Introduction

Caring for the Present Moment

A Mindfulness Series for Educators

sponsored by Avalokita Center and Wake Up Schools

offered by Richard Brady and Kaira Jewel Lingo, lay Dharma teachers in the Plum Village tradition, to share mindfulness teachings and practices focused on caring for the present moment.

As educators, when we take care of the present moment, we do our best to ensure a better future for our students, our colleagues, and ourselves.

In each meeting we will review a practice we’ve learned by sharing it with the partner—a colleague, friend, or family member.

The series touches on the following themes:

1. CARING FOR HAPPINESS IN THE PRESENT MOMENT: We already have sufficient conditions to be happy. How can we deepen our awareness of them? How can we cultivate our inner garden to promote the growth of new happiness?
2. CARING FOR SUFFERING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT: Suffering is the sibling of happiness. What do we have to learn from it? How can we practice with it in a healthy way?
3. CARING FOR OTHERS IN THE PRESENT MOMENT: Happiness and suffering are not individual matters. How can we deepen our understanding of and connection with others - their happiness and their suffering?
4. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS IN THE PRESENT MOMENT: What questions do we have in this moment? What answers do we already know? Where would we like help?