Introduction to Buddhism

This two-part course addresses two major themes of Buddhism: individual liberation and social transformation. Participants will compare the worldview, ideal figure, method, and result of the Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhist traditions related to these themes as well as learn simple meditation techniques to apply to everyday life. Buddhist art from the Museum’s collection will provide inspiration for discussions.

Attendees are encouraged to attend both August 3 and 10 sessions.

About the Instructor

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.

Co-presented with the Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science.