Class: Buddha's Four Noble Truths & Eightfold Path

Mondays, March 4, 11, 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Plymouth Church, 4126 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312, Room: Rehearsal Hall

Taught by: Charlie Day

Fee: $25

Register online or contact Nancy Slotterback, nslotterback@plymouthchurch.com or 255-3149

Or show up at first meeting and register.

Buddha’s first teaching was on the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path. It outlines the causes of suffering and how to end them through eight practices in wisdom, virtuous conduct, and mental discipline. Class lectures, discussions, meditation exercises, and home assignments will assist participants in intellectually and experientially applying the eight practices in daily life: Wise Understanding, Wise Thought, Wise Speech, Wise Action, Wise Livelihood, Wise Effort, Wise Mindfulness and Wise Concentration.

While especially recommended for those new to Buddhism, the class is also open to experienced meditators who would like to review this teaching. It’s the same class taught by Charlie at Plymouth a couple of years ago. Participants are asked to commit themselves to meditating at least 15 minutes on at least three days each week during the course and, hopefully, more often thereafter.

It is recommended but not necessary to use the following book as a resource during the course: “Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness” by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, Wisdom Publications, 2001. Order from local book stores or online at www.amazon.com.

Charlie Day graduated from Roosevelt High School, received a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Iowa and has worked in California, Iowa, India, and Thailand as a psychologist, psychotherapist, and teacher. He returned to Des Moines in 1994 to work for the Des Moines Child and Adolescent Guidance Center until retiring in 1997. Charlie has studied meditation practices and spiritual traditions for over 45 years. He founded and is the guiding teacher of the Des Moines Meditation Group; leads weekly meditation groups and occasional retreats in Des Moines and at the Iowa Correctional Institute for women in Mitchellville; administers the Group’s website www.DesMoinesMeditation.org, on which many of his articles appear; and guides individuals in their meditation and spiritual practices.