The Venerable Robina Courtin: How to Develop Compassion for Oneself and Others

The development of compassion and the wish to help others is the point of the path to enlightenment. But as His Holiness the Dalai Lama says, “Compassion is not enough.  We need wisdom.”

The first stage of Buddhist practice is to use the tool of meditation to become intimately familiar with our own minds: our anxiety, depression, attachment, low self-esteem and the other limiting qualities that are the source of our suffering and cut us off from others. This is effectively the practice of self-compassion: it brings confidence and accountability, and we realize that we’re also in charge of our own happiness.  In the process, the barriers between ourselves and others just naturally break down, and we we can now have compassion for not only the innocent victims of the world but for everyone: we realize we’re all in the same boat.

Australian nun Robina Courtin applies the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism to daily life in a way that is challenging, serious, funny, inspiring and, above all, practical and down to earth. In addition to her international teachings and regular podcasts, she has edited a range of books and magazines, set up the Liberation Prison Project to work with prisoners on death row, leads pilgrimages to holy places in Asia, and has been featured in the documentary films Chasing Buddha and Key of Freedom. You can find out more at www.robinacourtin.com

Everyone is welcome, for one evening or all three (although we recommend starting on the Monday evening, if that’s possible for you).

Suggested donation per evening:

£1 minimum

£5 subsidised

£10 regular

£20 or more: sponsor

Simple refreshments will be available from 7pm on a donation basis. Once the costs of Ven Robina’s visit have been covered, any surplus will be used to take forward kindness projects at The Good Heart. Thank you for your generosity.

The Bennett Centre is less than ten minute’s walk from Frome Station and has a car park next door.

This event is being organised by The Good Heart www.thegoodheart.uk If you have questions, please contact Alison Murdoch on welcome@thegoodheart.uk