Buddhist Philosophy and Meditati

This course will provide a brief introduction to the basic principles of Buddhist philosophy, and their realization through meditative practices. The particular point of view is that of Zen, but the course will also explore the concepts of perennial philosophy manifested though various religious traditions in various times and places.

The course will include actual meditation instruction and practice. We will not just study about meditation, we'll also practice it! On the first day of class a simple basic form of meditation will be introduced, and we'll end each class with a short meditation period.

Each chapter will examine a particular mystic tradition, considered from the Zen/perennial-philosophic non-dual perspective. Tracing the roots of Zen, we'll study Chinese Taoist philosophy, as well as Mahayana Buddhism including the Vajrayana practices of Tibet. Then we'll continue south to India where we'll encounter the ancient teachings of Advaita Vedanta. From India we'll move west to visit the Sufi mystics from the land of Islam. Then we'll explore the old Kabala of Hebraic mysticism (with its deep roots in the esoteric traditions of Egypt), along with spiritual alchemy and the Western Mystery Schools. Next we'll visit a few Christian mystics from past and present times. We'll then see that "primitive" peoples are not necessarily all that primitive, when it comes to a grasp of perennial philosophy, as we take a look at some indigenous shamanistic traditions. Finally we'll compare and contrast perennial philosophy with modern science, including modern physics and findings on meditation and the brain from modern functional brain imaging techniques.

Each week, the links for that week's topics will be made active. The readings for this class are all online, freely available on the Web. In addition to readings, you'll find links to some excellent short videos that are also freely available on the Web that explore further some of the topics covered in class.

	Course Table of Contents
	Chapter 1 - Perennial Philosophy Truth arises spontaneously in all times and places. Mystics of all worlds in all times know that the Universe itself peers out through all eyes. God peering at God. All and in All...
	Chapter 2 - Buddhism , and in particular Zen Mindfully focusing on the present moment helps us awaken to our true nature, the very ground of being, the source from which arises all that is.
	Chapter 3 - Taoism The Tao that can be expressed in words, is not the true Tao. Observe nature directly without conceptual filters, with wide open heart/mind, to realize the true Tao.
	Chapter 4 - Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism) Free from obsessive clinging to delusions, see samsara as ecstatic, inconceivable dharma display. May all sentient beings realize that their very being arises continuously from the ocean of infinite potentiality, infinite compassion, the Shimmering Void.
	Chapter 5 - Advaita Vedanta The Divine is the only truth; all else is but illusion. Do not be deluded! In no way has any being ever been separated from its divine source. All are held eternally secure within the caressing fold of infinite and boundless being.
	Chapter 6 - Qabalah, Alchemy (and the Western Mystery Traditions) Mind reflects the Universe, the Universe reflects Mind. Mind and Universe are One Seamless Whole. Ignorance and foolishness are but Pure Mind weaving as yet uncompleted images of Divine Perfection. All are that One Mind, its thought/dreams arising from the Limitless Light, shining out from all eyes.
	Chapter 7 - Sufism There is only one God, eternal, the Only Being. None truly exists but this One. Seeing the Divine Beloved in all is seeing truly. Dissolve all sense of separateness in the Ocean of Divine Love.
	Chapter 8 - Christian Mysticism When asked when the Kingdom of Heaven would come, Jesus responded that "...The Kingdom of Heaven is spread out all around you, but you see it not". ( According to the Gospel of Thomas )
	Chapter 9 - The Shamanic Traditions Tread gently on this sacred earth, and with great reverence and thankfulness to the Great Spirit, the source of all beings, great and small.
	Chapter 10 - Compassionate Communication When one gets out of one's head and into one's heart, all conflict can be resolved. Our language fosters the creation of enemy images. But these images are horrible distortions of reality. The "enemy" is a human being, just like us; we all share the same underlying needs. We all want to be happy.
	Chapter 11 - Science & Mysticism Mathematics is a product of the human mind, yet precisely describes the (external) physical universe. Brain-imaging techniques are revealing the processes whereby our brains construct an illusion of reality, and how meditation helps us to not be deluded by mind's illusions.