The Four Noble Truths - evening classes (Thursdays 25 Feb – 18 Mar 2010)
Buddha's popular teaching on the Four Noble Truths offers a clear and simple solution to our problems, helping us to cultivate an oasis of peace within our hearts. This four week course will reveal the nature and source of our problems and explain methods to permanently overcome them.
Each class is a self-contained unit, so it doesn’t matter if you have missed any or all of the previous classes. (However each class also builds on the previous, so it is more beneficial to come regularly if you can). This course is suitable for new comers as well as more experienced meditators. You don't need to sign up in advance, you can just show up for the class. The classes are taught by Robert Klein in English.
Address & directions to the venue
Dates: 25th Ferbuary, 4th, 11th and 18th March
Time: Thursdays 6.30 - 8.00pm
Venue: Kajuutta, Selkämerenkatu 10, Ruoholahti, Helsinki.
Nearest subway and tram station: Ruoholahti
Fees (cash only): 7 € per class or 20 € for the whole course
(4 classes)
What to expect at a meditation class
The classes are based on a special presentation of authentic Buddhist teachings that have been made relevant for modern westerners. You will learn practical meditations that you can immediately apply in your daily life. These classes are meant for everyone so it’s not at all necessary to be a Buddhist to attend. We sit in ordinary chairs and no special clothing is necessary.
In each class there are two guided meditations and a presentation of an aspect of Buddhist philosophy. The first guided meditation is generally a relaxation and breathing mediation and lasts about 10 minutes. The presentation lasts 30 – 40 minutes. The final meditation is related to the talk, and last 20 – 30 minutes. After the meditation there is a chance to ask questions.
Why meditation?
Meditation is a method for familiarizing our mind with good qualities and thereby overcoming a lot of problems that arise from negative states of mind. For example if we familiarize our mind with patience we would be able to solve a lot of our daily problems that are caused by anger.
Meditation isn’t necessarily a strange or tedious practice. It is very beneficial and easy to integrate into our busy lifestyles. For people who have realized the benefits of meditation, it becomes a vital part of daily life, just like eating or brushing teeth. Through meditation we can reduce stress and anxiety, increase positive states of mind and experience greater contentment and well-being.
Meditation is not confined to our meditation pillow. Our daily life provides us a lot of opportunities to familiarize ourself with positive states of mind, thereby we can transform our problems into something positive.
we shall be happy all the time,
even in the most adverse conditions...
-Geshe Kelsang Gyatso-