Beautiful Friendship (kalyanamitta)
A Dharma Study Session with Katie Rhodes
April 27th, 2024, 9:00 to noon, Zoom only
Happiness is having friends
when need arises. (Dhp, 331-333)
When asked about his path to Awakening, the Buddha declares the first essential condition is finding a good friend (AN 9.1).
Friendships (kalyanamitta) are a blessing in our lives. They offer a great arena for practice. Friendships can be sources of inspiration, energy, support, and direction on the Buddhist path.
Friendships can also be difficult. They may shed light on how willing we are to be vulnerable and intimate. It can be challenging to cultivate and sustain deep friendships in our fast-past society where loneliness and isolation are epidemic.
In this three-hour study session we’ll follow a study guide of selected readings from the Pali Canon to hear the Buddha's teachings about friendship. We’ll talk about relational dharma, the contemporary obstacles to deep and enduring friendship, and practices that support spiritual friendship.
We’ll use Insight Dialogue to guide the discussion. This contemplative relational practice can support our capacity to offer and receive the flow of generous openness with others.
No experience is needed take part in this study session. I hope you will be able to join me as we explore beautiful friendship together.
Logistics
Zoom: Please use this link to join by Zoom. (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, April 27th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with a short break in the middle. The session will start promptly, so please be on-time. If you are unsure of your Zoom or internet connection, please try to connect a few minutes early.
Study Guide: Beautiful Friendship Dharma Study Guide.pdf
About the Study Session Leaders
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