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For the past year, I’ve been taking some wonderful classes at a school called Dharma College, in Berkeley, Ca. All of the classes encourage inquiry, curiosity, acute observation and the development of a deep appreciation of life…taking teachings and wisdom from Buddhism and presenting those ideas in a very supportive, “non-sectarian,” and encouraging environment….some real “gems.”
One special class… “An Affinity for Beauty”
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The past few weeks, I’ve been participating in this very special class, “An Affinity for Beauty.”
The first suggested meditation from that class was so soothing and inspiring that I thought I’d share it here with others, on Pocket Perspectives. (with the permission of the instructor, Pema Gellek)
…please enjoy….
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Simply looking at the descriptions of the classes opens my mind to expanded ways of looking at my own life, offering some very positive shifts. The most recent choice of classes… offering some very creative perspectives….
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The descriptions of the regularly offered classes also offers a glimpse into more helpful ways of becoming increasingly aware of, and looking at, our own thinking and reactions in life…helping to develop a greater awareness of and understanding about how our minds might tend to work or “operate”….and through that understanding, to be able to let go of possibly unhelpful habitual patterns, in order to live with a greater sense of steadiness, kindness and appreciation…including living with the more frequent and deeper appreciation of beauty in both the outer world and in our inner nature.
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For anyone who might live in the Berkley area, I recommend taking a look at the Dharma College website or checking out their Class Schedules and “Open Houses,” where mini-classes are offered. I’ve learned so much in through all of these classes, and am deeply appreciative.
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An so…
for this Nurturing Thursday, hosted at Becca Given’s blog…
(please visit Becca’s blog to view her Nurturing Thursday post
and for links to other Nurturing Thursday contributors)
…nurturing our appreciation of beauty…
~ nurturing our precious and deep affinity for beauty ~
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Pocket Perspectives 
What a fantastic opportunity for you. I look forward to hearing more!
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The classes are wonderful… I’ll share more as I create more pages for them…we’ve been guided through lots of helpful insights
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Very interesting. Keep us posted.
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Happy to share…so many helpful ideas around in the world…
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How WONDERFUL!!! Thank you for sharing this information and the meditation. Will you continue with the upcoming classes? Happy Thursday!!
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thank….yes, I take 2 classes each “term”…one is more information/study oriented and the other is practices/meditations with the ideas… they are wonderful classes!
And speaking of having a Happy Thursday… I’m meeting Carol, from Light Words,(!!!) for coffee at a coffee shop near her home… isn’t that wonderful? And how special that each of our Nurturing Thursdays, everyone’s included…. coming from varied traditions and far away parts of the world…that they all speak to the common human wish for people to see their own inner beauty and light http://piecesofstarlight.wordpress.com/2013/12/12/nurturing-thursday-blessings-abound/
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Becca…and others…not only did Carol and I get together this afternoon….we talked on face time with Joss, in France…it was a delight!!! 😀
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what a lovely way to nurture your precious self. Gifting yourself these classes, taking time to be still, a winter of hibernation and quietness to be met with spring’s rebirth. Just lovely.
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oh yes, Joss…..the wonderful luxury of having the time, opportunities and support for going quietly within during these winter days…… I wonder what’s ahead?
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Lovely meditation. How wonderful to have access to classes like that! 🙂
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Isn’t that a beautiful meditation? Yes, we’re fortunate to have so many interesting opportunities in this area. By the way, the book we use as a “guide” in the classes is available to others, too….a very insightful book…an amazing book.
http://shop.dharmapublishing.com/products/revelations-of-mind
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Oh we need a place like that here ♡
I could almost make it to Berkeley..maybe when my daughter is a bit older 🙂
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We are really, really lucky to have those classes available. Oddly enough, not many people seem to be finding them…they’re really wonderful, but others don’t seem to be finding them.
by the way….the book we use in the classes is available, if you like reading. It takes some reading and re-reading, but it’s a wonderful book. http://shop.dharmapublishing.com/products/revelations-of-mind
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Thanks ♡
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This is wonderful! I am starting to take mindfulness courses, and hope to one day be able to take a program such at the one offered by the Dharma College.
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Marie, it really is wonderful! Isn’t it amazing how many opportunities there are to learn? There seem to be quite a lot of variety of “approaches” or strategies in varied mindfulness classes… I’ve found some more helpful than others… use good “filters”
I mentioned in the comments to Robin and Laurie that the book we use in these classes is available to others…it’s excellent, but takes some reading and re-reading to get the ideas to go in… but excellent. http://shop.dharmapublishing.com/products/revelations-of-mind
(by the way, I might go to a class on Sunday… taught by Rick Hanson (Hardwiring Happiness and Buddha’s Brain) …he’s such a wonderful “teacher”…both very organized and very warm-hearted, great combination. https://www.spiritrock.org/CalendarDetails?EventID=3527&erid=5094693&trid=5afc85de-d399-48a9-aa77-e1cc3bafb22a )
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What a wonderful opportunity and class. I can definitely see that it would be life affirming. Thank you for sharing with us. 🙂
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You’re very welcome. It’s such a lovely meditation. I was happy that Pema supported it being shared here…. I thought it might resonate with others, too. Happy to share… 🙂
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Makes one stop…and smell the roses. hugs for that…
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yes, a lovely reminder..love those roses!
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