Sustainable Compassion Training
a complete meditative path to enrich or introduce you to practice

With the ever-increasing 'turning and churning' of our world, where do we find refuge to support our well-being and that of others? How do we grow our hearts large enough and secure enough to hold the entire world and all its challenges?
A Monthly Immersion: Sustainable Compassion Training
Sustainable Compassion Training (SCT) is an open secular path of meditation practices, deeply informed by Tibetan Buddhism's ancient wisdom for awakening our full human potential. As a progressive set of practices, SCT "teaches us how to become newly receptive to unconditional qualities of love and wisdom from the depth of our being." With ongoing training, we can "settle into that depth, and respond to others with more replenishing and expansive compassion and awareness..." Learn more about this training and its origins here.

Our Public Invitation
On October 4th, we'll begin a monthly program of study, practice, and reflection based on the newly released book by the developers of SCT, John Makransky and Paul Condon: "How Compassion Works: A Step-By-Step Guide to Cultivating Well-Being, Love and Wisdom." Authors Makransky and Condon have deftly translated Tibet's powerful technologies for awakening into a highly accessible form, integrating psychological science and employing language and concepts that resonate powerfully with Western hearts and minds.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Whether new to meditation or an experienced practitioner, SCT has something for everyone.
  • For those new to meditation, or SCT specifically, this new manual and our program of study will provide detailed instruction for beginning practice.
  • For those who've done mindfulness training, this next step integrates compassion and liberation, which are vital if you seek to go beyond stress reduction and calming the mind.
  • Experienced meditators will find these psychologically-informed methods highly effective in deepening and extending their practice.
Put simply, SCT is for anyone wanting to access the powers of unconditional love, compassion, and wisdom for living, service, and social action.

WHAT WILL BE INCLUDED IN MONTHLY SERIES
  1. Reading and review of "How Compassion Works," by John Makransky and Paul Condon (Copies of the book will be available for purchase or sign-out in the Dharma Center.)
  2. Reflection and guided SCT meditation by Deborah King, an SCT practitioner who recently completed Lama John Makransky's SCT Path Program at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies 
  3. Opportunities for large and small group discussion of the book and your own SCT practice
WHEN AND WHERE
GENEROSITY AND RECIPROCITY
This program is being offered freely, without a tuition requirement. Please consider donating $20 when you attend. All gifts support Dharma Refuge and our ability to offer community programming. 
MISSING A SESSION
These sessions will be recorded and available in our Members' Digital Library of teachings. Learn more about becoming a member here.  
PictureDeborah King, Meditation Teacher at Dharma Refuge
Led by Dharma Refuge Meditation Teacher, Deborah King
Deborah is a long-time member of our sangha and a deeply dedicated practitioner, with significant SCT training and practice experience. Deborah has been assisting Guiding Teacher, Sue Kochan, with our ongoing Bodhisattva Training. Deborah’s Dharma insights and meditation guidance have been enthusiastically received in our Sangha. We are delighted to announce that Deborah has formally accepted the role of Dharma Refuge Meditation Teacher, empowering her to continue to serve our larger community and sangha. Learn more about Deborah.
Everyone is warmly welcomed.
No previous experience is required.