Liberation Through Non-Clinging: An Exploration of the Five Aggregates
The goal of the Buddhist path is sometimes defined as “liberation through non-clinging.” But what is meant by clinging? In the First Noble Truth, the Buddha proclaimed that there is dukkha (suffering, stress, distress, unsatisfactoriness), and he defined dukkha in short as “the five clinging-aggregates” of form, feeling-tone, perception, formations, and consciousness.
To have any possibility of experiencing the freedom of non-clinging, we first need to understand the nature of our clinging more fully. In this six-week online course, we will explore the five clinging-aggregates through weekly two-hour meetings on Zoom, comprising short talks, guided meditations, and interpersonal practice in pairs and small groups using the guidelines of Insight Dialogue.
Our group practice will be complemented by home study and practice of at least two hours per week, using the Canvas platform to access supplementary readings and dharma talks, and to contribute to an online discussion board.
Practicing in solitude and together, we can directly experience not only the dukkha of clinging, but the possibility of its release.
- Prerequisite: At least two insight meditation retreats of one week or longer, plus basic familiarity with core Buddhist teachings such as the Four Noble Truths and the Four Establishments of Mindfulness.
- Teacher: Jill Shepherd
- Time and dates: Apr 17, 2021 – May 23, 2021
- Location: online via Zoom and Canvas
- Cost: sliding scale + dana* Supported: $149 Mid Level: $199 Sustaining: $249
- To register: https://www.buddhistinquiry.org/course/liberation-through-non-clinging-an-exploration-of-the-five-aggregates-2/
* In keeping with Buddhist tradition, the teachings are offered on a dana basis which means the teacher is not paid to offer this retreat Instead, they rely on the generosity of the participants to help them continue to share their teachings with others, and there will be an opportunity at the end of the retreat to offer donations to support their ongoing teaching.
