We are excited to invite you to the course Buddhist Psychology: from Trauma to Enlightenment, instructed by 43rd generation Rinzai Zen Teacher, Lotus Vu.
The course will be held every Saturday, beginning March 15th for 7 weeks, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM (CST) via Zoom and In-Person for those in Regina, SK
For complete details and to purchase a ticket click here.
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.
Class 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 readings and discuss the 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.
About Lotus Vu
Lotus is the 43rd generation of the Vietnamese Thiền Lâm Tế Lineage of Nguyên Thiều (Rinzai equivalent in Japan). She had studied and practiced Zen for over 30 years under her teacher’s guidance. As a teenager, she attended retreats with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh. She studied Mahayana and Theradava Buddhism with many monastic teachers from Vietnam, taking a particular interest in the Buddhist psychological system of the unconscious: the Yogachara. Vietnamese Buddhism is eclectic and non-sectarian. Lotus has the experience of being able to study many Buddhist teachings and explore different paths since childhood. She had explored a variety of Buddhist traditions such as Theravada, Tantra, Pure Land and Zen since the age of 9, but chose Zen as her primary path.
Lotus lives in Regina, doing Zen while splitting her time between immigration law consulting for the IT Start-Up program and doing psychotherapy. She holds a Master of Science in Psychotherapy from McMaster University’s Department of Psychiatry and attended Western University and York University for her undergraduate in Business Administration and Psychology respectively. She continues to guide the Sangha from Regina.
We hope you will join us on this unique and transformative journey!