Dharma Study Session: Practicing with Intention

Sylvia Boorstein describes wise intention as “what keeps our lives heading in the right direction." Sometimes, however, unskillful intentions can send us in the wrong direction, a direction that causes stress or suffering for ourselves or others. That's because the intentions that shape our thoughts and actions can happen outside our conscious awareness, and can be both subtle and mixed.

Right or Wise Intention (also referred to as Wise Resolve) is the second step on the Eightfold Path, and is key in setting the tone and course for our actions. In this Dharma Study Session, we'll examine the Buddha's teachings on intention and learn how to identify unskillful and mixed intentions and to nurture wiser ones. We'll read sutta excerpts on intention from the Pali canon as well as teacher commentary on them. This session will also include a short meditation period in which to practice with the intentions our minds and hearts and plenty of time for discussion and Q&A.

A study guide will be provided the day of the session and available on the Dharma Study Session Home page afterward.    

Logistics

Online -- Zoom only: Please use this link to join. (Alternatively, go to https://zoom.us/, click the links to enter a meeting, and enter meeting ID 971-373-141 and password 879550.)

When: Saturday, Aug 6, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with a a short break in the middle. The session will start promptly, so if you are unsure of your Zoom or internet connection, please try to connect a few minutes early.

About the Study Session Leader

Katie Rhodes is a member of Red Clay Sangha. She has been a Buddhist practitioner for over 30 years, primarily in the Insight/Vipassana tradition. She uses mindfulness-based cognitive approaches in her work as a psychotherapist. She has a doctorate in clinical social work.

Questions? Please email Katie Rhodes