The Platform of Joy – Sharon Salzberg, Mark Epstein and Robert Thurman

In a famous statement, the Buddha said that he taught one thing and one thing only: suffering and the end of suffering. Although this sounds like two things, he meant what he said. Within longing, behind addiction, beneath rage and under confusion lies a joy that is accessible to all. Uncovered during a period of self-investigation preceding his enlightenment, this joy became the wellspring of the Buddha’s psychology and the foundation of what he called the Middle Path. In more recent times, it has been rediscovered by some of the more thoughtful psychoanalytic practitioners of our own culture.

This evening’s gathering, bringing together three Western Buddhist therapists and teachers, will explore this platform of joy, what makes it available and unavailable, and how it can contribute to our psychological and spiritual health. Meditation will provide some relief from the discussion (or vice versa).