ABOUT DHARMA FACILITATORS PROGRAMME (DFP)

We need to develop and deepen our skills in communication.
DFP provides participants with the opportunity to explore and develop their understanding of the Dharma, suitable practices for daily life and cultivate and apply a range of communications skills.

If you have had three years contact with the Dharma, East or West, meditation, yoga, retreats etc, you are eligible to join the Dharma Facilitators Programme.
There are places for 40 people in each venue. see testimonials.

The programme consists of four meetings for four days, as well as opportunity for further contact with participants, plus reflections, meditation and writing between each session.

Starting in 2001, the new series (DFP4) will start in June 2007.
We will meet again in October, 2007, March and June in 2008.
Please do not leave it late to register.

All about DATES & INFORMATION

The DFP offers

• Opportunity to develop one's understanding of the Dharma alongside others
• In-depth study of major suttas (discourses of the Buddha)
• Training and development of facilitation skills and leadership with groups
• Opportunity to make commitments for daily life and report back to programme
• Exploration and discussion of personal experience
• Opportunities for participants to give Dharma talks and answer questions
• Seeing into the deepest levels of Dharma
• New features in the next series to explore and share the Dharma.

I will provide training in development of facilitation and communication skills whether at home, social life or working life, and provide regular written summaries on the process of facilitation and the art of listening and communication.

It is important that you make a commitment to attending all four meetings. Participants commit themselves to some readings and reflections between meetings.

The sessions explore:

1. Comprehensive study of the major suttas from the Middle Length Discourses. We provide participants with a brief summary of essential suttas in the Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, and an outline of ways to use these texts for insight and understanding. I will also invite participants to study and reflect on Awakening to the Truth by Vimalo Kulbarz. This is an article of 20,000 words about the exploration of profound realisations and associated themes. The article includes 300 quotes from awakened teachers in various traditions.
2. My book, Light on Enlightenment would also serve as a resource. It gives a commentary on 14 major groups that the Buddha emphasised, including Four Noble Truths, Eight Worldly Conditions Eight Jhanas and Four Noble Ones. To deepen and expand our understanding of the Buddha-Dharma, I believe it is worth knowing these groups intimately. Hans Gruber from Hamburg will provide knowledgeable support and detailed application to the study and application of the discourses.
3. Some of the participants have experience and knowledge in various fields, such as mind/body therapies, managing centres, organising events, training in communication and relationship of the Dharma to professional life. I will invite some of the participants to share their understanding of the Dharma through formal talks and question and answer sessions.
4. We will share our experiences and understanding of the Dharma both from the standpoint of practice and ultimate ways of seeing into the nature of things. We will look into our strengths and areas to develop. This will examining the place of formal meditation using method and technique whether on retreats or at home, and the place of formless Dharma in daily life.
5. Participants would have tasks outside the workshops, include study and reflections. Participants can keep in touch with each other through e-mails and letters.
6. It may emerge that a number of participants feel ready after the two year period to share with others their understanding of the Dharma, and thereby facilitate the expansion of the teachings and practices. The programme will include discussion on the ways that this might be possible, individually and collectively.

The programme is designed to contribute to greater self-other experience and knowledge through the daily dharma dialogue groups. I will provide training in the facilitation of disputes. DFP offers ways and means to attend to conflict resolution, whether at home, social life or working life. The programme provides regular written summaries on the process of facilitation and the art of listening and communication.

The sessions in continental Europe will take place in dharma centres or retreat centres. On average, this is about £22 or 35 Euros per night. I receive dana (donations) from the participants. The centre will cover my travel expenses.

As Brighton is a non-residential Dharma centre, we will invite Dharma friends in the area to offer accommodation to those traveling to Brighton for three or four nights or suggest inexpensive nearby bed and breakfast accommodation.

We are witnessing the Dharma take root in the West. We are the first generation of men and women to actively contribute to making this happen. The Dharma Facilitators Programme will help the process along.

I look forward to hearing from you. Do join the programme.

In the Dharma
Christopher Titmuss
Director
Totnes Devon, UK

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