarity with the Discovering the Heart of Buddhism course will be helpful. 

This weekend is open to everyone, and it is fine to come to either one or both days.

Saturday: 10:00am-5:30pm

Sunday: 9:00am to 5:30pm

The cost is £15 per day. Please also bring vegetarian food for a 'bring and share' group lunch on both days. To ease serving and clearing up, food should be already prepared and ready to serve.

All London weekend courses are held at the St. Mary's Convent, Priory Field Drive, Edgware, Middx, HA8 9PZ (a 15-minute walk from Edgware tube station).

There is limited accommodation at St Mary's Convent for ┬ú15 per night, including breakfast. It is essential to book this accommodation in advance by emailing  [email protected]ku.gro.sha@nodnolnisdnekeew .

For more detailed information about weekends at St. Mary's click here.

For more information on London courses and Sangha events in general, see the booklet An Introduction to Awakened Heart Sangha Events or Frequently Asked Questions about events.