The Bodhisattva Path of Care: Syllabus & Schedule of Classes

Week #1 March 17: Program Orientation & Overview

Opening Contemplation

Student introductions

Teaching team introductions

BioBreak

Program design: course modules and components

Intention and focus of the program

Program expectations

Closing Contemplation

Week #2 March 24: A Therapeutic Framework: Buddhist Psychology Applied to Systems Counseling, Part 1

Opening Contemplation

From Samsara to Compassion in the Human Realm in Counseling: Four Noble Truth, Four Reminders, and Six Realms

Biobreak

Four Establishments of Mindfulness & Aggregates > Impermanence & Emptiness

Systems and Co-emergencen (in Relationships)

Closing Contemplation

Week #3 March 31: A Therapeutic Framework: Buddhist Psychology Applied to Systems Counseling, Part 2

Opening Contemplation

Who We Think We Are: Historical and Ultimate Dimensions

When Things Fall Apart: Aggregates and Interdependence

Biobreak

Relational Trauma, Relational Connection

The Caregiver-Client Relationship

Attunement and Acts of Translation on the Path of Care

Closing Contemplation

Week #4 April 7: “Neurobiology of We”: Trauma & Relational Repair, Part 1

Opening Contemplation

Introduction to Trauma and Polyvagal theory

Neural Pathways and the Process of Change

Biobreak

Cyclical Patterns and Beliefs Still Carried

Closing Contemplation

Week #5 April 14: “Neurobiology of We”: Trauma & Relational Repair, Part 2

Opening Contemplation

The role of Endorphins, Serotonin, Dopamine, and Oxytocin

How Trauma Turns into Other Mental and Physical Health Challenges

Biobreak

Connection as an Antidote to Pain

Closing Contemplation

Week #6 April 21: Compassion & the Path of Care, Part 1

Opening Contemplation

Three Bodhisattva Tenets

Attuned Presence: Relationship as Organism

Biobreak

Assessment and Case Conceptualization

The Buddhist View of Care

Sympathy vs Empathy

Empathy vs Compassion

Closing Contemplation

Week #7 April 28: Compassion & the Path of Care, Part 2

Opening Contemplation

Caregiver Archetype and Shadow Sides

The Ethics of Sustainable Care: G.R.A.C.E

Biobreak

Loving Kindness and Self Compassion

A Systems Approach to Intergenerational and Cultural Trauma

Closing Contemplation

Week #8 May 5: Counseling Skills, Part 1

Opening Contemplation

Five Pervasive Mental Factors

Five Levels of Responding to Others

Five Steps in Helping Others

Biobreak

Closing Contemplation

Week #9 May 12: Counseling Skills, Part 2

Opening Contemplation

Mind & Body Connection

Understanding the Mind Through Body Langauge

Biobreak

Deep Listening & Kind Speech

Self Reflection and Healing

Closing Contemplation

Week #10 May 19: Counseling Skills, Part 3

Opening Contemplation

Working in the Here and Now

Mirroring to Establish Rapport

Biobreak

Transference Vs Counter-Transference

Active Listening Tools

Closing Contemplation

Week #11 May 26: Mind & Body: Mindfulness Practices, Part 1

Opening Contemplation

Satipatthana: the Four Establishments of Mindfulness

Mindfulness of the Body

Mindfulness of the Feelings

Biobreak

Mindfulness of the Emotions

Closing Contemplation

Week #12 June 2: Mind & Body: Mindfulness Practices, Part 2

Opening Contemplation

Mindfulness Practice: Phenomena

Equanimity and Working with the Mind/Language

Biobreak

Psycho-Physiology and Working with the Body/Feelings

Buddhist-Informed Western Counseling Models

Closing Contemplation

Week #13 June 9: Workshop

Opening Contemplation

Construction and Dismantling of Self

Introduction to Transcript and Role Play

Biobreak

Role Play Tutorial & Examples

Closing Contemplation

Week #14 June 16: Transcript and Role Play #1

Opening Contemplation

Role Play with Transcripts 1

Biobreak

Role Play with Transcripts 2

Closing Contemplation

Week #15 June 23:  Transcript and Role Play #2

Opening Contemplation

Role Play with Transcripts 3

Biobreak

Role Play with Transcripts 4

Closing Contemplation

Week #16 June 30: Transcript and Role Play #3

Opening Contemplation

Role Play with Transcripts 5

Biobreak

Course Summary and Closing

Options Going Forward

Closing Ritual