Description
This year-long, online program offers a precious opportunity to learn within a committed and dedicated community (sangha) for an extended period of time. Together, we will explore how to live our lives fully and freely.
We will begin and end with day-long workshops. In between, we will meet on the second Friday evening of each month, except August. Dates are:
- Saturday, January 11: 10:00am – 4:00pm
- Fridays (6:30-8:00pm): February 14, March 14, April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11, September 12, October 10, and November 14.
- Saturday, December 6: 10:00am – 4:00pm
The Pāramī or the “Ten Perfections of the Heart” hold an important place in the Buddhist teachings. These ten qualities of an awakened mind enable us to live our daily lives in skillful, wise, and compassionate ways. When perfected, they can result in the liberation from our suffering. They are:
- Generosity
- Virtue or morality
- Renunciation
- Discernment or Wisdom
- Energy
- Patience
- Truthfulness
- Resolve
- Loving Kindness
- Equanimity
Together we will develop these inner qualities of heart and mind in our daily lives. Each month we will focus on one Pāramī and practice alternative ways to orient the heart and mind in the stream of daily activities: on Zoom, at work, at home, at school, in relationships, driving our cars or riding our bicycles. Realizing that each moment of our precious life is an opportunity to cultivate inner clarity and freedom, we will gradually nurture these qualities of heart and mind that can help us face the many difficulties of today’s world.
This program is designed for those willing to look deeply within and to practice in a contemplative and lively community. This year-long program is appropriate for all practitioners, new and experienced alike. Everyone is welcome. People who have taken this practice group before are encouraged to take it again, as the Pāramī grow deeper and more profound with practice. Each session will include meditation practice, teachings, exploration, and discussion of how to apply the Pāramī of the month in both formal meditation and daily life. At the end of the year, we will have come full cycle.
Our intention is to support your practice throughout your year-long commitment. In addition to class meetings, you will:
- Receive monthly reflections and practice assignments.
- Connect with your Dharma buddies, either weekly or monthly, to support each other and deepen your investigation.
- Read Ajahn Sucitto’s book, Pāramī: Ways to Cross Life’s Floods, which will be our shared text. You may download an ebook in PDF format through the Forest Sangha Publications website.
- Have the opportunity to join an optional four-day residential retreat intended for participants in this program, which will be held at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies (BCBS) in October, 2025.
Attending an online practice group
- Sitting a practice group from home online differs greatly from coming to a meditation center. Tending to your comfort and giving yourself a quiet, private sitting and walking space (if possible, in your environment) will help keep your attention focused and support your practice and learning. Plan to bring as much simplicity and ease to your day as possible. The schedule of the practice group is structured to support your well-being and practice with regular breaks and time for mindful movement.
- We use Zoom for online practice groups. Before your practice group begins, be sure to download Zoom and familiarize yourself with using the program, including the chat feature. Specifics about how we use Zoom during your practice group will be covered initially; however, we cannot provide technical support during the group.
- We ask that you treat our virtual meditation hall as if we were together in person, in the same room. The teachers and other yogis benefit greatly from your full presence and careful attention.
- Join each session of the practice group a few minutes early. This will support the teachers and your fellow attendees.
- Please maintain noble silence as much as possible for the duration of the practice group and take any necessary steps to limit external distractions such as incoming emails, texts, or other interruptions to maintain the integrity of our practice together. Close all programs on your computer other than Zoom and turn off all notifications on your devices.
- Power off your phones and smartwatches for the entire practice group. Please don’t check your devices during breaks. We suggest you put an “away” message on your email and voicemail and leave your devices in another room during the practice group.
- Please keep your video on during our time together as much as possible. This supports a sense of connectedness and sangha.
- You will receive a welcome email from CIMC a day or two before your program, including the Zoom link, practice group schedule, and further information.