A Ten Week Journey into the Heart Practices
with Robert Beatty
Wednesdays February 18 - May 6.
Hybrid: Live and Online
Hybrid: Live and Online
We're all Searching for Happiness
We try so many paths: achievement, substances, intensity, distraction, the perfect relationship, the next purchase. Some work for a while. Most leave us emptier than before.
And meanwhile, the world seems to be falling apart. Climate catastrophe. Political chaos. Aging. Loss. It's easy—almost natural—to sink into depression and hopelessness.
But there's another way.
A few nights ago, I met a young man on a street corner asking for food. In that moment, something opened in my heart. Not pity. Not obligation. Pure love—spontaneous, uncomplicated, natural. The kind that arises when we remember our fundamental interconnection.
This love is always available. And it's profoundly practical. It is just obscured by greed, hatred and fear.
And meanwhile, the world seems to be falling apart. Climate catastrophe. Political chaos. Aging. Loss. It's easy—almost natural—to sink into depression and hopelessness.
But there's another way.
A few nights ago, I met a young man on a street corner asking for food. In that moment, something opened in my heart. Not pity. Not obligation. Pure love—spontaneous, uncomplicated, natural. The kind that arises when we remember our fundamental interconnection.
This love is always available. And it's profoundly practical. It is just obscured by greed, hatred and fear.
The Four Heart Practices
Over ten weeks, we'll cultivate the brahma viharas—four qualities that the Buddha called "immeasurable" because they have no limits:
Metta (Lovingkindness) - Unconditional friendliness toward ourselves and all beings
Karuna (Compassion) - The capacity to be present with suffering without being destroyed by it
Mudita (Sympathetic Joy) - Genuine delight in others' happiness and success
Upekkha (Equanimity) - Staying open-hearted and balanced even when things fall apart
These are not unattainable lofty ideals. They're trainable capacities that transform how we meet each moment—including the hardest ones.
Metta (Lovingkindness) - Unconditional friendliness toward ourselves and all beings
Karuna (Compassion) - The capacity to be present with suffering without being destroyed by it
Mudita (Sympathetic Joy) - Genuine delight in others' happiness and success
Upekkha (Equanimity) - Staying open-hearted and balanced even when things fall apart
These are not unattainable lofty ideals. They're trainable capacities that transform how we meet each moment—including the hardest ones.
What We'll Do
Each session includes:
We'll draw from two profound texts:
- Guided meditation practice
- Dharma teachings
- Group discussion and sharing
- Weekly practices for daily life
We'll draw from two profound texts:
- Sharon Salzberg's Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness
- Pema Chödrön's Awakening Loving-Kindness
This Changes How We Live
When our hearts are genuinely open, we become more capable—more resilient, more clear-headed, more able to respond rather than react.
We can read the news without spiraling into despair.
We can witness our aging body with tenderness.
We can meet difficult people with boundaries AND compassion.
We can love that young man on the corner—and mean it.
We can read the news without spiraling into despair.
We can witness our aging body with tenderness.
We can meet difficult people with boundaries AND compassion.
We can love that young man on the corner—and mean it.
Open to Everyone
No meditation experience required. Just willingness to practice and explore whether genuine love, compassion, joy, and peace might actually be possible.
When: 10 Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00 PM Pacific February 18 - May 6.
Feb 18, 25, Mar 4, 11, 18, 25, Apr 1, 15, 22, May 6
Where: HYBRID: In person at 7645 SW 84th Ave., Portland, OR 97223 OR Online Via Zoom.
Suggested Contribution: $300 for the full 10-week course
Questions: Email Robert [email protected]
Sliding scale available. …. if the suggested contribution presents a hardship please still follow the instructions to register. You will find a $0 registration link which will save your place. It will also give directions for contributing what you can.
REGISTER HERE for in-person event
REGISTER HERE for online event