Buddhist Psychology Course for Life-Affirming Living
Awakening, relief from suffering, and a life rooted in love, compassion and kindness are not just nice ideas found in ancient teachings. They are an experiential, living truth which are available to you, here and now.
Dear Friend,
I am emerging from a year-long, life-changing crisis that has profoundly altered my being. My worldview has been shattered. My outer world turned upside down, and an inner tsunami has changed everything. This has humbled me and has resulted in a new quality of compassion and wisdom. The ubiquitous nature of dukkha, the brevity of life, and the fact that everything can fall apart or vanish in a moment are all present and alive within me.
I now realize that when I first met Theravada Buddhism in Asia in 1971, I came with a depressed personality and profound personal insecurities. I heard in the Buddhist teachings an invitation to "get enlightened and be done with life, to get out of here, to not be reborn." This misinterpretation has lived in the shadows deep inside me through my many years of teaching. This sort of nihilistic foundation has resulted in a certain dark slant in my teaching. All along, however, there has been a call from within that was demanding a more life-affirming approach. I have introduced the talking stick, deep sharing from the heart, dyadic practices, music, poetry and deep engagement with students—all of which reflect a living Dharma.
With this personal crisis—this awakening to life's fragility and preciousness—I find myself naturally evolving into a Buddhism that is life-affirming, that encourages learning deeply through relationships, and that understands awakening to be enhanced by becoming a more authentic person, and more fully engaged with life. When you truly understand that everything is impermanent, you don't want to waste a moment trying to escape from the realities and gifts of being alive.
Of course, my teaching will always include the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, the law of karma, the four foundations of mindfulness, the three characteristics of existence, and the need for developing deep, meditative understanding and experience of the present moment. In addition, it is clear to me that progress in meditation does not arise from more and more discipline, but is catalyzed by the skillful encounters and loving connection that we experience with others.
I am emerging from a year-long, life-changing crisis that has profoundly altered my being. My worldview has been shattered. My outer world turned upside down, and an inner tsunami has changed everything. This has humbled me and has resulted in a new quality of compassion and wisdom. The ubiquitous nature of dukkha, the brevity of life, and the fact that everything can fall apart or vanish in a moment are all present and alive within me.
I now realize that when I first met Theravada Buddhism in Asia in 1971, I came with a depressed personality and profound personal insecurities. I heard in the Buddhist teachings an invitation to "get enlightened and be done with life, to get out of here, to not be reborn." This misinterpretation has lived in the shadows deep inside me through my many years of teaching. This sort of nihilistic foundation has resulted in a certain dark slant in my teaching. All along, however, there has been a call from within that was demanding a more life-affirming approach. I have introduced the talking stick, deep sharing from the heart, dyadic practices, music, poetry and deep engagement with students—all of which reflect a living Dharma.
With this personal crisis—this awakening to life's fragility and preciousness—I find myself naturally evolving into a Buddhism that is life-affirming, that encourages learning deeply through relationships, and that understands awakening to be enhanced by becoming a more authentic person, and more fully engaged with life. When you truly understand that everything is impermanent, you don't want to waste a moment trying to escape from the realities and gifts of being alive.
Of course, my teaching will always include the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, the law of karma, the four foundations of mindfulness, the three characteristics of existence, and the need for developing deep, meditative understanding and experience of the present moment. In addition, it is clear to me that progress in meditation does not arise from more and more discipline, but is catalyzed by the skillful encounters and loving connection that we experience with others.
This course emerges from thattransformation - a Buddhism thatsays YES to life. |
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How Traditional Teachings Look Through a Life-Affirming Lens
Through this approach, the Four Noble Truths become an invitation to engage more fully with life rather than escape from it. Suffering becomes a teacher that deepens our compassion and connection. The Eightfold Path becomes a way of living with greater authenticity and love in our relationships, work, and creative expression. Mindfulness becomes not just witnessing our experience, but engaging with it wholeheartedly. The three characteristics of existence—impermanence, suffering, and non-self—become gateways to appreciating the preciousness of each moment and our deep interconnection with all life.
What You Can Expect from Our Relational Approach to Meditation
Rather than sitting in isolation focusing solely on your breath or thoughts, you'll discover meditation as a way of meeting life and others with greater presence and skill. We practice together, sharing our insights and challenges. You'll learn to meditate with your emotions rather than trying to transcend them, to bring mindful awareness into conversations and conflicts, and to find the sacred in your daily interactions. This isn't meditation as escape from relationship—it's meditation as the foundation for deeper, more authentic connection.
How this Course Embodies those Principles
Every aspect of our time together reflects this life-affirming approach. We begin each session sharing from the heart about our experiences. We practice meditation together, learning from each other's insights. We explore how the week's teaching applies to your actual relationships, work situations and creative expressions.
Course Details
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Course Structure
Duration: 9 weeks Format: Weekly 2-hour sessions Approach: Heart-centered Buddhist psychology Text: "The Wise Heart" by Jack Kornfield Community: Intimate group of 8-16 participants |
What You'll Learn
✓ Heart-centered meditation practices ✓ Emotional intelligence and integration ✓ Relationships as spiritual practice ✓ Creative expression as dharma ✓ Work and service from the heart ✓ Community building skills |
Investment
Full Course: $360
Early Registration: $300 (before September 1)
Scholarships: Nobody should be turned away for lack of funds. Please contact us.
Includes course materials, guided meditations, and ongoing community access
Full Course: $360
Early Registration: $300 (before September 1)
Scholarships: Nobody should be turned away for lack of funds. Please contact us.
Includes course materials, guided meditations, and ongoing community access
Course Schedule
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Wednesdays 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Week 1 | September 17 Introduction to The Awakened Heart Reading: Wise Heart - Intro & Ch. 1 Week 2 | October 1 Heart-Centered Mindfulness Reading: Wise Heart - Ch. 2-3 Week 3 | October 8 Emotions as Sacred Teachers Reading: Wise Heart - Ch. 4-6 Week 4 | October 15 Awakened Heart in Relationships Reading: Wise Heart - Ch. 7-9 Week 5 | November 19 Creativity and Expression Reading: Wise Heart - Ch. 10-12 |
Week 6 | November 26 Work, Service & Engaged Heart Reading: Wise Heart - Ch. 13-15 Week 7 | December 3 Aging, Death & Fearless Heart Reading: Wise Heart - Ch. 16-18 Week 8 | December 10 Building Heart Communities Reading: Wise Heart - Ch. 19-21 Week 9 | December 17 Integration & Living the Awakened Heart Reading: Wise Heart - Ch. 22-24 |
Registration & Contact
Next Course Starts: September 17, 2025
Location: [Location/Online]
Time: Wednesdays 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Phone: 503-706-9660
Email: [email protected]
Website: robertbeatty.com
Location: [Location/Online]
Time: Wednesdays 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Phone: 503-706-9660
Email: [email protected]
Website: robertbeatty.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous meditation experience?
No, though any experience is welcome. We teach heart-centered meditation from the beginning.
How is this different from other Buddhist courses?
I emphasize engagement rather than detachment, emotions as teachers rather than obstacles, and finding the sacred in relationships, work, and creativity.
What if I miss a session?
Each session is recorded for makeup, and I provide individual support to help you stay connected.
Is this a religious course?
While based in Buddhist psychology, it's presented as practical wisdom for anyone, regardless of religious background.
What happens after the 9 weeks?
I offer ongoing practice groups, advanced courses, and teacher training for those who want to continue.
No, though any experience is welcome. We teach heart-centered meditation from the beginning.
How is this different from other Buddhist courses?
I emphasize engagement rather than detachment, emotions as teachers rather than obstacles, and finding the sacred in relationships, work, and creativity.
What if I miss a session?
Each session is recorded for makeup, and I provide individual support to help you stay connected.
Is this a religious course?
While based in Buddhist psychology, it's presented as practical wisdom for anyone, regardless of religious background.
What happens after the 9 weeks?
I offer ongoing practice groups, advanced courses, and teacher training for those who want to continue.