The Five Ethics
Ahimsa (Non-Violence)
I will do no harm, recognizing that I am connected to all living beings.
Satya (Honesty)
I will speak the truth as I perceive it and not deceive anyone.
Asteya (Non-Stealing)
I will be satisfied with what I have and only take what is freely given.
Bramacharya (Wise Use of Energy)
I will encounter all beings with respect and dignity.
Aparigraha (Non-Greed)
I will use all the ingredients of my life and practice generosity.
We are living in a time when people are asking questions. We’re exhausted by the news and feel fear, sadness, and anxiety. What do we do? How do we stay plugged into our values and how can we be of service?
Michael created Embodying Ethics & Vows in Modern Life because, like you, he wanted to bring greater internal awareness out into the world. He wanted to give people who are asking the same questions a chance to connect, to go deep, and really reflect. To build a vibrant community of people who support each other in waking up.
The Five Ethics come from Patanjali’s Yoga-Sutra and the teachings of Buddha. Because of our Victorian and religious heritages we might think of ethics as rules or commandments rather than suggestions on how to live, but that’s exactly what these ethics are—guidelines for living a life of wisdom and care. You’ll learn how to turn these guidelines into daily practices that will help you with your choices and actions in the world.
What is Embodying Ethics & Vows in Modern Life?
Taught by Michael Stone, with facilitator Elaine Jackson, Embodying Ethics & Vows in Modern Life is an inclusive 9-week online course that teaches The Five Ethics as guidelines that will help you gain greater internal awareness so that your choices and actions in the world are aligned with your values.
An option in this course is to work with a partner. We encourage you to register with a friend or someone who you’ve met on retreat or at a workshop.
We set the rhythm for the course, releasing a new lesson each week. You can study at your own pace throughout the week, across different time zones.
Embodying Ethics & Vows in Modern Life is our most popular course. It’s surprisingly intimate, beautifully organized, and features brand new content. Plus you’ll get lifetime access to the course.
Who is Embodying Ethics & Vows in Modern Life for?
This course is for you if you want to live in modern life and awaken at the same time. It’s for you if you’re looking for meaning amidst unsettling current events or are trying to figure out what to do with aspects of your own life, like career or relationships.
- You’re an experienced yoga and/or meditation practitioner—but good headstands and backbends aren’t solving your emotional troubles and sitting and following your breath isn’t giving you better communication tools, so the idea of studying and embodying The Five Ethics will fill in a gap and deepen your practice.
- If you’re a teacher or therapist, you want to learn a language for how to bring ethics, Buddhist philosophy, and mindfulness into your work or secular environment.
- You’re a raw beginner and you’re interested in starting your practice with these core teachings.
You’re willing to self-evaluate and explore how things come up for you regarding your life and relationships.
You want to learn mindful speech and practical tools that’ll help you deal with difficult life situations. You also welcome the opportunity to become part of a community that will challenge and vitalize your understanding and embodiment of Buddhist practices in everyday life.
You’re able to make time and space for this course in a way that doesn’t feel like you’re just shoving it in. We ask that you’re sure of your commitment.
The Benefits
Embodying Ethics & Vows in Modern Life will help you with your interactions with the external world—through your actions, words, and thoughts—and will plug you into values that will allow you to be more awake and of service.
You’ll learn:
- about mindful speaking/right speech
- to work skillfully with chronic habits and issues that arise in relationships and community
- how to share in a safe environment
- how to ease up on yourself (and not bash yourself for having needs)
- to identify cultural ideas of success that are harmful
You’ll finish the course with:
- a framework for decision-making
- new skills for regulating emotions through movement and mindfulness
- renewed focus and a deeper commitment to your practice
- a new level of authenticity
- more compassion for yourself and others
- deep friendships
- the commitment to uphold the ethics
How does the course work?
You’ll receive weekly video teachings with Michael via our easy-to-use custom-built online learning platform. Videos are available for streaming or download. You can also listen to an audio-only MP3 version.
Should you run into any problems, friendly and helpful technical support is available.
Sliding scale spaces are available by application. Please note, it can take up to a week to receive a response.
Commitment
Expect to commit to a minimum of 2 hours a week, to watch the videos and connect with the community in the forum.
In addition, please expect the following:
Homework
This course includes homework to provide opportunities for self-reflection and to help you integrate what you’ve learned into your life and practice. We encourage you to sign up with a friend as partner homework is provided (individual homework/reflections are also provided). A reading list is also included.
Daily Meditation Practice
We ask that you commit to a daily meditation practice of 30-45 minutes during the 9 weeks of this course. We’ll provide downloadable guided meditations to get you started.
Required Reading
Preceptions (offered as a free PDF download)
Yoga for a World Out of Balance by Michael Stone
Living with the Devil by Stephen Batchelor
Being Upright: Zen Meditation and the Bodhisattva Precepts by Reb Anderson
