(1 credit) You have a vow to help others become liberated from suffering, but the day to day of navigating your way through relationships can be challenging. Finding the words to say what’s essential can be difficult. You would like to express yourself in a way that truly helps others while remaining in integrity with your values. Communication can be one of the most satisfying aspects of relationships when it enables honesty, understanding, creation of community, and serves life. The course topics will help us understand and improve our communication with others. Topics include: causes of misunderstandings, self-empathy, honest expression, empathy, and managing forms of reactivity such as anger, guilt, shame, and depression. Compassionate Communication skills to build trust, meet conflict, embrace differences, and express empathy will be introduced and developed. This course series is experientially focused, including vulnerable engagement and self-examination of examples chosen from your own life, with the instructor and in small groups or pairs.
MISSION STATEMENT: Maitripa College is a Buddhist institution of higher education offering contemplative learning culminating in graduate degrees. Founded upon three pillars of scholarship, meditation, and service, Maitripa College curriculum combines Western academic and Tibetan Buddhist disciplines. Through the development of wisdom and compassion, graduates are empowered with a sense of responsibility to work joyfully for the wellbeing of others. We serve our students and the region through diverse and relevant educational, religious, and community programs.
