Exploring Buddhist Spirituality: An Experiental Seminar Series

Decatur United Church of Christ announces a unique seminar series titled, Exploring Buddhist Spirituality. This series will consider topics including Buddhist spirituality, compassion, and the integration of Buddhist practice within a Christian context. The three seminar series is facilitated by experts in Buddhist and Christian spirituality. Each session will include presentations, discussions, and time for silent meditation. Participants need no background in either the Buddhist or Christian traditions or with the practice of meditation. At the same time, those with a practice of meditation will discover new depth from the seminars. The seminars may be attended individually, but the series is designed as a program with content that expands on the previous sessions.

October 14: Buddhism – A Spiritual Path 7:00 to 8:30 PM

Explore key concepts of Buddhism that are found throughout its various forms and traditions including the four truths of Buddhism regarding suffering and freedom for suffering; the impermanent nature of things; and the importance of right living.

October 28: A Buddhist Understanding of Compassion 7:00 to 8:30 PM

A key component is Buddhism is compassion. His Holiness, the Dali Lama, describes compassion as a universal human experience and believes it is the proper foundation for all ethics.

November 11: Integrating Buddhist Spirituality with Christian Beliefs 7:00 to 8:30 PM

Many of the practices of Buddhism are also practices in the Christian contemplative traditions. Explore some of the similarities between these two spiritual paths.

October 14 and 28 will be led by Pamela Ayo Yetunde. Ayo began practicing mindfulness meditation in 2001 as a volunteer with Zen Hospice Project. She has studied Buddhism in the Insight Meditation tradition, including Buddhist chaplaincy at Sati Center for Buddhist Studies. Ayo completed Spirit Rock Meditation Center’s Community Dharma Leader program and as a pastoral counselor, leads meditation groups at a mental health organization. She is the author of Vigil: Spiritual Reflections on your Money and Sanity and www.dharmacare.com.

November 11 will be led by the Rev. Dr. Lou Kavar. Lou began practicing Christian contemplation in 1979 after studying with the late Fr. Basil Pennington, a founder of the Centering Prayer Movement. Later, Lou had the opportunity to explore Buddhism under the direction of Roshi Pat Hawk. Lou is the author of seven books and has lectured internationally on spiritual development. He maintains a blog on spiritual practice found at www.loukavar.com.

The seminar series is open to the public and free of charge, but donations are requested.

Decatur United Church of Christ, located at 2495 Lawrenceville Highway, west of the I-285 exchange, is an open and affirming congregation. For further information, call: 404-373-2933.

Learn more about Decatur United Church of Christ by visiting: http://www.decaturucc.org/

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