The Hero’s Path

Steps on the Hero’s Path is a four-part lecture series that unpacks key Buddhist topics to help us understand the milestones along the gradual path to enlightenment. What makes up a dynamic worldview? What are the tools for heart-opening meditative practice? What is entailed in the contemplative lifestyle of the bodhisattva, a type of deity in Buddhism sometimes referred to as an “altruistic hero”? By accessing Tibet’s rich culture, art, and science, this series helps apply guided visualizations, traditional prayers, recitation of a fourteenth-century text, and art-viewing to the needs of today.

All levels of knowledge and practice are welcome. Participation in the entire series is strongly encouraged. This series takes place in the Rubin Museum’s Education Center.

Co-presented with the Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science.

Session 2 – Renunciation: Establishing Genuine Self-care

Recognizing the ephemeral nature of existence is at the heart of understanding much of the art in the Rubin’s collection. This session helps us identify key elements in directing the evolution of our consciousness: Imminence of death, inexorable causality, and renunciation from a compulsive life.

About the Lecturer

Dr. Miles Neale is a Buddhist psychotherapist in private practice, Assistant Director of the Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science, Clinical Instructor of Psychology at Weill Cornell Medical College, and contributing expert on mindfulness meditation for the BBC World Service. Dr. Neale’s approach to personal healing and transformation is informed by contemplative neuroscience, an eclectic hybrid of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist psychology and meditative arts, depth psychotherapy, and the current neuroscience of trauma resilience.