InsightLA Schedule

Pragmatic Dharma: An Interactive Approach to Awakening






Teacher(s):
VINCENT HORN
TEACHER BIO

Vincent Horn

Vincent Horn is a Buddhist Geek, meditation teacher, and explorer. He began his study and practice of Buddhist meditation at age 19, and over the next several years spent nearly a year doing intensive retreat practice in the Insight Meditation tradition. He has received a tremendous amount of guidance and support from teachers Trudy Goodman and Jack Kornfield, and in 2010 Jack Kornfield and other insight meditation teachers encouraged he and his wife Emily to begin teaching. He has also been fortunate to study with two pragmatic dharma teachers named Kenneth Folk and Daniel Ingram, both of whom gave Vincent permission to teach their unique style of pragmatic and uncompromising dharma—what some have called “pragmatic dharma.”

In 2006 Vincent combined his passion for Buddhist practice with an ongoing obsession with technology and media. The result was a Buddhist media project called Buddhist Geeks. One of the first offerings was a weekly audio program, which is now downloaded over 100,000 times each month. In addition Buddhist Geeks has launched a digital magazine and a host of online learning programs with some of today’s most innovative Buddhist teachers.

Vincent currently lives and teaches in Santa Monica, CA. In addition to teaching locally at the InsightLA center, founded by Trudy Goodman, he offers personalized instruction for those seeking support in waking up, and learning how to embody that realization in their daily lives. His focus is on awakening as something that’s completely achievable, and which is our birthright. At the same time he holds awakening as just one crucial aspect of becoming a more whole, sane, and loving human being.

Date(s): July 17 (Sunday) - August 28 (Sunday)
Time: 7:30pm-9:00pm (6 weeks)
Description: Pragmatic Dharma: An Interactive Approach to Awakening.

In this six-week class we'll be covering the theory & practices associated with an approach called 'Pragmatic Dharma.' Pragmatic Dharma is a modern approach to the path of awakening. It pulls from the time-tested teachings and practices of the Buddhist tradition, but is simultaneously infused with a modern mindset that isn't afraid to tinker with the traditional formulation. Pragmatic Dharma, at its core, is about asking the question: What works?

During this class we will cover the following teachings and practices:

- Interactive noting meditation - Using the Four Foundations of Mindfulness as a basis for exploring our human experience together.
- Open awareness practice
- The meditative absorptions (jhanas), the progress of insight, and stages of awakening
- The difference between 'content' and 'process' in meditation
- At the end of the course we'll also look into the limitations and potential downfalls of the pragmatic approach.

ABOUT THE TEACHER: We're delighted to welcome Vincent Horn, co-founder of, and driving force behind, the online web project, Buddhist Geeks. Learn more about Vince by visiting his website.

This course is designed for both beginning and intermediate level practitioners.

There will not be class on Sunday, July 31.

Some work exchange opportunities are available. Contact programs@insightla.org for more information.
Location: InsightLA Olympic
1430 Olympic Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Please note: Parking is metered every day from 9AM - 6PM, except on Sunday.
*This site is equipped with a chair lift for persons with limited mobility.
Directions: See Map
Contact the teacher Contact by email (expect responses Monday - Friday, only)
Level: All Levels
Cost: $135
Enrollment Limit: 40 | There are still openings for this class.




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