The Heart Sutra:
A Conversation Between Wisdom & Compassion
A Reiki Origins Journey
NOTE: HeartScapes offers a seasonal cycle, guiding a deep-dive into one specific practice from Reiki’s origins, aligned with each Solstice and Equinox. These can be taken as stand-alone classes or as a full package (see below)
We will open the portal to Summer with the Heart Sutra, a short yet potent passage from the texts of Mahayana Buddhism that is central to the philosophy of Shingon Buddhism.
Chanting this 24-line sutra is one of the most ubiquitous practices within Buddhism the world over, particularly within the Japanese forms. Working with this sutra over time embodies within us a wide open mind, and as described by internationally known Reiki teacher Frans Stiene,
“The mind doesn’t cling to anything (worry, fear, or analyzing the present moment). It [the Heart Sutra] is seen as healing, empowerment, spiritual blessing. Feeling deep interconnectedness with everything, deep within our being.
When our mind is wide open we realize we are already interconnected, everything is interconnected with everything.”
Through chanting, breath and guided reflection, you’ll be led into relationship with this beautiful practice through three immersive 2-hour classes on Sundays, plus three hour-long practice sessions on Wednesday evenings.
Who is This Journey For?
This experience is for anyone with interest in Reiki and/or Buddhist practice, whether or not you have trained in it. This is an initial experience with a spiritual teaching and practice that runs very deep. If this introduction sparks curiosity or passion for going deeper, we’ll share resources on how you can learn and experience more.
Format:
Three Sunday classes, plus three optional Wednesday practice sessions.
Each 2-hour Sunday class session will include deep and meditative engagement with the Heart Sutra, supported through brief teachings about this text in the context of Japanese Buddhism, and group reflection on our experiences with this sutra. We will divide the 24-line sutra into three parts, working with 1/3 of it each week.
The Wednesday practice sessions will focus on chanting practice, to support you to ease into this challenging mantra. You will have access to recordings of each session and additional materials via a private webpage.
When & How:
Sundays Sept. 6, 13, & 20: 10am - 12pm Pacific Time / 1 -3pm Eastern Time
Wednesdays (optional) 9, 16 & 23: 5 - 6pm
Once registered, you are welcome to drop in to as many of these sessions as you like. We’ll gather over Zoom, link provided upon registration. Recordings will be made available.
Investment in Reiki’s Origins Classes & Package:
Individual Class Price: $115.
Package Price: Register for all 4 for $325, and experience a full year exploring beautiful Japanese Buddhist practices, each taught from the perspective of the system of Reiki. Simply select the Package ticket in any of the four classes listed here, and we will enroll you in all of them.
NOTE: We offer this cycle each year, so if you’ve missed any for this round, it will come around again! You’ll be enrolled in the next offering.
The full cycle of classes include:
Summer: Fudo Myo-o, the Immovable One: The Mantra of Wrathful Compassion
Fall: The Heart Sutra: A Conversation Between Wisdom & Compassion
Winter: Ajikan Moon Meditation: Nourished by the Moon to Become the Universe
Spring: The Medicine Buddha: The Healer Within Us All
Feel free to reach out with questions to michaela@heartscapesinsight.com