Photo by Maren Yumi Motomura
The Realm of Humanity
10 Worlds Teaching Series
On May 22, join us for an online talk with Dr. Larry Ward as we explore the realm of humanity in the Buddhist wheel of life.
The human realm is a state of mind characterized by choice. We experience the entire breadth of emotions and feelings captured in other realms, such as impulse, suffering, pleasure, ignorance, joy and greed. We are not blinded by pleasure, like in the god or demi-god realms, and we are not stuck in our suffering, like in the hell or hungry ghost realms. So it is only in the human realm, where we see and experience it all, that we have the ability to escape samsara and awaken to our individual and collective liberation. The question is, what choice will we make?
This event is a part of our year long teaching series on the Buddhist story of The 10 Worlds, ten different yet interconnected states of mind that we all inhabit. They are fluid and impermanent. All ten are existential realities with their own moods, characteristics and inquiries. No matter the realm, each one invites us on a quest to learn more about ourselves, to build our capacity to adapt to the challenges we face, and to help relieve the suffering of all beings through breaking free from the cycle of samsara.
Event also includes: Guided meditation, gentle movement exercises, poetry and practice invitations.
Wednesday, May 22
4:00–5:30 pm PST | 7:00–8:30 pm EST
Online via Zoom
Recording: Shared with members and everyone who registers. Attend live for the deepest transmission of the teachings.
Members: You do not need to register for this event. We will email you the Zoom link the day before.
Cost: This event is offered at a sliding scale. Please choose the price that works for you. For the most value, consider purchasing a membership for as little as $20/month to join every month’s meditation, talk, and more.
Dr. Larry Ward (he/him)
Larry is co-founder of the Lotus Institute, author of America's Racial Karma: An Invitation to Heal and a senior Dharma teacher ordained in the Plum Village tradition. Dr. Ward holds a PhD in Religious Studies with an emphasis on Buddhism and the neuroscience of meditation. As a teacher, Larry interweaves insights with personal stories and resounding clarity that express his Dharma name, “True Great Sound.”