| Instructor: | Lotus Vu MSc, CCC, Psychotherapist |
| Course Dates: | Every Saturday, March 15 to April 26, 2025 |
| Course Time: | 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM Central Standard Time (Please check your local time to this) |
| In-class location: | Centennial Lounge, (2nd Floor) Knox Metropolitan United Church, Regina, SK |
| Virtual location: | Use this Link to Get Into Zoom Class Each Week! |
Course Description
This is an introductory course that will provide students with a theoretical overview and basic sample of practice of topics related to Buddhism’s approach to trauma and its transformation. This course provides introductory Buddhist teachings regarding trauma through the lenses of Buddhist foundational tenets, Buddhist Psychology of the Unconscious (Yogacara), and the outline of experiential practice of Zen meditation in transforming trauma. The course will also cover some basic modern psychology definitions and frameworks for the treatment of trauma to establish similarities and differences between the Buddhist approach to trauma and the current clinical framework.
Course Objectives:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the basic tenets of Mahayana Buddhism and how it treats trauma.
- Acquire knowledge of the fundamental Buddhist map of practice, which purports to liberate practitioners from trauma and suffering.
- Experience basic experiential knowledge of some Buddhist meditation practice which establish the foundations of healing and transformation from trauma.
- Learn the basic framework of the modern psychology clinical approach to trauma.
- Demonstrate an overview of the Buddhist framework to liberation from trauma.
- Understand the importance of spiritual practice and a community connection and support in trauma recovery.
Recommended Readings:
Epstein, M. (2013). The trauma of everyday life.New York, The Penguin Press. A copy can be purchased on Amazon or at Thrift Books.
Thich Nhat Hanh, (2002). Understanding Our Mind: 50 Verses on Buddhist Psychology. Berkeley, CA, Parallax Press. Free pdf here.
Waldron, SW. (2023). Making sense of mind only: Why Yogācāra Buddhism matters. New York, Wisdom Publication. A copy can be purchased on Amazon.
Moore, M. (2020). Hidden Zen. Boulder, Colorado, Shambala. A copy can be purchased on Amazon or Thrift Books.
Lewis, SE. (2020). Spacious Minds: Trauma and Resilience in Tibetan Buddhism. Ithaca & London, Cornell University Press. A copy can be purchased at Amazon or Thrift Books.
Course Format:
- A 15 to 30 minute meditation at the beginning or end of class.
- Students will be able to participate through Zoom or in person. In-person is recommended for all those living near or in Regina, Saskatchewan.
- Presentation slides may be uploaded to the course website for access after class.
- Some weeks may have short assigned readings before class.
- Students are encouraged to evaluate the assigned readings/video each week and discuss its application.
- Student participation is crucial to build a positive learning environment where everyone feels safe and encouraged to pose questions, share experiences, and engage in open dialogues about the content of the course.
* Audio or video recording in the classroom without permission of the instructor and is strictly prohibited.
Participation
Your active participation in the class will contribute to your learning and understanding, which will enhance your personal growth. Students are encouraged to attend all classes in-person if they live near or in Regina, and live through Zoom (turning on your video) if they live elsewhere to create a sense of continuity and community.
Late attendance will not be permitted as it disturbs the experiential meditation session at the beginning of each class. If you’re late to the in-person class, please remain outside the door until the meditation session is completed.
Accessibility Statement
Clear Way Zen recognizes that people learn and express their knowledge in different ways. We are committed to reducing barriers to accessibility in the classroom and working towards classrooms that welcome diverse learners. If you have accessibility concerns or want to talk about your learning needs, please contact the course instructor. The classroom can be wheelchair accessible through an elevator.
Course Schedule and Course Contents Each Week
Video recordings, homework, and PowerPoint slides will be posted here after each class.
Note that the instructor reserves the right to modify elements of the course.
For questions about the course, please contact lotusvu@clearwayzen.ca
About the Instructor
Lotus have trained and practiced Zen for 35 years in the Lâm TếThiền (Rinzai equivalent) tradition from Vietnam studying with her teacher Master Thich Vien Minh and attended many retreats with Thich Nhat Hanh during her childhood and adolescent years. She earned a Specialized Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Developmental Psychology at York University in Toronto and a Master of Science in Psychotherapy at McMaster University in Hamilton. She learned from well-known clinical psychologists and researchers in the field of developmental trauma at York University where she spent three years in the developmental lab of Dr. Pillai-Riddell studying the effects of early childhood trauma on attachment and development (OUCH LAB). She worked as a staff writer/researcher for Dr. Robert Muller‘s “The Trauma and Mental Health Report” at York University for two years, exploring trauma’s many aspects on adult development. She wrote articles about the Polyvagal Theory and Spiritual Crisis. While at McMaster University, She trained as a clinician at St.Michael’s Homes mental health and addiction treatment center in Toronto where she helped clients heal from chronic substance abuse, anxiety, depression, trauma, complex trauma, grief, loss, complex mental health and behavioural challenges. Her clinical specialization is in the psychological treatment of PTSD and Complex PTSD arising from developmental trauma.
Lotus volunteered and supports the initiative at the Toronto Centre for Applied Buddhism in establishing the volunteer guidelines framework for the Toronto Centre for Applied Buddhism, which works in conjunction with Emmanuel College at the University of Toronto to provide practicum training for students of the Master of Psycho-spiritual Studies program. TCAB also provides accessible Buddhist peer counselling support courses for Buddhist practitioners and free psycho-spiritual counselling for the community in Toronto. She hopes that this program, in the future, will be expanded to provide free psycho-spiritual counselling for Buddhist practitioners across Canada.