Gaining Perspectives: A 5-week Introduction to Ways of Looking
With Mark Ovland
What if your deepest happiness and freedom had less to do with what happens, and more to do with how you’re relating to what happens?
Over five evening sessions we will explore this idea in depth, using the framework of ‘ways of looking’ as developed by the late and much-loved Insight Meditation teacher Rob Burbea. We will pick up and practise with a different lens each week and pay attention to the effect it has on our perception of the world – for instance, whether it brings more ease, freedom, and joy into the experience. Drawing on key Dharma concepts like impermanence and not-self, we will eventually see how this simple ‘ways of looking’ approach can in fact offer us a coherent and helpful way to understand the whole of the Buddhist path.
This course is suitable for experienced practitioners and beginners alike. Each session will include a short talk, some meditation instruction, a guided practice, and plenty of time for questions and comments. To make the most of the course you’ll be encouraged to play and practise with the different ways of looking for at least 20 minutes each day between the sessions.
Mark Ovland
Mark began practising meditation in 2008 and spent a number of years living and working in retreat centres and monasteries around the UK and Asia. Appreciating deeply the teachings he received during that time and wishing for them to reach those most in need, in 2013 he co-founded Freely Given Retreats and soon afterwards he pioneered taking mindfulness courses into UK prisons. In more recent years Mark has been especially engaged with environmental and social justice issues. He was a close student of Rob Burbea and is a director of the Hermes Amara Foundation.
Venue:
Bristol Central Quaker Meeting House, Champion Square, Bristol, BS2 9DB
Dates and times:
The sessions will run from 7pm to 8.45pm on the dates listed below. You’re invited to arrive 5 minutes early if you’re able, so we can start as close to 7pm as possible.
Monday 11th Sep
Monday 18th Sep
Monday 25th Sep
Monday 2nd Oct
Monday 9th Oct
Chairs and mats will be provided, along with a limited number of cushions. You are very welcome to bring along anything else that will make you comfortable.
Room hire and dana:
The fee of £20 (or £10 for anyone on low income), will cover just the cost of the room hire.
The teachings themselves will be offered freely by Mark, in line with the 2,500-year-old Buddhist tradition of ‘dana’, or generosity. If you are able to support Mark in his livelihood by offering him a donation, that would be greatly appreciated. There will be an opportunity to do this during the course.
No one will be turned away due to costs, so if you are undergoing financial hardship do please select a ‘Freely Given Ticket’ and know that you’d be very welcome to attend.
Booking
You can book on Eventbrite here