EVENTS
This event will feature Cortland Dahl in conversation with Richard Davidson for a reading and conversation for Cortland’s new book A Meditator’s Guide to Buddhism: The Path of Awareness, Compassion, and Wisdom. Join us for the book launch and for a powerful conversation with two prominent researchers and practitioners in the field of mindfulness and meditation.
How do you transform your mind and embrace true, unshakeable happiness? Buddhism is rooted in the simple idea that you can train your mind to suffer less and flourish more. In this experiential talk, Cortland Dahl discusses with journalist Adam Davidson the journey through the core principles and meditation practices of the Buddhist tradition.
Premium tickets include a copy of the book. A book signing will follow the program.
This program is presented in association with Shambhala Publications.
Buddhism is rooted in the simple idea that you can train your mind to suffer less and flourish more. In this experiential guide, Cortland Dahl will take you on a journey through the core principles and meditation practices of the Buddhist tradition. The journey begins with teachings on the Four Noble Truths, practical observations that will help you understand the causes of unhappiness, and how you can access inner calm and deep insight through meditation. The journey continues with teachings on compassion, buddha nature, and the profound principle of emptiness, before culminating in a discussion of meditation practices that use common experiences like dreams and strong emotions to awaken. Through accessible teachings and relatable stories, you will learn simple methods to transform your mind and embrace true, unshakeable happiness.
Join Cortland Dahl and Susan Kaiser Greenland for an enlightening book talk about their latest works, A Meditator’s Guide to Buddhism and Real-World Enlightenment: Discovering Ordinary Magic in Everyday Life. This conversation will explore the practical application of ancient wisdom in our modern world, highlighting how mindfulness and compassion can transform our everyday experiences. With insights drawn from neuroscience, psychology, and Buddhist teachings, Dahl and Greenland will discuss how to bridge the gap between contemplative traditions and scientific understanding, making these practices accessible and relevant to diverse audiences. Whether you’re a seasoned meditator or new to mindfulness, this event promises to offer valuable guidance on living with greater awareness, empathy, and purpose.
In a world filled with challenges, it can feel impossible to stay balanced and centered. The path of meditation helps us discover a source of inner calm and balance within the mind, and we begin to see that our own well-being and life are intimately connected with the lives and well-being of everyone. For centuries, this insight has been explored and enriched through the embodiment of the “boundless attitudes” of loving kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity.
Join Cortland Dahl, Executive Director of Tergar and Chief Contemplative Officer at UW-Madison’s Center for Healthy Minds, in this event centered around the launch of his new book A Meditator’s Guide to Buddhism: The Path of Awareness, Compassion, and Wisdom and Tergar’s accompanying Vajrayana Online course.
Cortland will share his journey of exploring the Buddhist teachings and his interest in understanding the human mind. He will also share his thoughts on how we can live a rich, meaningful life by connecting with our inner qualities of awareness, compassion, and wisdom.
“Until we define happiness for ourselves, clearly seeing the difference between excitement and joy, for example, our habits will likely not change. We will keep returning to the fruits of our desires.”
— Dr. Jud Brewer
The path of Buddhist Psychology, or Abhidharma, is a profound way of getting in touch with and gaining a clearer understanding of how our minds work. As meditators, we begin to recognize that everything we do starts with the mind. Knowing this, instead of focusing on changing outer circumstances to find inner peace, we can directly look at the different aspects of our minds and find inner freedom, regardless of the outer circumstances that surround our lives. In this event, New York Times best-selling author Dr. Judson Brewer will be interviewed by Tergar Instructor Cortland Dahl. Their conversation will touch on Buddhist psychology and how, through learning to understand our minds, we can form better, healthier, and more constructive habits, leading to a richer and more fulfilling life.
