Dharma Heart Program

Transforming our lives through devotion.: A program of study, contemplation, and meditation.

2024 Retreat Dates

March 23, 2024 Anam Thubten Rinpoche will lead this retreat. Registration opens on Feb. 26, 2024. You don't want to miss this retreat.

The program is designed for the dedicated dharma student who wants to go deeper into their practice and aspires to awaken to their true nature. Over the two years ( Maybe slightly longer), we will explore the teachings directly from the Buddha as well as those shared by other great masters, reading from the Pali Canon and selected Mahayana Sutras. In addition, we will be practicing both shamatha (calm abiding) (Tib. ཞི་གནས་) and vipassana (insight) meditation techniques and encouraging contemplative investigation into the nature of self. The basis of all the teachings will be on integration of our dharma practice into our lives and to see into the nature of our thoughts, concepts, beliefs, and emotions.

Studying the teachings of the Buddha and other masters we will learn what it is to be a practitioner and how to be on the path of the Dharma. These masters shared their wisdom with their disciples in order to help them see the way out of suffering. Keeping this in mind we will be studying the teachings with the aspiration that the seed of insight spring forth and help us to realize our own true nature.

Contemplation is part of integrating what we hear, study, and experience and making it a part of our lives. Our spiritual lives cannot be separate from our daily lives. By sitting with the teachings and actively engaging with them through contemplation we take our study from solely an intellectual endeavor turning it into a powerful tool for transformation. Actively looking into the nature of reality will transform the way we work with our minds and hearts.

Meditation is a core component of this program is a commitment to a daily meditation practice. Through enthusiastic effort and an aspiration for realization, we lay the ground for our evolution on the path. In order to accomplish the fruit of practice, consistent effort is needed. Diligent practice opens our hearts and transforms the way we work with our minds.

Details

If you are interested in joining the Dharma Heart Program please send an email to apply to heart of dharma at gmail .com.There will be 3 - 4 retreats a year for 2 years covering topics from Hinayana (not a synonym for Theravada Buddhism), Mahayana and Vajrayana teachings.  As part of the program, you will receive the retreat teachings in a downloadable format. You will also have an opportunity between each retreat to speak with Dana about your practice.

All participants are encouraged to go through the entire program. If circumstances arise that prevent this from happening you are encouraged to speak with Dana. The commitment is completely up to you. For those who live outside of Boise you can participate in two ways: by traveling to attend retreats in person or engaging on Zoom in real time or recorded videos of the retreats on your own time. We may have guest speakers to cover certain topics You may be asked to do some writing and reading between retreats.

If you have participated in thisprogram in the past you are welcome and encouraged to join again.

Retreats

2023 Retreat Dates (Dates May Change)

January 7 & 8,  2023 Weekend 

April 15, 2023

October 27-29, 2023 NEW DATE

Program Payment Levels

Sustaining Members * Retreat fees: $40 for day-long retreat/ $75 for a weekend retreat (Saturday -Sunday)

Non-Sustaining Members and Public* Retreat fees: $50 for day-long retreat/$100 for a weekend retreat.

No one is turned away for lack of funds. Partial Scholarships are available. If you need a scholarship please email greg@meritprogram.net to apply.

(*Sustaining Members have signed up as Sustaining Members and donate monthly to Heart of the Dharma consistently supporting its activities)

(*Anyone is welcome to join any of the retreats, however those who have been accepted into the 3 year program will receive readings, check-ins with Dana, and retreat recordings as part of the program.)