Are we on the brink of ecological disaster? Climate disruption
is accelerating. Social cohesion is frayed. There is hope and opportunity to
restore our planet, “a great turning,” but we may also have to go through “a
great unravelling.”
Buddhist Contemplative practice, western Philosophy, Science
and Literature, and the wisdom of Indigenous people will inform our inquiry
into how we and the whole web of life on Earth can live and prosper into the
far future.
Our learning objective is to engage environmental crisis
through Contemplative Ecology, including meditative and contemplative practices
and exercises from Tarthang Tulku. We will explore Anthropology, Psychiatry,
Evolution, Epistemology, Systems and Complexity theory, the Wisdom of Plants,
Indigenous ritual, Buddhist Philosophy and Western Phenomenology.
Classes meet online
for six weeks, 1.5 hours a week. Classes are recorded and accessible for six
months. Each week features short presentations, experiential exercises, and
discussion.
Week 1: Introduction to Deep
Ecology
Week 2: The Ecosystem
Week 3: Contemplative Ecology
Week 4: Embodied Knowing
Week 5: The Pattern that Connects.
Week 6: Becoming Indigenous
to a Place
Bob Dozor is the Medical Director of the Integrative Medical Clinic of Santa Rosa and the Nyingma Senior Retreat Center at Ratna Ling. He holds a BA from the University of Chicago in the history and philosophy of science and an MD from the University of California, San Francisco. He has been a student of Buddhism since the 1960’s and a student of Venerable Tarthang Tulku since 1972.
Rosalyn White has studied
meditation and Tibetan art under the guidance of the Tibetan Buddhist teacher,
Tarthang Tulku, since 1972. She holds a BFA in Fine Arts from the California
College of Art and a teaching credential from UC Berkeley. She has been teaching
classes in meditation and sacred art for over 40 years. She has worked in the
Nyingma Community since 1975, illustrating Dharma Publishing and Yeshe De books
and contributing designs for the Odiyan retreat center. She also managed Dharma
Publishing for two years, the Tibetan Aid Project for ten years and Ratna Ling
Retreat Center for seven years.