Freeing the Buddha: Diversity on a Sacred Path-Large Scale Concerns

Sit, relax and wake up! Study major aspects of Theravadin Buddhism. Buddhist techniques can help us through the confusion of life towards peace of mind. Learning to be detached from constant change opens an opportunity for peace. Brian Ruhe’s defining work “Freeing the Buddha” reveals the core-splitting truth which dismantles Buddhist myths and enables you to seize the essence of your live and experience the rapture of being alive.

‘Freeing the Buddha’ is divided between Part I - a course with teachings, meditations, powerful visualizations, action plans and Part II - a far ranging collection of essays to take you off the plateau you are currently on and venture up the next mountain that is challenging you. Tranquillity meditation practice directs you inwards to a focused calm which can lead to joy and bliss. Vipassana - insight meditation, is a simple and direct practice- the moment-to-moment investigation of the mind/body process through calm and focused awareness. Learn to observe your experience from a place of stillness.

Meditation can be used to enhance health, well-being and insight and is taught in a straight forward way so that it can be used in daily life - which is the real meditation. Learn how to teach it yourself and discover the ‘Path to Enlightenment.’ During the 45 years of his ministry Gotama Buddha taught various aspects of his noble eightfold path. You will gain a foundation in Buddhism by studying each spoke in this ‘wheel’ of teachings.

Explore the two great qualities of enlightenment - wisdom and compassion and do visualization practices to crack open the heart. Awaken your loving kindness, compassion, altruistic joy and equanimity.

An inspiring book, which Brian co-wrote with his wife, Pia. It looks at the confusion and misrepresentation that so often accompanies great ways of thinking, such as the altering of the Buddha’s discourses and changes in Christian history. You will compare and understand why Buddhist traditions are so different today. ‘Freeing the Buddha’ also teaches you how to convert emotional reactions like anger and fear into positive actions, using sacred techniques to connect with inner wisdom. This book promises to be fascinating and fun! Learn to be genuine in every moment of your life. A provocative author, Brian Ruhe trained as a Buddhist monk in Thailand and currently teaches Buddhism at the University-College of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada and leads retreats wherever he is invited. You will appreciate Brian's humour and openness.

A five page book report and course information is available on the author’s website at home.istar.ca/~bar/

Brian Anthony Ruhe, author of Freeing the Buddha - Diversity on a Sacred Path - Large Scale Concerns has an insight into Buddhism and meditation that can only be had by someone who practiced and studied seriously in a Tibetan Buddhist Centre, was a monk in Thailand, and was employed full time as the public relations official for the largest Chinese Pure Land Buddhist temple in Canada. He’s seen the best and the worst of a variety of traditions from the inside looking out and he can be more honest than the lineage holders of many Buddhist traditions. He has lectured at UBC and he taught for three years at Douglas College. On CBC national radio he explained the new innovation of teaching meditation by teleconference to stressed out dot.com executives. Brian also currently teaches Buddhism and Meditation in Adult Ed. at the University-College of the Fraser Valley, and four School Boards.

Raised within a Unitarian background, Brian was exposed early to the spiritual dimension of life. Originally from Ontario, he studied business and philosophy at Brock University, and moved to Vancouver in 1980, continuing his studies at BCIT. After working in the financial planning industry selling mutual funds for eight years, he felt that although he was a reasonably happy individual, something was “missing” from his life. Like many of us, he was haunted by the need for meaning and purpose in life.

Brian considered a number of different spiritual paths. He was drawn to Buddhism because of its penetrating insights into the nature of the mind. After immersing himself in Buddhist teachings he quit the financial planning business, and became a true seeker. The first stage of his journey was a six-month stay at a Tibetan Buddhist centre in Vermont, founded by Chögyam Trungpa, after which he moved for four years to Thailand, a Theravadin Buddhist country. In Thailand he studied and practised at various temples and meditation centres, gathering teachings and deepening his meditation practice. He spent a short time in the monkhood with the name Buddhasaro. At his home temple, Wat Ram Poeng, in Chiangmai, Northern Thailand, he was trained by the abbot, Ajhan Supan, to be a Vipassana meditation instructor. It was in this setting that Brian first began to teach and give formal lectures on Buddhism to the dozens of Westerners who came to the monastery for month-long meditation retre! ats. It was in this setting, as well, that Brian decided that it was time for him to return to his homeland to share his insights and experiences.

As a Theravadin Buddhist Brian has a grasp on the original blueprint of what the Buddha taught and on how clearly the Buddha’s words are understood in the world today. Brian offers courses of study presenting timeless teachings in a fresh way, working with ideas from other Buddhist teachers from many traditions to magnetize and empower people to work out the truth for themselves. “Awakening your heart means coming to know that you weren’t born to learn anything — you were born to remember,” he says. He believes that the boundaries between faiths are dissolving and that in this climate of change we may come to share more realistic, effective and workable tools in the governance of our lives. That is Brian’s vision. That is how Brian sees himself benefitting others by contributing to growth and change.

website: home.istar.ca/~bar/ Tel. (604) 733-8477 Fax. 733-8892 bar@istar.ca #217 - 1450 Chestnut Street Vancouver, B.C. V6J 3K3