Photo of the bay by Mont St. Michel (France) by Margaret S. King

In this five-part series, Dharma teacher Margo McLoughlin will guide a weekly reflection on what are called The Four Heavenly Messengers. These are Aging, Illness, Death, and Spiritual Practice. At the heart of the Buddha's teachings is the invitation to look directly at the truth of dukkha or suffering, including the suffering inherent in having a human body. This is where we have the potential to become each other's teachers as we learn to meet the experience of aging, illness, and loss with a warm-hearted friendliness and tender curiosity, supported by the spaciousness of equanimity.

As part of this series, Margo will encourage participants to engage in some form of creative expression, whether it is writing poetry or prose, making some form of visual art, or composing music. This could be a beautiful practice in itself and a way to track our own journey to a place of greater understanding and acceptance of the truth of change.

This course is offered on a sliding scale: $60 - $100 for the whole series. Please send an e-transfer to margostoryteller@gmail.com. No security question needed.

Dates: Thursday afternoons, 2 - 3:30 p.m. April 17 and 24, May 1, May 15 and May 22 (Note: This course takes place over six weeks, with a one-week break on May 8.)

Location: The Genoa Building at the Comox Marina Park. Directions: From Courtenay, take Comox Avenue past Blue Heron Books. Turn right at Port Augusta and park at the Comox Marina park. The Genoa building is the sail-shaped building on the left as you face the water.