WAY OF THE WARRIOR

WITH DAVID NICHTERN & LARRY MERMELSTEIN

“IF SOMEONE IS WILLING TO LOOK AT HIMSELF OR HERSELF, TO EXPLORE AND PRACTICE WAKEFULNESS ON THE SPOT, HE OR SHE IS A WARRIOR.”

~Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche

This is a powerful time to be alive. Despite the chaos and uncertainty we are all facing, and perhaps because of it, we find ourselves digging deeper for some kind of basic human wisdom to help address and transform these challenges.

In these teachings as presented by Chögyam Trungpa, a warrior is someone who manifests kindness, courage, discipline, and self-awareness - beyond aggression - even in the face of seemingly overwhelming obstacles.

Smile at Fear: Awakening the True Heart of Bravery is a classic homage and contemporary practical guide to the spirit of the warrior in any time and place. These teachings are especially compelling right now in the face of a global pandemic, geo-political conflict, and ecological crisis - all of which are threatening the fabric of civilization as we know it.

Closely linked with the Buddhist practices of mindfulness and awareness, but also having its own independent basis, the warrior’s training teaches us how to uplift our lives and activate the inherent dignity and confidence that is always inherently present within us.

In this class we will be exploring the way of the warrior - including readings from Trungpa’s book, talks by David and Larry - laced with personal recollections of the setting and atmosphere of the initial transmission of these teachings, and group discussions and meditation practice.

YOUR TEACHERS

David Nichtern

David Nichtern is a senior teacher in the lineage of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. This tradition combines a contemporary, secular approach to meditation with the ancient practices and philosophies of Tibetan Buddhism.

David is also a four-time Emmy winner and two-time Grammy nominee, and a successful entrepreneur with over 40 years of experience integrating spiritual practice and everyday living. He is the author of Awakening From The Daydream; Re-imaging The Buddha’s Wheel of Life and Creativity Spirituality and Making A Buck on Wisdom Publications.

Larry Mermelstein

Beginning in 1971, Larry Mermelstein became a close student of the Venerable Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Tibetan Buddhist meditation master and scholar. He served as an acharya (senior teacher) in the Vajradhatu/Shambhala community for twenty years, as well as being a member of the board of directors for nearly that long.

He is a founding member and the executive director of the Nalanda Translation Committee for over forty years and is a long-time consulting editor to Shambhala Publications.