The Power of Friendship on the Noble Eightfold Path

Instructor(s): Janet Surrey and Charles Hallisey

Program Description:

In the Kalyana Mitta Sutta, the Buddha describes beautiful spiritual friendship as the “whole of the holy life.” The teachings on friendship particularly emphasize the value of dhammakatha (dhamma talk) as a central element of wise friendship. Indeed, liberating insight is said to arise from “the voice of another” and “wise attention.”  In this program, we will investigate the power of friendship, dhamma talk, attention, and listening to the “voice of another.” We will explore the liberating power of dialogue through the meditative practice of Insight Dialogue and as an ever present possibility in all our relationships.

Noble Silence:

Noble silence will be observed following each evening session through breakfast the following morning. Additional silent practice periods will be scheduled throughout the program.

Experience Level:

Suitable for beginning and experienced practitioners.

About the Instructor(s):
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  Janet Surrey

  Janet Surrey, PhD is an Insight Dialogue Teacher. She teaches Insight Dialogue retreats worldwide and leads a longstanding practice group in the Boston area. She has practiced in the Insight tradition  for over 30 years, and trained as a Community Dharma Leader at Spirit Rock. Since 2007, Jan has worked intensively with Gregory Kramer and is currently serving on the Teachers Council of the Insight Dialogue Community. Jan is a practicing clinical psychologist and founding scholar of the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute at the Wellesley Centers for Women. She is on the faculty and board of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. She is the author of The Buddha’s Wife: The Path of Awakening Together.

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  Charles Hallisey

  Charles Hallisey is Yehan Numata Senior Lecturer on Buddhist Literatures at Harvard Divinity School where he teaches about Buddhist scriptures and Buddhist ethics as well as Pali language and literature. His translation of the Therigatha: Poems of the First Buddhist Women was published in the Murty Classical Library of India in 2015.