Gazing at the Moon

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An ongoing program for dedicated Prajnaparamita practitioners

For several years I’ve been working one-on-one with students, leading retreats in person and online, and since 2019 I’ve hosted a guided meditation and discussion group weekly on Tuesday evenings. 

It came to mind that a forum for group practice, discussion, and advanced study would be a beneficial offering for those who have significantly deepened their practice and aspirations. This program will combine the use of group meetings, assigned readings and study of important esoteric or Buddhist texts, practice intensives and exploration, and other materials developed according to the needs of the group.

The structure of the Gazing at the Moon program is intended to help dedicated students build a sustainable dharma lifestyle while learning to avoid falling into common pitfalls and to overcome challenges with practice.

Practitioners for whom this program will be best suited will likely already have some or all of the following qualifications:

• Have attended at least 1 retreat with Jason Bartlett, or have attended at least 8 Luminous Dharma weekly practices
• Are willing to live by the Buddhist precepts of non-harm
• Have reached some proficiency with samatha and vipassana practice
• Maintain a regular (daily) practice
• Are open to cultivating jhana, other forms of wise samadhi and exploring non-duality and suchness
• Are interested in actively working on integration of practice throughout all areas of life for the purpose of liberation 
• Open to exploring the Bodhisattva path of training
• Wish to more deeply and directly understand the teachings in the suttas and sutras 

Please continue reading the full description of this program before applying.

Thank you for your interest!

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Program Objectives

• To provide dedicated practitioners with a mentored spiritual training structure that will aid in the deepening of individual practice and self-discipline.
• To cultivate our conceptual and experiential understanding of the teachings of the Buddha.
• To foster a supportive community of spiritual friends who cultivate similar values and are at a similar stage or aim of their practice.
• To evolve with the needs of the group.

Practitioner Commitments

Participants are expected to make a sincere effort in meeting the following commitments:

1. Maintain an ongoing daily practice.
2. Commitment to attending close to 100% of the scheduled group meetings (it is understandable that this will not always be possible, but program students who frequently miss meetings will be asked to leave the program until they are better able to meet the commitment).
3. Actively engage with the monthly assigned texts and/or explore practices and investigations, as instructed by Jason.
4. Take the Three Refuges and the observe the Five Precepts as the foundation of their spiritual life during the program.
5. Explore taking and living by the Four Great Vows.
6. Cultivate the Six Perfections.
7. Designate one or more ‘Days of Observance’ per month, on which a heightened importance is given to your spiritual practice (e.g. following the Eight Precepts and making more time for spiritual cultivation on the selected days).
8. Stick with the program for a full year.

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Program Structure, What to Expect

• Group meditations
• Practice Q&A – getting deeper into emptiness, suchness and non-duality
• Discussion around building a personal practice that spans all of daily life out of the tools that are presented on retreat and in practice with Luminous Dharma.
• Sutra-based readings, development of practices, and general discussion
• Determining how to overcome the blocks to direct experiencing and resulting shifts
• Navigating the changes (in one’s life) that result from deep, direct understanding and awakening

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: If I am accepted into the program, may I share the password and website with my friends, partner or family so we can study and practice together?

A: No each applicant is considered based on their own commitment. If you are accepted into this program, only you will have permission to access the website, meetings and teachings. If you share the website and password with anyone else you will be asked to leave the program.

Q: About how many hours of time should I plan on each month for participating in this program?

A: Generally you can expect one 2-hour group meeting, about 3-5 hours of reading and/or possibly some short video viewing(s). Advancing your daily practice and cultivation are the most important aspect of the program, so you’ll want to maintain – or possibly increase – your time allotment to formal meditation sessions (in any of the postures). Further, you should come prepared to the group meetings with your practice or study questions and questions or comments pertaining to any reading assignments. The program is designed to evolve with the needs of those participating.

Q: I see there is a commitment to devote one ‘Day of Observance’ or more per month to the Eight Precepts and additional meditation. Does it matter what day of the week that is?

A: Whatever day in the week works for you and others in your life is absolutely fine. It can also be a different day each time, allowing flexibility to adapt to your life circumstances. The important thing is to set your intention and do your best to stick to the commitment whenever possible.

Q: Can we start an online discussion group for this program?

A: At this time there are no plans for using an app or other forums to have outside online discussion. That may change over time. You are of course free to be part of other outside groups, but we ask that participants do not start up discussion groups that center on Luminous Dharma or this Gazing at the Moon program.

Q: Can we ask relevant practice or study questions in between the dates when the group gets together?

A: Yes, there will be guidelines posted on the program website for the appropriate way to submit questions throughout the program. We may also post a Q&A directory to Jason’s responses for the most commonly asked questions.

Q: If I miss a deadline to apply, can I still join the program?

A: There will be periods of ‘open enrollment’ each year for new applicants and/or if one group is advancing on to other things after a fixed time for the program. The program has been set up to run from July of one year to end of June the following year. Please watch for an announcement next spring regarding the upcoming Gazing at the Moon advanced practitioner program.

Q: How much does it cost to participate in Gazing at the Moon?

A: The Gazing at the Moon program is freely offered to dedicated practitioners and is supported by contributions. Because of this, and out of respect for what is offered we ask all participants for a commitment to attend, participate, and earnestly practice throughout the full year of the program. If you would like to help support this effort and aid in helping the the program to continue, please consider monthly recurring donations or whatever you are able to give. If you wish to contribute please click here.

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Registration for Gazing at the Moon

The Gazing at the Moon program is scheduled to start in July of 2023.

If you feel you meet the necessary qualifications and commitments for the program, the next step is to submit your application for review using the link below. If you don’t qualify now, but are interested, future program dates will be posted here and on the Luminous Dharma News and Events page. To be notified when registration opens, please subscribe to Our Newsletter. Should you have any further questions, please email the program coordinator.

Please click here to register for the Gazing at the Moon program.

We ask that you please be patient after registering. We will be in contact with you soon to discuss next steps.

*The cut-off date for new registrations will be June 16th 2023.

Guiding Principles

The Three Refuges

1. To the Buddha, I go for refuge.
2. To the Dharma, I go for refuge.
3. To the Sangha, I go for refuge.

The Five Precepts

1. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking the lives of living beings.
2. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not freely given.
3. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.
4. I undertake the precept to refrain from false and harmful speech.
5. I undertake the precept to refrain from consuming intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.

The Eight Precepts

1. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking the lives of living beings.
2. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not freely given.
3. I undertake the precept to refrain from any kind of sexual activity.
4. I undertake the precept to refrain from false and harmful speech.
5. I undertake the precept to refrain from consuming intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.
6. I undertake the precept to refrain from eating at inappropriate times.
7. I undertake the precept to refrain from entertainment, beautification, and adornment.
8. I undertake the precept to refrain from lying on a high or luxurious sleeping place.

The Four Great Vows

1. Though the myriad beings are numberless, I vow to save them;
2. Though defilements rise endlessly, I vow to end them;
3. Though Dharma gates are innumerable, I vow to study them;
4. Though Buddha’s way is unsurpassed, I vow to embody it.

The Six Perfections

1. Generosity, giving of oneself, giving time and support where needed, when needed, with no thought of return.
2. Virtuous, non-harmful behavior. Doing what is the right fit, at the right time. Keeping on the wise path.
3. Patience, tolerance for people, situations and experiences outside our comfort. Acceptance and forbearance.
4. Energy, strength and diligence to stay on the path, when it becomes difficult and uncomfortable and when it is filled with bliss and ease.
5. Experiencing without subject and object. Contemplation on things outside our immediate understanding.
6. Wisdom, understanding, letting go of logic and embracing the void.