Liberation (Ages 15-18)

• 120Skillful Communication in Action

  Analyze complex communication scenarios (family conflicts, social tensions, leadership challenges, literary or public media sources) and synthesize Buddhist speech principles with conflict resolution techniques to create approaches that promote healing, understanding, and positive social change.
• 234Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha

  Analyze which qualities of the Buddha, the teachings, and group practices resonate personally, and evaluate why these elements are meaningful, interesting or inspiring to your own path.
• 406Loving-Kindness

  Analyze the nature of metta/loving-kindness; improvise a guided meditation that generates this quality; and initiate kind actions based on understanding all beings’ desire for happiness.
• 410Mindful Listening Practices

  Implement deep listening practices, and analyze the “listening pot” metaphor to identify essential conditions for effective communication.
• 411Right Speech

  Evaluate speech patterns by identifying personal examples of any of the four non-virtuous speech actions; then design and implement communication strategies that integrate Buddhist principles of truthfulness, kindness, and timing to create more harmonious interactions with others.
• 443Compassion

  Analyze the nature of karuna/compassion; guide unscripted meditation practices to generate this quality; and implement compassionate actions based on understanding beings’ desire for well-being and safety.
• 444Equanimity Overview

  Analyze interpersonal conflicts as learning opportunities, and develop a habit of acceptance and goodwill rather than avoidance and animosity when relating to difficult people.