November, 2007
Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship
Raleigh, NC
Issue 224

Don Brown

An Evening of Tibetan Buddhism ~
The Faith of the Dalai Lama

Do you want happiness and to avoid suffering? Most of us would resoundingly answer, “Yes.” The Buddhist religion is a profound psychology with powerful methods for transforming ordinary mundane life into an experience of genuine lasting peace and joy - which is what we all want. Buddhist mindscience and methods have been tested and proven effective for over 2500 years; Buddhism’s approach to a happy and successful life seems exactly the opposite of the pedestrian mentality of mainstream America.

Our speaker, Dr. Don Brown, will touch on the basic teachings of the Buddha as presented in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Tibetan Buddhism has preserved, in an unbroken lineage, the entirety of Buddha’s teachings—his discourses, the bodhisattva (compassionate and wise beyond belief) path, and all four levels of tantra.

Within Buddhism there are many meditation techniques to suit the dispositions of various students, and a qualified spiritual mentor is needed for guidance through the maze of teachings and methods. With commitment and effort we can transform our confused, garbage collecting mentalities into unconditional love, compassion, power, and skillful means. This requires the sometimes-difficult work of facing our own delusions and developing our enlightened potentials. But what could be more rewarding for our families, our communities, and ourselves?

Tantra, the speedy path to enlightenment—but not the easiest—is the crown jewel of the Buddhist methods for transformation. Motivated by a realization of wisdom and compassion, and utilizing creative imagination, we see ourselves being Buddhas immediately. We learn skillful yogic methods to harness ordinary blissful physical and psychic energies to penetrate more deeply and quickly the meaning of reality.

Don will describe the prerequisites of a qualified tantric practitioner.

Dr. Brown is a family physician practicing in Cary for the past twenty years. He has studied Tibetan Buddhism for almost three decades and has extensive experience teaching and leading meditation retreats. He was introduced to Tibetan Buddhism in 1978 at Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he received teachings from Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Since then, he has been taught by many qualified Buddhist masters including His Holiness the Dalai Lama. At various times he has lived, for a total of about two years, in India, Nepal, Tibet, Japan, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, studying and practicing Buddhism.

In 1987 he began teaching introductory courses in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and meditation in the Triangle. The students from those classes formed the nucleus of what is now the Kadampa Center for the Practice of Tibetan Buddhism in Raleigh. The center has a robust teaching schedule; a fully qualified resident Tibetan Lama, Geshe Gelek; and approximately 200 members. Don served as the founding director of the center and is still actively involved in teaching introductory courses. He particularly enjoys attempting to translate sometimes confusing or esoteric Buddhist subjects into everyday, put-it-into-practice-right-now language. The best way to benefit from Buddhist teachings, he says, is to listen with an open, discerning, and uncluttered mind. Buddhism is presented as an invitation. Reportedly, the Buddha invited people to “come and see for yourself…test the teachings like you would assay gold.” In other words, we are asked to check out the Buddhist approach carefully to see if it fits our experience and if it is helpful; personal experience is the key, and critical thinking is encouraged. What a breath of fresh air!

For more information, contact www.kadampa-center.org

 



 
Calendar of Events

November 1 , 2007 - Don Brown
Tibetan Buddhism
**********

December 6 , 2007 - Dan Chesbro
Order of Melchizedek
**********

January 3, 2008- Bernie Ashman
Our Annual Astrological Forecast
**********
 
SFF Raleigh Mission
At the Raleigh Chapter of Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship International, our mission is to enhance the spiritual, mystical, and metaphysical awareness and consciousness of our community by sponsoring programs that facilitate personal growth and development and a holistic approach to health and living.

Within the scope of our mission, we choose speakers who offer a variety of views and philosophies, but SFF does not endorse any speakers’ statements or beliefs. You are invited to come with an open mind and depart with all that feels true for you.

 
Thursday,
November 1, 2007

Location:
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall
3313 Wade Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27607

Doors Open: 6:45 PM
Lecture: 7:15 - 9:30 PM
Cost: $10
Seniors/Students: $8 with valid ID

Early Meditation: 6:30 PM
Cost: FREE
 
 

SFF Lecture Recordings
We generally record all of our lectures and you may purchase audio tapes of most lectures from the late 1980's through September, 2006. For lectures beginning with September, 2006, lecture recordings are now available on CD.

Tape recordings are $10 which includes postage.
Cassette tapes are available of most SFF lectures dating back to 1988. They may be available for future events as well.

CDs are available in two formats.

Two disk audio CD sets are $15
Because audio CDs are limited to a maximum of 78 minutes, if you would like an audio CD of a lecture playable on any CD player.

One disk MP3 CD is $10
If you would like a CD using the MP3 format (playable on your computer and many new CD and DVD players but not on older CD players), it will be on one disk.

 
Our meetings are held in the lower level of the newly re-modeled and expanded
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh
at 3313 Wade Avenue in Raleigh.
 

Meditation
with
Eileen Wood
(See Below)

Time: 6:30 - 7:00 PM

Cost: Free

An open guided meditation will be held at 6:30 PM in the Ralph Waldo Emerson room (the upper building, lower level) at the UUFR

The lectures begins at 7:15 PM following the meditation. We look forward to seeing you!

 

Meditation
with
Eileen Wood
Time: 6:30 - 7:00 PM

Cost: Free

 

Tap into your inner spirit to realize your authentic self and experience a “personal transformation” meditation led by Eileen Wood. Reduce stress, find inner peace, and rediscover the wonderful part of your self that dwells within your soul.

Eileen is a co-owner, with Kim Tillett, of Mystic Gardens Natural Foods in Raleigh and a former member of the SFF board. After suffering with fibromyalgia for seven years she embarked on a healing path in 2003 that involved balancing the mind, body, and spirit. In three months her symptoms had disappeared and she found herself on a new path. Today, she lives a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, an organic and natural diet, a growth mindset, and guiding others using the example of her extraordinary experience. She’s a Reiki master, meditation teacher, speaker, life coach, spiritual counselor, and practitioner of arcing light; she is working on a master’s degree in transpersonal studies and psychology. Visit Eileen’s website, www.MysticGardensNaturalFoods.com.

The early meditation is held in the Ralph Waldo Emerson room of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh.

This is in the same building (Peace Hall) as the Clara Barton room, but the Emerson room is on the lower level.

If coming from the front parking lot, go down the steps between the two buildings. There's an entry door on the right side of Peace Hall. Go in this door and down the hall, and the Ralph Waldo Emerson room is on the left at the end.

If coming from the back parking lot, go up the steps between the main building, which houses the sanctuary in front and Fellowship Hall in the rear, and Peace Hall, the building to the left. Entry door will be on the left a short distance up the stairs.