INTEGRATIVE DHARMA PRACTICE RESOURCES PAGE

INTRODUCTION TO INSTRUCTION MATERIALS

This page presents instruction materials for Integrative Dharma Practice developed and utilized in my intensive training program from September to December 2020, and applied in an introductory setting over a weekend retreat in July 2021. The materials are presented in the order offered in the intensive and weekend programs, as the temporal component proved to be of importance in both settings.

INTERPERSONAL DYNAMICS FOR DHARMA OFFERINGS

[from our Mission & Ethos]

Receptive Listening

At Prajna Fire, we strive to avoid planning a response as we listen to others. Instead we are willing to be surprised, to learn something new, listening with our whole being. In discussions with our peers, we strive to emphasize learning over offering unsolicited advice, problem-solving, or instruction.

Conscious Expression

We practice nonjudgmental compassion toward ourselves and others, respecting our own and others’ opinions and experiences as our own. We practice vulnerability and avoid criticizing the way others and ourselves show up.

When speaking, we strive to attend to and speak about our own experiences and responses, rather than speaking for a whole group or expressing assumptions about the experience of others. We practice emphasizing concrete, immediate, and self-contained expression over conjecture, embellishment, and hyperbole.

At all times we refrain from blaming or shaming ourselves or others, whether expressly or indirectly. We recognize nonviolent communication as a good starting point for conscious, receptive dialogue, and the relational awareness it requires.

Step Back / Step Up

Our gatherings foster full participation by all present. We ask that we all take note of who is speaking and who is not. Those who tend to speak often, we ask to consider “stepping back,” and those who tend not to speak often, to consider “stepping up.”

Right to Pass

We are always free to say “I pass” when we do not wish to speak.

“Both / And” Speech

Whenever feasible, we practice substituting “and” for “but” to acknowledge and honor multiple realities rather than solidify polarities.

Privacy

Personal details and stories shared in the space of community remain private. We encourage participants to take home learnings, even sharing them with others, without identifying anyone other than ourselves at any time. If we want to follow up with anyone regarding something they said during a session, we ask them first and respect their wishes.

JUMP TO SAMPLE INTENSIVE PROGRAM

JUMP TO SAMPLE INTRODUCTORY RETREAT

INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM

Intensive Program

AUDIO

ARTICLES

INTEGRATIVE DHARMA PRACTICE

MEDITATION ON AND OF THE CUSHION

CLOISTER SUPPORT

Cloister Boundaries

Cloister Prayers

Cloister Sessions

INSTRUCTION MATERIALS
AND ASSIGNMENTS

Assignment 1

1. Listen to Prajna Sparks Podcast, Episodes 1 and 2

2. Read Befriending the Suttas

3. WEEK 1 READINGS

These are brief excerpts, meant to be read slowly and a few times. Note any questions about terminology.

4. WEEK 1 REFLECTION

Recommended

AUDIO Listen to Practice Essentials Session 1
[especially those who did not attend these talks]

Supplementary

A. Read the full text of the Canki Sutta

B. Read the full text of the Sutta on the Simile of the Snake

Resources

Points about listening

Assignment 2

Part A

1. Listen to Dharma talk on Path

(Here's the handout mentioned in the talk.)

2. REFLECTIONS AND READINGS 2

3. Introduce yourself in our Discussion Group and read others' introductions. Respond to existing posts, or start a new post.

Part B

1. Stay engaged

Technology can be discouraging, and so can feeling isolated. Call to the mind the mandala space we brought into being with intention, and sustain connection to that, whether to give or receive of its supportive energy.

2. Discuss

If you have not posted or commented in our Discussion Group, please do so. Our mutual experience is enriched considerably if each one of us starts one new post and comments on two or three others each week. It doesn't have to take long. Let me know if you still need help navigating the Discussion group.

3. Wholehearted Engagement Exercise in Discussion Group

A new reflection exercise, the foundation of a practice which will be expanded over the next two weeks before the October Cloister Weekend begins. [Download from group post.]

Part C

1. Connect

Going forward, engage in our Discussion Group consistently, supporting yourself and others in this way. Aim to post once a week and comment two to three times a week or more. Let me know if you still need help navigating this feature.

2. Wholehearted Engagement Exercise 2 in Discussion Group

The next step in this profound reflection exercise, the necessary foundation for later steps we will employ in the October Cloister Weekend and beyond. [Download from group post.]

Part D

Wholehearted Engagement Exercise 3 in Discussion Group

A wide-angle exploration of the five omnipresent factors. [Download from group post.]

Cloister 2 Practices

Saturday Meditation Practice Instructions

Sunday Reading for Meditation Practice

Recommended

Read our Prajna Rising articles on

Integrative Practice
Listening
Contemplating

Supplementary

Listen (or listen again) to Practice Essentials Session 1 (scroll down)
Listen to Prajna Sparks Podcast, Episodes 3 and 4

Assignment 3

Part A

1. REFLECTIONS AND READINGS 3

2. STAY ENGAGED. This is critical as we near the last full cloister weekend of the program. Reboot your mandala connection by introducing yourself in our Discussion Group if you haven't already. Read others' introductions. Start at least one new post and respond to three or more posts ir comments each week. It doesn't have to take long, and adds much to the program experience.

Part B

1. PRACTICES 3B

2. CONTEMPLATIVE READING: Prajna Rising article, "Meditate."

3. Post and comment in our Discussion Group about these practices.

Part C

1. PRACTICES 3C

2. AUDIO Listen to Practice Essentials Session 2

3. Listen to Prajna Sparks Podcast, Episode 6

4. Post and comment in our Discussion Group.

Part D

1. PRACTICES 3D

2. Post and comment in our Discussion Group.