Essential Buddhist Teachings on Awakening: The Path of Sila (Ethics)

The Buddha presented us with a very clear and available path to awakening: the Eightfold Path. The Buddha’s teachings have given practitioners a very pragmatic formula to help us with the following:

1. To clearly see the truth of our human existence

2. To act wisely to not cause harm to ourselves and others

3. To sit contemplatively with our own hearts and minds

In this workshop, we will focus on the second aspect of the eightfold path: acting wisely to not cause harm to ourselves and others, often called our ethical practice. Using the foundation of the Buddhist Precepts, we will reflect, discuss, and learn how to practice with these teachings in a nonjudgmental, inclusive, and experiential way. How we show up in the world and with ourselves matters…Let’s put the rubber to the road.

Special guest Rolf Gates will offer yoga movement as an experiential learning process to practice the principles of yoga and experience how mindful movement can help support awakening.

This workshop is part of Esalen’s property-wide Essential Buddhist Teachings on Awakening silent retreat. On Saturday evening, the group will come together with the other Buddhist workshops in order to discuss and explore the differing and complementary perspectives of Buddhist teachings from different traditions.

Note: Outside of class sessions, the community will remain in social silence in order to allow a deepening relationship to self, to one another, and to nature.