Buddhist Mind Science module 1: Cultivating Lasting Happiness
Buddhist Mind Science: Activating Your Potential 
A new FPMT course with Annelies van der Heijden (onsite & online)
Discover the workings of the mind and the mechanisms of suffering and happiness and unlock your potential for mental balance, compassion and wisdom. Starting with Module 1- Cultivating lasting happiness: What Buddhism and Science Have to Say about It
The 7- Module Journey
Welcome to this journey to unlock our potential and cultivate lasting happiness. Buddhism is considered by some a “science of mind,” because it presents a comprehensive and deep description of the mind, it studies its various aspects and functions, and it provides methods to observe it directly and to discover and activate our inner potential. And it does so with one intention: to overcome suffering and its causes and to cultivate true, lasting happiness.
The course follows a gradual approach, with a strong experiential component that invites everyone to reflect and check by themselves the different topics presented along the courses. With a strong emphasis on transforming daily life in meaningful ways, it provides both Buddhist and scientific perspectives. It consists of seven modules that can be followed as independent courses:
- Cultivating lasting happiness: What Buddhism and science have to say about it
- Transforming the mind to cultivate lasting happiness
- Getting to know your mind
- Fundamental trainings to cultivate lasting happiness
- Wise paths to the heart
- The nature of perception
- Embodying warmheartedness and wisdom
For more information, download the folder with the full description of the course here.
Module 1: Cultivating Lasting Happiness: What Buddhism and Science Have to Say about It
What is it that we are all pursuing? Do we succeed in it? Should we explore more carefully and wisely how to fulfil our deep yearnings for happiness and to be free from suffering? How could we contribute to others’ happiness as well?
We will explore such questions from an experiential point of view, using both scientific and Buddhist knowledge of the mind and meditation, in a journey that may translate into increasing lasting happiness and a positive impact on oneself, others, and the world.
This module focuses on an exploration of what leads to dissatisfaction and suffering, and what contributes to happiness for oneself and others. The fundamentals of meditation and mind training are introduced, especially in the areas of establishing a meaningful direction in life, balancing the mind with equanimity and a caring attitude, and nurturing warmheartedness and wisdom drawn from the Buddhist tradition. It is complemented by references to current scientific understanding on our nervous system, values, subjective well-being, neuroplasticity and altruism.
Your teacher – Annelies van der Heijden
Annelies is a Dutch, registered FPMT-teacher and qualified mindfulness teacher. She has been a Buddhist practitioner in the Tibetan Gelug tradition since 1994, which is the tradition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Her Buddhist path gained footing in an FPMT Introductory Buddhism course at Kopan Monastery in Nepal in 1992. “This left an incredible impression on us, especially by the person who taught this course, Venerable Robina Courtin, an impressive, inspiring and very dynamic Australian nun. Her teachings were a rich mix of deep knowledge, a large dose of (self) humour and her own personal life experiences (also with Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the founders of FPMT). It was laughing and confrontational at the same time, here the seeds were planted for me”.
Annelies has been actively involved with the Maitreya Institute and with the FPMT organization since 1997. She has been a teacher for many years and facilitates program activities at both the Maitreya Institute in The Netherlands and within the FPMT organization worldwide. She has a background as a dietician, shiatsu therapist and yoga teacher.
“My aspiration is - how can I bring the pure profound Dharma from our tradition to our students without diluting it, but in such a way that it inspires and encourages thinking about the topics on a level that it touches their lives.”
Practical information
- Day & timing: Tuesday evenings from 19.30-21.00 hrs
- Dates Module 1: Nov. 11,18 and 25, Dec. 2 and 9 (5 classes)
- Location: Onsite at our Maitreya Center in Amsterdam and online via Zoom.
- Language: English (but questions can be asked in Dutch if needed)
- Study materials & recordings: you will be provided with inspiring study materials. The classes will be recorded (audio and video) and provided to you.
- Registration: You can register only for the whole module (5 classes)
- Last-minute registration: Please also send an email to amsterdam@maitreya.nl, to ensure we can send you the necessary information in time to join the class.
Donation
Dāna (generosity) is one of the cornerstones of the Buddhist path. With your donation we can uphold our Dharma center, which is managed entirely by volunteers.
The suggested donation for this series of 5 classes is €60. For students and people with low income, the suggested donation is €40. Please send us an email if you'd like to make use of this option. Keep in mind that the donation amount should never be an obstacle to your access to the Dharma. Please contact us if it might be an obstacle for you.
Ga terug