Opening the Heart: The Buddhist Practice of Compassion with Austin Seeley & Ann Bruck

“All the joy the world contains has come through wishing happiness for others. All the misery the world contains has come from wanting pleasure for oneself.”  — Santideva Compassion is a central teaching on the Buddhist path, yet it is often misunderstood. Buddhist compassion is not simply about being nice or self-sacrificing, nor is it about feeling pity for others from a place of superiority. Instead, compassion is practiced as a way to wake up, to free oneself from the narrow, self-centered mindset of "I, me, mine." In Buddhism, compassion is practiced at eye level—rooted in warmth and free from self-reference. It opens the heart without placing oneself above or apart from others. In this workshop, we will explore the classic Buddhist meditations known as the Four Limitless Ones. These contemplative practices cultivate an unconditioned wish for all beings—including friends, strangers, and even those we find difficult—to be happy, free from suffering, filled with joy, and released from destructive emotions like passion and aggression. By uncovering a mind of openness and generosity, we begin to see a much wider world—one in which we are not the central figure. This shift in perspective becomes the foundation for genuine, compassionate action in our everyday lives. “Compassion and love are not mere luxuries. As the source of both inner and external peace, they are fundamental to the continued survival of our species."   — Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama   Our Approach: 2500 years ago, the Buddha recognized fundamental truths about the human experience. The Shambhala Meditation Center of Boston proudly continues the living tradition of these teachings, with a particular connection to the rich Kagyu and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. As part of our <a href="https://boston.shambhala.org/buddhist-path/">Walking the Buddhist Path</a> series, we will explore this topic with both intellect and intuition. You will learn how to engage dharma teachings, contemplate and investigate them for yourself, and ultimately grasp their underlying wisdom. Through talks, readings, guided contemplation, self-reflection and discussions, we will explore the transformative power of acknowledging suffering in our experience, develop insight into how it is caused through confusion, and why we consistently grab the problem the wrong way around. We will look at the possibility of ending suffering and leave with tools to begin to discover freedom.  Who should join? This program is for those who are ready to investigate difficult truths, and willing to see their own participation in the chain of suffering. No prior study is required. Everyone is welcome, no matter what level of practice.

Shambhala Boston 

S22: conversations

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S11: happening this weekend

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S21: roundups

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S28: calendar experiences

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S20: c+d experiences

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S16: editor picks

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S17: interest based

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S19: interest based

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S18: interest based

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Opening the Heart: The Buddhist Practice of Compassion with Austin Seeley & Ann Bruck

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