Eco-dharma Weekend



Adam Lobel, PhD, is a contemplative teacher and scholar-practitioner of philosophy and religion. Adam teaches at the intersection of ecologies, contemporary thought, Dzogchen Tibetan Buddhism, and transformational politics. A professor of ecopsychology and Buddhist psychology, he is curious about cultural therapeutics for our metamorphosing society. He leads ecodharma workshops called “Silent Transformations,” teaches in the Ecosattva Training and is a Guiding Teacher for One Earth Sangha.

A GreenFaith fellow, he is active in ecological and social justice movements. Adam served as an acharya in the Shambhala community from 2005 until resigning in 2018. He is currently developing what he calls “four fields” of a contemplative ecology. He lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his partner and two kids where he teaches at the Falk School of Sustainability at Chatham University and protects land from the petrochemical buildout in his region. For more on Adam and his teachings: www.releasement.org


Friday, April 28

Eco-Anxiety, Grief, Guilt, Paralysis: The Emotional Landscape Of Ecological Loss

PUBLIC TALK | ONLINE & IN-PERSON | 7-9PM
PROGRAM FEE $15, MEMBER $10, PATRON $30 (OR PAY WHAT YOU CAN)

As our Earth warms and extractive economics continues to destroy habitats, species, and marginalized human communities, the heartbreak and sense of powerlessness can be overwhelming. Or we numb out and just carry on. In this public talk, Adam Lobel, PhD, will explore the range of emotions now known as eco-distress. How can contemplative practices and emotional intelligence face these emotions? But how can we do so in a way that is not just a band-aid to temporarily“feel better”as the world burns, but as an alchemy that transmutes paralysis in participation, and grief into courage.
REGISTER HERE

Saturday, April 29

Earth Meditation, Earth Body: Elemental Mysticism & Embodied Ecological Spirituality in the Great Perfection

The Great Perfection (Dzogchen) tradition of Tibetan Buddhist and Indigenous Bön traditions is rooted in an elemental worldview. Profound practices of open awareness like the sky, embodied practices grounded in earth, blazing practices of fire, moving practices of winds, and flowing, oceanic practices like water are inspired by the elements, which also live in our bodies. In this two-part workshop, Adam Lobel, a practitioner and scholar of the Great Perfection, will guide meditations and explore teachings on embodiment and ecologies.
REGISTER HERE

Part 1 | 9:30am–12:30pm

WORKSHOP | ONLINE & IN-PERSON | PART 1 ONLY: $100

In Part I we will explore Earthy embodiment and a new relationship with body, earth, sky, and the elements. This will be a morning of deep practice, grounding, healing, and inspiration.

Part 2 | 2:30–5:30pm

INTENSIVE | ONLINE & IN-PERSON | PART 1 & 2: $150

For those who choose to stay for Part 2, we will expand the practices and explore how to engage such practices, not only when we are out in natural landscapes, but when we are in the midst of urban and even toxic spaces. Can such practices help us navigate global warming and contamination? Can we find elemental continuity and presence in our age of ecological loss?

Sunday, April 30

Open Awareness, Open Action

PUBLIC TALK | ONLINE & IN-PERSON | 9:30-11:30AM
PROGRAM FEE $15, MEMBER $10, PATRON $30 (OR PAY WHAT YOU CAN)

In this morning meditation and teaching open to all, Adam will inquire into the relationship between effortless, open awareness and the call for social and environmental action. How might the ease of awareness nourish skillful, patient, potent engagement?
REGISTER HERE