(2 credits) According to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the key to happiness is not the eradication of our problems but rather the development of a mind capable of transforming any problem into a cause for happiness. In this course, building on our exploration of the lojong literature and practice tradition of Tibet from the fall term, we will expand our exploration of the tradition to modern practices and applications of lojong, and in particular, explore ways that this tradition can serve as a basis for our interaction in the world.
This class will include some traditional commentary on these texts, as well as analysis and exploration of the genre of lojong, including guidance for cultivating new mental habits for mastering our thoughts and emotions as well as contemporary treatments of lojong in the west, including approaches through popular culture, science, and in community.
