Happy Course

HAPPY COURSE

Fall 2023 – Spring 2024 GEBIS Happy Course Schedule and Registration Links

Registration will open one month before the beginning date for each module.  To register, please either click the following link or email happycourse@gebis.org.

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The GEBIS Happy Course is comprised of 5 modules, each representing a specific topic.  Each module is a total of 8 hours in length, comprised of one 2-hour class per week over 4 weeks.  Classes occur on Wednesday evenings from 6pm to 8pm in both Charlottetown and Summerside.

Happy Course modules are designed to provide participants with tools to help enhance their emotional health and well-being.  Content for each module comes from a combination of ancient wisdom, scientific research and common sense.  Participants will gain personal insight through written, reflective and meditative exercises.  Module topics include:

Module 1 – Emotional Resilience & Mindfulness
Module 2 – Self-Compassion
Module 3 – Meditation
Module 4 – Cultivating Positivity
Module 5 – Compassionate Communication

 

Module 1 – Emotional Resilience & Mindfulness

Emotional Resilience & Mindfulness explores the important role our body plays in our own happiness and well-being. In everyday life, our bodies sometimes react to danger when there is no real threat. Or it holds on to a sense of danger after a threat has passed. This can lead to stress, anxiety or being unable to concentrate and learn.  This stress often compromises our physical health.

This module offers participants the practices of resilience skills and stress reduction techniques accompanied with mindfulness and meditation for regulating our emotions.

Module 2 – Self-Compassion

Self-Compassion offers essential tools for treating yourself in a kind, compassionate way whenever facing difficult life challenges. By learning daily life practices, along with group exercises, discussions and meditation, we strengthen compassion for ourselves and for others.

The module explores topics of common humanity, self-acceptance, self-kindness, self-forgiveness, and self-appreciation. If you find that you are harsh on yourself quite often, then this module will be helpful for you.

Module 3 – Meditation

This module draws on teachings from traditional Buddhism. There are two types of meditation – stabilizing meditation and analytical meditation. With the synthesis of these two skills, one can bring the restless mind under control and transform it into peace, acceptance, love and forgiveness.

There will be simple instructions, short discussion and actual meditative practices. The module is designed to suit both beginner and those who have some meditation experiences.

Module 4 – Cultivating Positivity

How often do we get stuck in negativity bias–focusing on others’ faults and blaming others for our suffering? How often do we observe and appreciate others’ kindness?  Based on ancient wisdom, this module offers participants practical tools to view ourselves and others from a positive perspective.  This positive outlook is a good foundation for building creativity, compassion, happiness and productivity.

Module 5 – Compassionate Communication

This module draws upon work from authors Marshall Rosenberg and Oren J. Sofer who are specialists in “Non-violent Communication”.  Compassionate Communication uses their techniques to build a basis for improving our relationships between people and within society. In this module, participants will learn (through interactive practice), techniques to help communicate more effectively within our daily life experiences

Based on this knowledge, participants can learn to honestly express themselves without judgement and listen to others with empathy.  Practicing compassionate communication skills will help to enrich your life both at home and work.

For more information, please email: happycourse@gebis.org

Buddhism Classes

Are you Interested in learning Buddhist philosophy? Buddhist ethics? Classes are held weekly in Charlottetown and Summerside for anyone who would like to explore and discuss Buddhist philosophy. 

Classes discuss The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Tib. Lam rim chen mo) one of the brightest jewels in the world’s treasury of sacred literature. The author, Tsong-kha-pa, completed the book in 1402, and it soon became one of the most renowned works of spiritual practice and philosophy in the world of Tibetan Buddhism. Because it condenses all the exoteric sūtra (Buddha’s scriptures) into a meditation manual that is easy to understand, scholars and practitioners rely on its authoritative presentation as a gateway that leads to a full understanding of the Buddha’s teachings.

If you are interested in Buddhist classes, please contact Michael Gaudet at michaelgaudet@gebis.org or phone 902-2186847

 

Outreach Requests

Organization seeking Happy Course presentations please contact Mary Lynn McCourt at marylynn@gebis.org
Ph. (902) 940-7041