Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism

A Course on the Book by Chögyam Trungpa

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ABOUT THE COURSE

In 1972 Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche was published in the U.S.  Since that date it has sold upwards of half a million copies around the world.   

The book is a fierce and pure rendering of core Buddhist doctrine, aimed to educate and prepare an American audience to tread the path.  It is uncompromising in its dedication to egolessness, which is at the heart of the teaching of spiritual materialism and of Buddhism altogether.  These themes permeate the work.

Stressing the necessity of totally open communication and authentic being on the parts of teacher and student, Cutting Through describes the progress of the Buddhist practitioner from entrance, through the stages of the path, to enlightenment and beyond.  The chapter titles begin to communicate the flavor of these incisive teachings about how to live a true and good life.

Join us as we make our way through Trungpa Rinpoche’s mind and the Tibetan Buddhist path for 15 weeks.  Meeting on Tuesdays from 7-9 pm, we will begin each class with 30 minutes of meditation (instruction available before class on request), followed by an hour and a half of discussion and Q&A.  

Personal interviews will also be available on request.

Class will meet at the Aligned Center, 1 Bridge Street, Irvington.   

To purchase the book in advance click here.

Audio recordings will be available for those who cannot attend the class live. 

CHAPTER READINGS

4/16 Week 1: Introduction, Spiritual Materialism

4/23 (NO MEETING)

4/30 Week 2: Surrendering

5/7 Week 3: The Guru

5/14 Week 4: Initiation

5/21 Week 5: Self-Deception

5/28 Week 6: The Hard Way

6/4 Week 7: The Open Way

6/11 Week 8: Sense of Humor

6/18 Week 9: The Development of Ego

6/25Week 10: The Six Realms

7/2 Week 11: The Four Noble Truths

7/9 Week 12: The Bodhisattva Path 

7/16 Week 13: Sunyata 

7/23 Week 14: Prajna and Compassion

7/30 Week 15: Tantra

ABOUT THE TEACHER

John Baker has been teaching Buddhist thought and practice at the direction of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche since 1970. John co-edited Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism and the Myth of Freedom co-founded, ran, and has taught extensively at the Karma Dzong Meditation Center, Naropa University, Westchester Buddhist Center, and New York Buddha Dharma. He is also the author of various articles on Buddhism. More >

DIRECTIONS & ADDRESS

The Aligned Center

1 Bridge Street, Suite 64, Irvington, 10533 NY

• Aligned Center is situated right above the Red Hat restaurant, next to WBC's usual Irvington location at the Eileen Fisher Headquarters

• Park in the large lot in front of MP Taverna and walk into courtyard to the right of the Eileen Fisher Lab

• Go straight ahead to the "Foundry" entrance

• The office is on the second floor right at the top of the stairs

*WBC maintains a policy of making our programs affordable to all. Those with limited income please offer what you can afford on this page.

Questions about this program? Contact us!