Foundations of the Dharma

A thorough introduction to the fundamentals of the Buddhist path

 
 

Course Overview:

  • Focus: A structured training in the foundations of the Buddhist path
  • Format: 8 self-paced, on-demand sessions
  • Sessions include: Guided meditation, Dharma talk on key theme, plus selected Q&A
  • Total content: 9 hours
  • Audience: New and experienced practitioners
  • Access: Lifetime access
  • Cost: $75 * (Reduced rates available.)

Liberation on the Buddhist path is ethical, relational, and embodied. Rooted in early Buddhist teachings and Western Insight Meditation, this eight-week series offers a grounded introduction to the foundations of the Dharma. It explores core elements of the path as living principles that shape how we meet life: how suffering arises, how freedom becomes possible, and what it means to walk the path with awareness, integrity, and compassion.

Designed for both new and experienced practitioners, the course offers a clear, non-dogmatic, and practical orientation to Buddhism. It provides a strong foundation for ongoing practice and a clear map for walking the path with honesty, care, and courage.

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Course Curriculum

Session 1. Another Way to Live: An Overview of the Buddhist Path

An overview of the series and its guiding questions, the aim of the path, and different models for understanding the process of awakening.

Session 2. Refuge: The Beginning and End of the Path

Why safety and support are essential for practice, the meaning of refuge, and how the Triple Gem (including community) supports inner stability and trust.

Session 3. Right View: A Map in the Wild

How our assumptions shape experience, practice as a way of seeing rather than a technique, and how understanding conditionality and relationship orients the path.

Session 4. Right View: The Doctor’s Prescription

The Four Noble Truths and Three Characteristics as a diagnosis of suffering and a practical framework to understand its causes and end.

Session 5. Intention: How Matters More Than What

The role of intention on the path, how motivation shapes outcomes, and the difference between striving for self-improvement and aligning with freedom.

Session 6. Mindfulness: The Engine of Transformation

What mindfulness really means, why it is central to freedom, and how embodied awareness supports insight and change.

Session 7. Collectedness: The Heart's Stability in a World of Distraction

How mindfulness deepens into collectedness, why a stable and settled mind is essential to insight, and how to recognize and work skillfully with the five hindrances.

Session 8. Unfolding the Heart: The Long Road of Transformation

Why the path is not linear, how to work with difficulty, and what supports patience, trust, and ongoing commitment to transformation.
 

What You Receive

A stable foundation to deepen your practice

Foundations of the Dharma brings a fresh and grounded look at the fundamentals—from Refuge and Right View to Skillful Intention and Right Mindfulness—giving you both clear teachings and the lived texture of practice. Here’s what’s included:

  • Progressive Curriculum: Eight sessions that build the foundations of the path step by step.

  • Guided Meditations: 20-minute practices to support consistency and depth.

  • Dharma Teachings: Talks exploring the core principles of Buddhist practice.

  • Practical Guidance: Selected Q&A from the live series, addressing real questions from practitioners.

  • Self-Paced Learning: A clear, coherent training you can move through at your own rhythm.

  • Lifetime Access: Ongoing access to all course materials.

Originally offered live through Clear Dharma Sangha, this course has been carefully edited into a cohesive, self-paced training. Cover Image by Tom Fix via Pexels.
 

Is this course right for me?

This course is for you if:

  • You're newer to the Dharma and want a clear, non-dogmatic entry point.

  • You have meditation experience and are seeking more structure or direction.

  • You want to understand the core teachings of the Buddhist path in an integrated, practical way.

  • You want to bring more mindfulness, integrity, and wisdom into your daily life.

  • You value an embodied, relational approach to spiritual practice.

  • You’re interested in how practice connects to the broader conditions of our lives and our world.

Participants come from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. All share a sincere interest in understanding the path and bringing mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion into their lives.

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Meet Oren

Oren Jay Sofer has practiced Buddhist meditation and Nonviolent Communication for over two decades and teaches internationally. He holds a degree in comparative religion from Columbia University and is a Certified Trainer of Nonviolent Communication and a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, a body-based approach to trauma healing.

Oren is the author of several books, including the best-seller Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication and Your Heart Was Made for This: Contemplative Practices to Meet a World in Crisis with Courage, Integrity and Love. His teaching has reached people around the world through his online courses and guided meditations. Born and raised in New Jersey, Oren lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he loves learning about life from being a husband and a father.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions? Please read our FAQs. If you have a question not listed here feel free to email us.

What is the course format?

The course is self-paced and on-demand. Each of the eight sessions includes both video and audio for a brief introduction, a guided meditation, a Dharma talk, and selected Q&A.

How long is each session?

Each session is approximately 75 minutes in total.

How long will I have access to the course?

You will have lifetime access to all course materials.

Do I need prior meditation experience?

No prior experience is required. The course is designed to be accessible to newer practitioners while still offering depth for those with more experience.

Can I access this course from anywhere?

Yes. You can access the course from anywhere with a reliable internet connection sufficient for streaming video.

How long will it take to move through the course?

You can move through the sessions at your own pace. Some people complete one session per week, while others move more quickly or revisit material over time.

How can I request a reduced rate?

To request a reduced rate, please email us and let us know what you can afford to offer for the course.

What if I still have questions?

You’re welcome to email us if you have any questions before or after enrolling.
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