The Eight Worldly Concerns: Overcoming the Obstacles to Genuine Happiness
Navigating Life’s Ups and Downs with Wisdom
During this 4-week course, we will explore the ‘Eight Worldly Concerns’, said to be the driving attachments and aversions that we constantly cycle through in our pursuit of happiness and avoidance of pain.
These are four hopes and their corresponding fears, and fixation with these ‘worldly winds’ is said to be an obstacle to experiencing genuine, lasting wellbeing and happiness.
Together, we will explore how to cultivate a kind of equilibrium amidst the waves of ups and downs in our life, leading to a profound sense of peace and contentment. This does not entail a passive approach to life, its challenges, or our aspirations, but rather greater freedom in how we meet them.
Week 1: Gain and Loss
Week 2: Fame and Insignificance
Week 3: Praise and Blame
Week 4: Pleasure and Pain
Exploring these deeply in our own experience will offer insights into what our daily obstacles to wellbeing and inner peace are, and how to overcome them.
These classes consist of guided meditations, talks and discussions covering a different aspect of Buddhist meditation each week.
About the Study Group Leader
Our Study Group is led by David Oromith. David is a Buddhist contemplative, meditation guide and retreat leader. He is the Co-Founder of Samadhi and author of the book A Practical Guide to Mindful Living. He has received non-monastic ordination in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and teaches workshops internationally, leads retreats across the UK and runs classes locally.
David is a follower of the rimé (non-sectarian) approach, recognising the value and benefit of multiple points-of-view, with teachers in all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. His primary teacher is Lama Alan Wallace, who is also rooted in a non-sectarian approach, with particular close affiliation with the Gelug and Nyingma schools and the Dudjom lineage.
Dates & Format:
Our Study Group takes place on Tuesdays, 7.00pm-8.30pm (UK time – check your timezone here). There are occasional breaks when David is away hosting retreats and for term holidays. Upcoming dates can be seen when booking below. Recordings are made available to participants who would like to follow along at their own pace.
Sessions consist of a meditation, teachings on our course material, and group discussions of our experience and questions.
Participants can join the Study Group at any time and at any point in the series. There’s no need to wait until you’re caught up to join a live session, though you’re welcome to watch the recordings at your leisure.
Other Timezones: CET: 8-9.30pm
Americas 11am PST, 12pm MST, 1pm CST, 2pm EST
Australia Wednesdays 5am AEST • NZ Wednesdays 8am NZDT
Correct as of February 2025 – please click here to check the time in your region.
Booking & Donation:
This Online Study Group relies entirely on donations. Only through your honest generosity will we be able to continue offering these sessions for the benefit of all. You can make a donation using one of the options at the checkout, or by visiting this page.
We suggest a donation of £25 for this course, but you’re able to offer within your means.
It is customary to offer dana (a donation) to support the teacher and the activities of the dhama organisation. No one is excluded from participating for lack of funds, but if you’re able to, as is tradition, please consider making an offering. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and all money raised goes directly into supporting our activities and fundraising for the Samadhi Eco Retreat Centre.
By booking with us, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions, which can be viewed here.
Speakers
Speaker
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David OromithBuddhist Contemplative, Author and Meditation GuideDavid is a Buddhist contemplative, author, meditation guide and retreat leader. He is the Co-Founder of Samadhi, an organisation based in the UK and a member of the UK’s Network of Buddhist Organisations. He teaches workshops internationally and online and leads retreats across the UK. Through his clear and practical teaching style and warm and humorous approach, David inspires people to take back control of their thoughts and feelings and discover genuine wellbeing within.
