Syllabus

Relearning How to Walk: A Study and Practice of the Eightfold Path

Awakening Together Zen Community

Syllabus

JAN 21st – OCT 20th 2024

What is the path that leads to the cessation of suffering? It is the Noble Eightfold Path, which consists of right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right contemplation. —The Buddha

Reading Materials

Core Texts:

Bodhi, Bhikkhu. (1984). The Noble Eightfold Path: Way to the End of Suffering. Buddhist Publication Society.

Ellison, Koshin Paley (2022). Untangled: Walking the Eightfold Path to Clarity, Courage, and Compassion. Hachette Book Group.

Deepening Text:

Shutt, Liên. (2023). Home is Here: Practicing Antiracism with the Engaged Eightfold Path. N. Atlantic Books.

Supplemental Reading:

TBD: Articles to be shared during the course. 

A Note - while the traditional language of “right” is utilized within the syllabus for each element of the path, you may also consider alternatives such as wise or skillful.  Try these different descriptors on and see what best resonates with your system

Schedule & Assigned Readings

All class sessions are 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Central, the third Sunday of each month with the exception of June, which will be the fourth Sunday.

Laying the Foundation

https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/koshin-paley-ellison-528

Session 1:        Prepare for the Journey & Orient Your Direction

 JAN 21st

Core:

Bodhi Preface & The Way to End Suffering

Ellison Part 1:  Before Your Journey & Part II:  Beginning to Go Beyond (Ch 1-7)

Deepening:

Shutt Preface, Introduction and  The Engaged Four Noble Truths:  We are Complete and Whole (Ch. 1)

Wisdom

https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/dara-williams-592

Session 2: Perceive the Landscape & Attune to the Terrain (Right View)

 FEB 18th

Core:

Bodhi Right View (Ch. II)

Ellison The Path is a Place of Practice (Ch. 8)

Deepening:

Shutt Skillful View:  Transforming Past Seeds Into Future Wholeness (Ch. 2)

Session 3:  Align the Heart-Mind's Compass & Know Your Motivation (Right Intention)

 MAR 17th

Core:

Bodhi Right Intention (Ch. III)

Ellison Perspective is a Place of Practice (Ch. 9)

Deepening:

Shutt Skillful Motivation:  Reconditioning the Field of Awareness to Wholeness

(Ch. 4)

Ethical Conduct

https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/eugene-cash-595

Session 4: Communicate Skillfully & Connect With Compassion (Right Speech)

 APR 21st

Core:

Bodhi Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood (Ch. IV), p. 35-43

Ellison Speech is a Place of Practice (Ch. 10)

Deepening:

Shutt Skillful Speech:  Shifting Speech to Wholeness (Ch. 7)

Session 5:  Mind Your Step & Enact Wholeness (Right Action)   

 MAY 19th

Core:

Bodhi Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood (Ch. IV), p. 43-48

Ellison Action is a Place of Practice (Ch. 11)

Deepening:

Shutt Skillful Enactment:  Wholeness with the Interbeing Contract (Ch. 8)

Session 6:  Do Good Work & Skillfully Support the Whole of Life (Right Livelihood/Work)

 JUN 23rd

Core:

Bodhi Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood (Ch. IV), p. 48-49

Ellison Work is a Place of Practice (Ch. 12)

Deepening:

Shutt Skillful Living:  A Life of Integrated Wholeness (Ch. 9)

Mental Discipline/Meditation

https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/joseph-goldstein-598

Session 7:  Activate "Just Right" Energy & Find Rest Within Continuous Practice (Right Effort)                             

 JUL 21st

Core:

Bodhi Right Effort (Ch. V)

Ellison Effort is a Place of Practice (Ch. 13)

Deepening:

Shutt Skillful Effort:  Activating Wholeness (Ch. 5)

Session 8:  Remember Attention in the Midst of the Journey & Expand to Embrace it All 

(Right Mindfulness)     

 AUG 18th

Core:

Bodhi Right Mindfulness (Ch. VI)

Ellison Attention is a Place of Practice (Ch. 14)

Deepening:

Shutt Skillful Mindfulness:  Liberation Awareness with Restorative Reframing 

(Ch. 6)

Session 9:  Ground in Awareness & Walk While the Heart-Mind Sits (Right Concentration)                             

 SEP 22nd

Core:

Bodhi Right Concentration (Ch. VII)

Ellison Seated Meditation is a Place of Practice (Ch. 15)

Deepening:

Shutt Skillful Concentration:  The Groundedness of Letting Go (Ch. 3)

Final Session

Session 10:  Integration - Embody the Inconceivable & Walk On 

(Continue to Walk the Path that is Yours to Walk)

 OCT 20th

Core:

Bodhi The Development of Wisdom & Epilogue (Ch. VIII) 

Ellison Mystery is a Place of Practice (Ch. 16)

Deepening:

Shutt Conclusion:   Wholeness is Here, Home is Here