Guru Devotion: an exploration of the art and complexities of maintaining an open heart

It is said that devotion to the guru is at the heart of the path of awakening in Vajrayana Buddhism. The tradition is filled with incredible songs of praise and prayers of devotion and longing calling the guru from afar. These expressions of connection and wholesome relationship can be powerful aides in opening the heart. Such songs, despite their power and alluring beauty, can sometimes be hard to connect with in these current times.

Join us as we explore how to kindle, and in some cases re-kindle a sense of devotion, address questions around what guru devotion is and what it is not, around samaya and it's relationship to enlightenment and ask: what actually is enlightenment? How does guru devotion and samaya relate to being in relationship to having a teacher who one may never really get to know outside of an occasional large dharma gathering? What about when the guru is involved in ethical misconduct? How can practitioners address their complex emotions in situations like these?

This program is arising as a result of questions that have arisen from dharma practitioners in New Zealand, and we look forward to exploring this together with practitioners from around the world for the benefit of all.

This will be recorded and the recording will be made available for those who register.

Schedule:

October 4th: Exploring Guru Devotion

6:00pm - 9:00pm NYC livestream

3:00pm - 6:00pm LA livestream

11:00am - 2:00pm AUCKLAND livestream