FEEDING YOUR DEMONS, with Lopön Chandra

Inspired by the ancient practice of Chöd, Feeding Your Demons (FYD) is a five-step process created by Lama Tsultrim Allione that allows one to offer nurturing and understanding to one’s own inner demons, our disowned shadow parts, rather than engaging them in battle and struggle. We all have our demons. Paradoxically offering compassion to the parts of ourselves we wish would go away, develops the potential for transformation from demon to ally. This allows the psyche to move from polarization to integration, and the energy that has been trapped in the demon becomes accessible as the ally. FYD is of great benefit when working with a wide variety of both personal and collective issues, including depression, anxiety, addictions, physical issues, fear, anger, relationship challenges, and other dilemmas of modern life.

Class will include a brief introduction to the five steps of FYD and a guided experience integrating art into the FYD process. Drawing, painting, or sculpting the images that appear in the FYD process enhances our capacity to meet, learn from, and dissolve patterns that limit our creativity and expression. In this class we will have a chance to draw the images that arise in the FYD process. Art supplies will be provided but feel free to bring your own.

Once a quarter, Chandra offers FYD as a part of her weekly meditation class, Releasing into Presence. This FYD and Art class will take place from 7-9pm (not the usual 7-830pm).

Feel free to bring your own paper/notebook and drawing implements if you like. Chandra will provide paper and colored pencils as well.

No prior FYD or art experience required. And if you think, “I can’t do that, I can’t draw.” Then come and feed that limiting belief in the five steps of FYD! It’s not about creating something beautiful or perfect, it’s about letting the therapeutic aspect of art making support the healing that the FYD practice ignites in us. Come and try it out!

All are welcome.

Logistics:

1.There is a large, free parking lot. For detailed directions, see: https://berkeleyalembic.org/contact

2. Doors will LOCK at 7pm. Please arrive early so you don't get locked out!

1. This class is streamed to the Alembic Youtube

Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton is a teacher, author, and translator of Tibetan Buddhist texts. She has taught Buddhism and Hatha Yoga since 2001 and co-translated Sublime Dharma: A Compilation of Two Texts on the Great Perfection, published in 2012.

While her training is rooted in Tibetan Buddhism (Mahayana and Vajrayana) and the Great Perfection (Ati Yoga; Dzogchen), her primary interest is making these traditional teachings relevant and accessible for our modern experience.

She is a Vajra teacher, Dorje Lopön, at Tara Mandala Retreat Center, founded by Lama Tsultrim Allione, where she serves on the Upaya Council, Prajna Council, and the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Council, which address the underrepresentation of people from different cultural, racial, sexual orientation, and social backgrounds in the Dharma. She is the author of Embodying Tara: Twenty-One Manifestations to Awaken Your Innate Wisdom (Shambhala Publications, 2023). To learn more about her teaching schedule, writings, and music, visit www.chandraeaston.com.

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