CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, SPECIAL SERVICES & MORE

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR ZEN THERAPY  (ITZI) 
PRESENTS A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS
All are welcome. Use this link for all events, unless otherwise noted.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87560868030
Meeting ID: 875 6086 8030
One tap mobile local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/ky1Zf711X

Saturday 17 April 2021 7.30PM (Rome) 
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DREAMS IN BUDDHISM
James Schmeiser 
Buddha had five major dreams that gave him insight and direction. In this workshop we will examine the importance of dreams in shaping the Buddha’s ministry and teachings. 
James Schmeiser is a  member of the Amida Mosaic in London Ontario and Professor Emeritus of Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. His academic work focused on the significance of dreams in world religions, and in ritual and celebration. He continues to lead workshops and offer spiritual direction. As well, he delights in the expanding world of his children and grandchildren.

EBU CONFERENCE
Saturday 24 April from 10 – 19.00: European Buddhist Union Conference
“Death and Dying from a Buddhist perspective”.
Several international speakers, including: Roshi Joan Halifax and Dario Doshin Girolami.https://www.ebuconference.org/

Saturday 15 May 2021  7.30 – 9 PM (Rome)
DANCING WITH DEPRESSION
Susthama Kim Depression is often viewed as a deep dark hole with no end in sight. It can feel like going down into the depths of despair with nothing good to be gained from such a bleak experience. In this workshop we will be looking at depression as a stage in a process of growth that is often triggered by a loss or death of some kind. Growth and maturity, compassion and fellow feeling, and other wholesome states of mind can come from a buddhist understanding of depression.
Susthama Kim is the newly elected Head of the Order of Amida Buddha. She has been practicing as a Buddhist therapist for a decade and used to work in the field of mental health as a chaplain for many years. She is a member of ITZI and IBAP and supervises and tutors on the Buddhist Psychology distance learning programme.  

Saturday 12 June 2021 7.30pm (Rome)
 THE SIX & EIGHT VIJÑANA MODELS OF THE MIND
Dharmavidya David Brazier

The idea of the mind evolved over the history of Buddhist psychology.  This is essentially because humans have gradually come to internalise more. Functions that we now think of as inside our minds were once thought of as existing outside of ourselves.  This trend toward internalisation began a long time ago and the Buddhist model of the mind developed significantly during the centuries after the time of the Buddha.  These developments have implications for psychology and also for spiritual practice. Recovering a sense of the original understanding of mind throws light on aspects of Buddhist teaching that are not otherwise apparent to the modern reader.

Dharmavidya David Brazier, Buddhist teacher, psychotherapist, founder of the Amida Order and Amida Shu Pureland sangha is the author of more than a dozen books and many other writings, an authority on Buddhist psychology and President of the International Zen Therapy Institute.