Cultivating the Heart

This engaging new class series offers a heartfelt exploration of the Paramis (Paramitas), or Perfections of the Heart, in Buddhist practice. Through a series of guided meditations, mini- Dharma talks, and discussions, co-teachers Kathy Schwerin and Deborah Stevenson will unwrap ten qualities of the mind/heart that help alleviate suffering. These practices include generosity, renunciation, ethics, truthfulness, patience, resolve, lovingkindness, wisdom, energy, and equanimity. The word “Parami” itself comes from the Pali and Sanskrit word “para,” meaning “beyond” or “ultimate,” and is connected to the idea of crossing the river of suffering to reach the “other shore” of nirvana.

Teachers:

Deborah Stevenson is a retired museum educator, artist, and avid hiker. Deborah first learned meditation in 1972 and sold her first painting when she was just 17. She has been teaching in a variety of disciplines for over 50 years. She is originally from Colorado and moved to Nevada in 2004. Deborah currently serves on the retreat committee for the Dharma Zephyr Insight Meditation Community. She has also been practicing energy healing through Reiki and qigong for over 20 years. Although Deborah has been leading heart-opening movement practices through Dharma Zephyr for several years, this is her first time co-teaching a class series in this manner.

Kathy Schwerin is a co-founder and Community Dharma Leader of Dharma Zephyr Insight Meditation Community. She began her Buddhist practice in 1987 and started teaching meditation and Buddhism classes in 1993. She has just retired from her psychotherapy practice but retains her minister license which enables her to perform weddings. She is also happy to help with memorials/celebrations of life and to help people sort out their meditation questions. She has traveled extensively; her Buddhist practice started in Asia where she loved the energy of the people and the images of the Buddha. Two pilgrimages to the sites of the Buddha’s life in India and Nepal were highlights. Contact her at Kathy Schwerin email.