Awakening Joy Group

A Five Month Course
February through June

I’m excited to announce that I will be leading an Awakening Joy Group starting in mid-February. Some of you may be familiar with the book Awakening Joy by James Baraz and Shoshona Alexander, but if you’re not, it’s a delight. Many of you are aware that I’m generally skeptical of anything that promises 10 steps to a better anything, but after working with the material for nine years, I’m a believer. James has been teaching the course since 2003, and I’m honored to participate in his first teacher training.

Awakening Joy is an internationally recognized course…designed to awaken joy through exciting themes and practices that incline the mind toward well-being and deeper insight.

The class is grounded in solid Buddhist teachings and also utilizes what we’re learning from neuroscience. Ten themes will be investigated over the course of five months:

  • Intention
  • Mindfulness
  • Gratitude
  • Joy in Difficult Times
  • Integrity
  • The Joy of Letting Go
  • Loving Ourselves
  • Connection with Others
  • Compassion
  • The Joy of Being

We can so easily become overwhelmed by the greed, hatred and ignorance that seem to be running rampant in our world. It’s more important than ever that we learn to cultivate goodness and joy while not turning away from reality. It’s a practice of building resilience which will serve us well, and can only enable us to help others.

Specifics:

  • Enrollment will be capped at eight participants
  • We will have on-line meetings of 90 minutes twice a month beginning Feb 18. These will be recorded. We will meet in person occasionally if feasible. Time is to be determined.
  • Cost: $200 to enroll in the Awakening Joy course with James Baraz (Promo code OnLine-031). This gives you access to all the materials. Financial support is available.
  • Buy the book.
  • Commitment to the practice.

If this interests you at all, or if you have any questions, please let me know. I’m looking forward to a rich and rewarding journey as we move through this material.
To get a flavor of the practice, check out my dharma talk on Awakening Joy.