Mind has the ability to shine like the sun, freeing us from shadows, and
lighting the way to meaning, joy, and wisdom. Yet so many people today have the
opposite experience: a mind consumed by anxiety, frustration, loneliness, and
guilt. In this year-long program based on Tarthang Tulku's seminal book, "Gesture
of Great Love", we set off on a wisdom journey that transforms human
experience. Closely exploring the mental patterns that bind us, we learn how to
harvest the liberating powers of love and peace. Open to all who have taken at
least one other class at Dharma College
Testimonials
“I deeply appreciate having been able to receive the
Gesture of Great Love teaching online. The pace of the course was perfect and
the recordings made it more accessible for me. Symptoms of unwellness are being
less treated as objects, embraced more and I've been experiencing more ease and
joy. Some very still silent alive places
of being were touched towards the end of the course during the practices
together.”
Jacqueline A.
“What a privilege and luxury to be guided thru
this very special book by its editor and able interpreter! Than you, Robin, for
your thoughtful insights.
Howard H.
“Gesture of Great Love is an inspiring and generous
book, now being taught by a generous and inspiring teacher. This course is
highly recommended.”
Jonathan C.
Classes meet online for six or seven weeks a term, for 90 minutes a
week. Classes are recorded and you will have access to the recordings for six
months. Each week, there will be opportunity for close examination of the book,
experiential practice guided by the instructor, and class discussion. An online
community portal provides an easy and friendly way to become part of a global
community of fellow students.
Term 1 Sep 13-Oct 18, 2024
Week 1: A Path of Great Love
Week 2: Time, Understanding, and Inquiry
Week 3: Our Situation Now
Week 4: Joy is Essential
Week 5: Sharing Joy
Week 6: Understanding the Regime of Mind
Term 2 Nov 1-Dec 13, 2024
Week 1: Living in Delusion
Week 2: A Different Way of Being
Week 3: Meet the Gatekeepers
Week 4: Traveling Deeper Within
Thanksgiving Break
Week 5: The Role of Language
Week 6: Is/Is not
Term 3 Jan 10-Feb 21, 2025
Week 1: Establishing Identity
Week 2: Opening Structures of Self
Week 3: Seeing with Wise Eyes
Week 4: Inviting a Different Reality
Week 5: Mind Magic
Week 6: How the Regime Loses its Hold
Week 7: Revision and Practice
Term 4 Mar 7-April 18, 2025
Week 1: Offering Hugs and Kisses
Week 2: Play of Light
Week 3: Time and Identity
Week 4: Time's Dynamic
Week 5: Units of Suffering
Week 6: The Immediacy of the Instant
Week 7: Revision and Practice
Term 5 May 2-Jun 6, 2025
Week 1: Opening Fully
Week 2: Presence
Week 3: The Special Status of the Instant
Week 4: Certainty
Week 5: Unity-Wisdom
Week 6: The Heart of Being
Robin Caton holds a J.D. from the University of Michigan and an MFA in creative writing from Saint Mary's College of California. She is an attorney, poet and teacher who has studied Buddhism for many years, both at the Nyingma Institute and under the direction of Founding Head Lama Tarthang Tulku. Her published works include a volume of poetry, The Color of Dusk. Robin was the Director of Dharma College from 2010 to 2017.
Thomas Rogowski has been a student of Buddhism since 1992. He has attended the Human Development Program and the First Teacher Training Program at Nyingma Institute before volunteering at Odiyan Retreat Center from 1996 to 2003. He has worked intensively with Buddhist art and helped build Cintamani Temple. Originally trained as a teacher he returned to Switzerland where he helped raise his daughter Tara while teaching High School and later Vocational College. Following his other passion he has sailed extensively in the Mediterranean as well as the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
