A Year Long Course: Connecting to Freedom

Orientation Meeting: Friday, Feb 5, 2021 8-9am MST
LIVE Classes: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each Month, 7-8:30am MST beginning Feb 16th

Prequisite: Intro to Meditation Course with Denise or at least of year of Buddhist-based meditation practice. (Please contact me if you have questions).

Do you want more joy & ease in your life? More health in relation to yourself and your world? In this year long course, we dive deeply into the practices that lead from suffering and struggling to freedom, joy and ease.

Throughout this year together, we will study the foundational teachings of Buddhism and engage in a series of practices designed to increase happiness, ease, kindness and freedom. Along the way, we will develop habits that help us maintain a sense of freedom even in difficult circumstances. The course will include live classes, meditation practices, individual session opportunities and homework that includes reading and practices. The weekly time commitment will vary, depending on your time availability. But I recommend “time budgeting” for a minimum of 3 hours per week, which includes the every other week Zoom call. I am excited to explore this territory with a dedicated community, with the intention of bringing more peace and care to the world.

By the end of this course, you will have received the core teachings that lead us to freedom. Then…. We simply have to remember to practice, practice, practice them. I hope you can join us!

Monthly Class Framework

Readings related to each topic (sent out at the beginning of each month)
Home Practices based on the topics
1.5 hour live class twice a month, 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 7-8:30am (and all classes will be recorded in the event that you can't attend live). Includes: Teaching on the topic for the month, Meditation practice related to the topic, Q and A – covering topics and practice questions
Monthly 30 minute (optional) Individual meeting with Denise

Syallabus

February 2021 - Course Orientation – Friday, February 5^th, 8am (it will be recorded if you can’t make it), First homework

March 2021 - Four Noble Truths & Daily Practice

April 2021 - Four Foundations of Mindfulness & Savoring Life

May 2021 - Five Hindrances in Meditation Practice & Gratitude

June and July 2021 - Eightfold Path & Forgiveness

August and September 2021 - Four Divine Abodes & Generosity

October and November 2021 - Seven Factors of Awakening & Deep Listening

December 2021 - Three Aspects of Existence as a Support for Freedom & Connection

January and February 2022 - Teachings on Emptiness and Freedom & Committing to Ease

Due to the multiple methods of donating for this course, there isn’t a Donate link option in the registration. So, options to donate for the course are listed here:

Via Card (for monthly donation or in full for the 12 months): please go to deniseackert.com and click on Donate page
Via check: Denise Ackert, School of Mindful Ways, PO Box 1610, Salida, CO 81201
Via Venmo: denise-ackert

Suggested Dana: $100-300/month (and no one will be turned away by an inability to donate – plz contact me for information about this)