The Bodhisattva Path of Care: Syllabus & Schedule of Classes

Week #1 March 17: Program Orientation & Overview

  • Opening Contemplation
  • Student introductions
  • Teaching team introductions
  • BioBreak
  • Program design: course modules and components
  • Intention and focus of the program
  • Program expectations
  • Closing Contemplation

Week #2 March 24: A Therapeutic Framework: Buddhist Psychology Applied to Systems Counseling, Part 1

  • Opening Contemplation
  • From Samsara to Compassion in the Human Realm in Counseling: Four Noble Truth, Four Reminders, and Six Realms
  • Biobreak
  • Four Establishments of Mindfulness & Aggregates > Impermanence & Emptiness
  • Systems and Co-emergencen (in Relationships)
  • Closing Contemplation

Week #3 March 31: A Therapeutic Framework: Buddhist Psychology Applied to Systems Counseling, Part 2

  • Opening Contemplation
  • Who We Think We Are: Historical and Ultimate Dimensions
  • When Things Fall Apart: aggregates and interdependence
  • Biobreak
  • Relational Trauma, Relational Connection
  • The Caregiver-Client Relationship
  • Attunement and Acts of Translation on the Path of Care
  • Closing Contemplation

Week #4 April 7: “Neurobiology of We”: Trauma & Relational Repair, Part 1

  • Opening Contemplation
  • Introduction to Trauma and Polyvagal theory
  • Neural Pathways and the Process of Change
  • Cyclical Patterns and Beliefs Still Carried
  • Closing Contemplation

Week #5 April 14: “Neurobiology of We”: Trauma & Relational Repair, Part 2

  • Opening Contemplation
  • The role of Endorphins, Serotonin, Dopamine, and Oxytocin
  • How Trauma Turns into Other Mental and Physical Health Challenges
  • Biobreak
  • Connection as an Antidote to Pain
  • Closing Contemplation

Week #6 April 21: Compassion & the Path of Care, Part 1

  • Opening Contemplation
  • Three Bodhisattva Tenets
  • Attuned Presence: Relationship as Organism
  • Assessment and Case Conceptualization
  • The Buddhist View of Care
  • Sympathy vs Empathy
  • Empathy vs Compassion
  • Closing Contemplation

Week #7 April 28: Compassion & the Path of Care, Part 2

  • Opening Contemplation
  • Caregiver Archetype and Shadow Sides
  • The Ethics of Sustainable Care: G.R.A.C.E
  • Loving Kindness and Self Compassion
  • A Systems Approach to Intergenerational and Cultural Trauma
  • Closing Contemplation

Week #8 May 5: Counseling Skills, Part 1

  • Opening Contemplation
  • Five Pervasive Mental Factors
  • Five Levels of Responding to Others
  • Five Steps in Helping Others
  • Closing Contemplation

Week #9 May 12: Counseling Skills, Part 2

  • Opening Contemplation
  • Mind & Body Connection
  • Understanding the Mind Through Body Langauge
  • Deep Listening & Kind Speech
  • Self Reflection and Healing
  • Closing Contemplation

Week #10 May 19: Counseling Skills, Part 3

  • Opening Contemplation
  • Working in the Here and Now
  • Mirroring to Establish Rapport
  • Transference Vs Counter-Transference
  • Active Listening Tools
  • Closing Contemplation

Week #11 May 26: Mind & Body: Mindfulness Practices, Part 1

  • Opening Contemplation
  • Satipatthana: the Four Establishments of Mindfulness
  • Mindfulness of the Body
  • Mindfulness of the Feelings
  • Mindfulness of the Emotions
  • Closing Contemplation

Week #12 June 2: Mind & Body: Mindfulness Practices, Part 2

  • Opening Contemplation
  • Mindfulness Practice: Phenomena
  • Equanimity and Working with the Mind/Language
  • Psycho-Physiology and Working with the Body/Feelings
  • Buddhist-Informed Western Counseling Models
  • Closing Contemplation

Week #13 June 9: Workshop

  • Opening Contemplation
  • Construction and Dismantling of Self
  • Introduction to Transcript and Role Play
  • Role Plays Tutorial & Examples
  • Closing Contemplation

Week #14 June 16: Transcript and Role Play #1

  • Opening Contemplation
  • Role Play with Transcripts 1
  • Biobreak
  • Role Play with Transcripts 2
  • Closing Contemplation

Week #15 June 23:  Transcript and Role Play #2

  • Opening Contemplation
  • Role Play with Transcripts 3
  • Biobreak
  • Role Play with Transcripts 4
  • Closing Contemplation

Week #16 June 30: Transcript and Role Play #3

  • Opening Contemplation
  • Role Play with Transcripts 5
  • Biobreak
  • Course Summary and Closing
  • Options Going Forward
  • Closing Ritual