FULL & CLOSED.
Break old habits, calm the mind, and discover freedom in the present moment through timeless Buddhist wisdom.
Many of us feel stuck in cycles of stress, anxiety, or reactive patterns that seem hard to change. But what if those habits aren’t fixed—and can begin to soften, even in a single moment of awareness?
Classes begin on Sunday, May 31, 2026 – 6 PM
Open Enrollment ends on May 24th. EXTENDED to May 27th.
An Extraordinary Course
Many of us find ourselves caught in the same cycles of stress, anxiety, self-judgment, or emotional reactivity—often feeling “hooked” by thoughts, fears, habits, and difficult situations before we even realize what is happening. In Buddhist practice, this tendency is sometimes called shenpa: the moment we become emotionally “hooked” and pulled into old patterns that keep us feeling stuck.
In this three-session online course, Buddhism 101: Breaking Habits, Finding Freedom, you’ll learn simple, practical mindfulness tools that help you recognize these patterns more clearly and gently “unhook” yourself from them with greater awareness, compassion, and freedom.
The course also explores an important Buddhist insight: that suffering itself can become a doorway to greater understanding, healing, and transformation. Rather than pushing away discomfort, fear, or emotional pain, we can learn how to meet our experience with mindful awareness and compassion—discovering that moments of difficulty can also contain the seeds of clarity, peace, and inner freedom.
Rather than avoiding discomfort or becoming overwhelmed by it, you’ll discover how to turn toward your experience in a more grounded and skillful way—allowing difficult emotions to settle and transform. As one teaching reminds us, when we understand our suffering, we suffer much less.
Through practical exercises, reflection, and discussion, this course offers a grounded and accessible introduction to Buddhist practice for beginners, non-Buddhists, and anyone looking for practical ways to work more skillfully with stress, habits, and emotional challenges in everyday life.
Perfect for beginners. No prior meditation or Buddhist experience needed.
101 – Open Enrollment & No Prerequisites
This course is part of the Buddhism 101 course series, designed to offer accessible and engaging introductions to various aspects of Buddhist philosophy and practice. Each module in this series stands alone, meaning you can enroll in any module without needing to complete others first. Whether you’re new to Buddhism or deepening an existing practice, you can jump into the topics that interest you most without worrying about prerequisites.
Book Selection
No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering by Thich Nhat Hanh
Taking The Leap: Freeing Ourselves From Old Habits and Fears by Pema Chodron
Please, purchase these book from our Amazon Affiliation Participation above. Click on book image. Thank you.
Course Dates & times
This course will meet online for 3-online classes on Sundays at 6 PM . The course dates are: May 31, June 14 & 28
More about the Course
Course Requirements: This 101 Course module has four components to be completed by the student.
- No prerequisites. Beginner-friendly.
- Reading the assigned excepts from the book and striving to complete the assignments.
- Attending the online classes.
- Attending our Sunday morning gathering if your live in Connecticut or local group.
- Reflect on and apply what is learned.
Attendance & Commitment: If you live in Connecticut, all students should strive to attend the Sunday morning Meditation & Talk Meeting attendance from the time oof enrollment to the end of the course. If you live outside of Connecticut, you should seek a local Buddhist group in your area (if there is one). This is part of the sedimentation process that allows students to assimilate the teachings into our daily life and to learn from other experienced teachers and practitioners. Community practice is an important component of the Buddha’s Way to spiritual transformation. We cannot do it alone and we need the sangha (community of practitioners) to help us along the journey.
Discipline: In order to experience spiritual transformation and realize understanding one must be committed to the process such as practicing at home, work and in relationships, attending the classes, a local Buddhist practice meeting, and completing all of the assignments. Our 101 course is not a book discussion group but is a structured program to help you to understand and live the Buddha’s teachings in everyday life.
Assignments: All assignments will be sent to students by email and must be completed before class. The course assignments will not cover every chapter in either book, and the instructor asks students not to worry if they are not able to complete all of the readings. The first homework assignment is due at the first class meeting.
Books: Students are responsible to purchase their course books at a local bookseller or online. Click the book images above to directly access Amazon.We suggest students purchase all books well in advance in order to allow enough time for delivery & the completion of assignments.
Limited enrollment. Sign up early to have the best chance of getting a place at the course and have the time to order and receive the books, and complete the 1st class assignment.
Investment: $195
Dharma Teacher (Rev.) G.R. Lewis, M.A. has been BFF of CT’s guiding teacher since 2001. A former student of the Venerable Thich Tri Hong and the esteemed and late Dr. (Rev.) Taitetsu Unno, he has practiced Buddhism for over 30 years. For details, see bio in Our Teachers web page under the ABOUT tab.
Be sure to read on the ticket the Refund Policy Disclaimer of Responsibility, Code of Conduct, & Image Release Agreement. By registering to this event, you have confirmed and agreed to these policies, agreements, code of conduct.