The Bodhisattva Path, Concentration and Insight, with Jordan Van Voast
Goals: Participants in this class will be exposed to foundational Buddhist teachings designed to lead one on the spiritual path, create greater meaning in life, as well as planting the seeds for complete liberation and enlightenment. The course outline will draw from two main sources – 1. The Lam Rim (“Gradual Path”) genre of teachings of Tibetan Buddhism and 2. Teachings on Insight meditation (vipassana), compassion/loving kindness and mindfulness, found in a variety of Buddhist traditions.
Text: “Practicing the Path”, by Yangsi Rinpoche, published by Snow Lion. A limited number of copies are available for loan or gift (dana welcome). through DFF. (Not required, but highly recommended). E-book version or via Amazon (softcover).
Class Schedule: Saturdays, January 7, 14, and 21 from 8:30am to 9:30am
Class Format: (Online). Guided meditation, lecture, Q & A, and discussion. To register, signup on Zoom (link). Class recordings will be available on YouTube if you miss a class, or wish to review.
Cost: Free to attend, donations welcome to Dharma Friendship Foundation (donate on Paypal). The Buddhist concept of “dana” or generosity will be explained in the first class.
Pre-requisites: None, just a sincere intention to learn and develop your potential. Experienced meditators, people new to Buddhism, and people of all faiths and no faith are welcome. One does not need to be a Buddhist to participate.
Facilitator background: Jordan Van Voast, M.Ac. (he/him) began practicing TM meditation in high school. He met his first Buddhist teacher, Venerable Thubten Chodron in 1991 and attended weekly classes for many years before moving to India and studying at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives with Geshe Sonam Rinchen, and Geshe Dawa, attending regular teachings with His Holiness the Dalai Lama (2000-2002). He also completed a 3 month insight meditation course at Insight Meditation Society in 1999 with Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzburg. He is the co-President of the Dharma Friendship under the spiritual guidance of Yangsi Rinpoche, and works as a community acupuncturist in Seattle. He has also been active in racial justice and climate activism for many years. He has led classes at DFF for many years and taught meditation to individuals in a jail diversion program.