The Path of Practice and Study

The Feral Wisdom Path begins and continues with meditation.

Students are introduced to the Dharma and Compassionate Way of the Christ in the context of an ongoing meditation practice and liturgy.

Ultimately, the teaching consists of a series of programs designed to stabilise and strengthen a student's meditation practice, and to clarify their understanding of the Dharma, and support their process of realisation.

In order to provide an environment in which the Dharma can flourish in the West, Dharmacharya Gurudas Sunyatananda created The Dharma of Compassion --a uniquely personal and global vision of awakening that is accessible to everyone, regardless of their religious or non-religious affiliations, even in the midst of busy daily life.

This path is one which is accessible, user-friendly, and uncomplicated, but which demands a personal commitment of the student to engage both the practice and social action aspects of the teaching.

The teaching reminds us that we have the ability to become global citizens in thoughts, words and actions so that we can work together for peace, justice and sustainability. Our purpose and vision is to create a world culture of respect, compassion and solidarity, which can transform each of us and the planet into a place of wisdom and beauty, harmony and compassion.

The Practice Itself

For members of the Contemplative Order of Compassion, our path of practice is one of meditation, mindfulness, awareness, service and compassion. Whether a student, a lay practitioner or a monk, we deepen our practice through meditation, study and community involvement.

When we speak of our practice, we speak of it as the Way, or Dharma. The Dharma consists of the teachings of love and understanding, as introduced by the historical Buddha Sakyamuni and his descendants, in the form of discourses, commentaries and precepts, which show us the path leading to peace and deep insight, love and understanding.

The Dharma contains all the elements in our world of phenomena, and in the numenal world of our consciousness that guide us on the path of liberation. The living Dharma is contained in every corner of the universe.

In addition to the historical Lord Buddha, we recognise Avatars, Masters and Bodhisattvas, both real and mythical, as emanations of the Enlightened Mind or Buddha Mind -- among these, Rabbi Jesus (the Christ), Je Tsongkhapa, Kuan Yin/Aviloketesvara, Shantideva, and the long line of Tibetan tulkus.

We do not consider the superstition, drama and wilful misrepresentation of the truth that is often found in the cults of self-proclaimed and untrained gurus to be useful or healthy to our dharma practice. Such claims of having been visited by gods, goddesses or avatars is generally used as a diversion, so that sincere students will not notice the fundamental lack of formation, substance and proper training these supposed gurus and spiritual teachers possess, while unsuspecting students are systematically divested of their money, in a seeming "black hole" of no-accountability.

Our path is the path of the Dharma of Buddha and the Dharma of the Christ. We do not consider it necessary to pretend to have received divine revelations, or to employ gimmicks and vague new names for our path. It is the Dharma of Compassion, and it was has been transmitted through the lineage of our root teacher, Swami Abishektananda, to our teacher and spiritual advisor, Lama Gurudas Sunyatananda.

Our practice begins with taking refuge in the Three Jewels -- recognition of that which is most beautiful, truthful and beneficial to all sentient beings. Taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha enhances our awareness of our innate capacity for compassion and loving-kindness.