From Struggle to Strength: The Art of Mind Training
Full day workshop with Venerable Dechen

 On-site & Online | White Mahakala Buddhist Center
 Sunday, 14 December 2025, 11 AM
 Str. Tipografiei nr. 18, interfon nr. 7, Cluj-Napoca

We have all heard a lot of advice on how to be happier, but no matter how much effort we might apply in that direction, there are always circumstances where that seems impossible, and we return to our old mental habits in the face of adversity. Additionally- pleasant, wholesome experiences can seem short-lived and inconsequential.
In this workshop we will focus on an advanced Buddhist practice called lojong – or mind training – which can teach us to skilfully adapt both adversity and good fortune into strength on our spiritual path.
We will look into the ancient wisdom of this practice, and how it can serve us in the modern age through difficult times. Through applying this practice with skilful effort, we can develop resilience and even thrive through life’s challenges, and come out of them with greater capacity for compassion.
Ultimately, we will develop abilities to reconstruct even our most awful circumstances into energy for loving action, to lessen the suffering of ourselves and other living beings.

In brief:
Our life is necessarily a journey through ups and downs, and both of those situations are fertile ground for our intentions to thrive and bloom into actions and habits. Out of these two, the worst moments – adverse situations – offer us a precious opportunity to empathise with those who suffer, to truly sit with suffering and take it in with compassion, and to use that awareness to push us to take action towards the betterment of all living beings.

Key Points:
– Just like good situations can be used to cultivate gratitude, unpleasant situations have their own usefulness to cultivate other skills
– The Ancient Buddhist practice of lojong can help us make the most of those situations and thrive on our spiritual path

Learning Outcomes
– Get acquainted with new practices of loving awareness towards our unpleasant feelings
– Acknowledge that suffering can be fuel for loving action
– Leave with a sense of equanimity in the face of adversity

 The workshop can only take place thanks to our facilitators. On-site access is limited to 15 people. You can secure a spot by completing the following sign-up form and paying a donation:
General – 100 RON
Generosity – 150 RON
https://forms.gle/FRtkasgrhCN2n96eA
This helps cover the workshop costs and the contribution for our facilitators.
 Center MEMBERS with paid memberships for the last 3 months receive a discount of 50 RON 

 You are warmly invited to become a member and support the Center by making a recommended monthly donation of:
* SUPPORTER – 100 RON/lună
* GENEROSITY – 200 RON/lună
 For donations:
* Account: Asociația Centrul Budist White Mahakala
RO60BTRLRONCRT0417728301, Banca Transilvania
* PayPal: centrulmahakala@gmail.com
Your constant support helps us preserve and share the Dharma, keeping teachings, meditation sessions, and spiritual activities accessible to all.
 If you are currently unable to afford the contribution, please contact us directly at centrulmahakala@gmail.com — we will gladly find a way you can join the event.