New York Shambhala Center presents:
Class on Buddhist Psychology and the Path of Meditation
Taught by Natalie Baker, MA
Online Class Thursdays 7-8:15 PM EST
June 13-July 11, 2024
What would it look like if the Buddha were born in today’s New York City? How would he present the dharma? This question was partially answered in the 1970s when Chögyam Trungpa left Tibet and introduced Buddhism to the West. Trungpa’s approach was unique; he framed Buddhism in psychological terms, making it relevant to Westerners. He focused on understanding and managing one’s thoughts and emotions.
In this online, four-week course, we will explore Trungpa’s influential work, which compiles lectures delivered to psychology and mental health students interested in Buddhism. Join us to discover how traditional Buddhist teachings can be applied in contemporary contexts.
About the Course:
Class 1: “The Essence of Meditation and Human Nature: Exploring Our Inherent Qualities” An introduction to the practice of meditation and a deep dive into the fundamental truths of human nature. We’ll explore the age-old question: Are humans fundamentally good or bad?
Class 2: “Universal Human Experiences and Understanding Ego in Buddhism: The Roots of Suffering” A study of the experiences shared by all humans and the concept of ‘ego’ from a Buddhist perspective. We will examine the reasons behind our pain and dissatisfaction.
Class 3: “The Six Realms: Navigating the Psychological States in Buddhism” An exploration of the Six Realms within Buddhism, representing various psychological and emotional states that influence our well-being.
Class 4: “The Nature of Karma: Addressing Life’s Challenges” A discussion on the principle of Karma, seeking to understand why adverse events occur to seemingly good people and the role of actions and consequences in our lives.
About the Teacher:
Natalie Baker has been practicing and studying Tibetan Buddhism for over 30 years. She has been a psychotherapist in private practice for 25 years and is currently living in Boulder, Colorado. Previously, she taught for the NY Shambhala Center for 20 years.
This event will be presented live on Zoom. To be sure that you receive the Zoom link in advance of the course, please register at least 24 hours in advance of the first class date. This class will be recorded, and recordings will be available to watch if you have to miss one of the class dates.
Lectures on Buddhist Psychology and Meditation
Listen to public lectures by Natalie Baker.
Everyday Buddhism 111
Natalie teaches from the strength of her own Buddhist practice, sharing the transformative power of mindfulness and meditation with others.
If I Don’t Have a Self Who Am “I”
Natalie Baker discusses the Buddhist concepts of ego and egolessness. If there is no “ego”, no “self”, no “me”, then who am I?
What’s Constant in Life?
The Buddha taught that there are three qualities of life that we can’t escape: impermanence, feeling unsatisfied, and selflessness. We typically know these qualities as the experience of surprise when things change, constantly wanting life to be different than it is, and not knowing who we are. What if these qualities were actually the stepping stones to appreciating life?
We Can Clean Up Our Messes
In the midst of great turmoil, the Buddhist teachings encourage us that all is not lost. Our fundamental nature is not problematic. We can clean up our messes.
Are We Addicted to Our Smart Phones?
We’re addicted to our phones. Can mindfulness help? Natalie Baker discusses why we relate to our phones as a lifeline, and how meditation can help us keep things in perspective.
Bringing Mindfulness and Compassion Into Our Conversations
Natalie Baker draws from the new book, “The Lost Art of Good Conversation” by Sakyong Mipham Riponche, as a basis for exploring how to communicate mindfully and how to avoid the pitfalls of communicating from negative emotions.
Making Friends With Loss
We all experience loss: a cherished possession; the end of a relationship; the death of a loved one… How does the path of meditation help us make friends with loss?
Getting Off The Emotional Rollercoaster
We spend so much time trying to avoid feeling bad. Sometimes even feeling good is difficult to accept. How do we get off this emotional roller coaster?
Mind Training: For When Bad Things Happen To Good People
When bad things happen it’s tempting to think we, or the world, are unworkable. Natalie Baker discusses some traditional Buddhist teachings about engaging with negative events as they arise.
How Fearlessness and Gentleness Armour Us In Today’s World
We all experience fear. How does the gentleness cultivated in meditation practice help us work with this experience? Is true fearlessness possible?
Listen also to a Meditation Podcast: The Practice of Kindness
Interested in Buddhist psychotherapy?
Schedule a consultation.