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Transforming Problems – A Practical Exploration of Buddhist Thought, with Martin Kerrigan & Sara Szwer - 28th, 29th & 30th August 2026
Date: Friday 28th August to Sunday 30th August 2026
Time: Arrive Friday evening, closing Sunday after lunch
Format: Residential, Onsite at Lam Rim Wales
Overview
Through a combination of presentation, meditation and discussion, we will be exploring the Buddhist practices of Lojong (Thought Transformation).
These teachings can help us to transform our thoughts and feelings from being self-centred, deluded and destructive to becoming loving, compassionate and beneficial. As well as putting us in a better position to help others, this also addresses the root causes of our own problems and difficulties, helping us to become more peaceful, happy and positive about ourselves.
We will be looking at ‘The 8 Verses of Thought Transformation’ by Langri Tangpa, an eleventh century master, which contain the essence of the Lojong practices.
These practices particularly offer ways of bringing the kinds of problems and difficulties, which we all experience in daily life, into our practice and utilising them as opportunities to develop and transform our minds.
Key themes will include:-
Embracing difficult situations as opportunities to grow and apply our practice
Applying Buddhist psychology to become more positive and resilient when we encounter problems in the future
Developing a kind/loving heart
Applying wisdom so we think, feel and act more in align with the interdependent nature of all that exists
About the Teacher
Martin and Sara have been studying and practicing Tibetan Buddhism since 1994, initially under the guidance of Geshe Tashi Tsering. They also worked in India with Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche helping to organise a worldwide teaching tour.
Martin tutored the Foundation of Buddhist Thought correspondence course for Jamyang London for many years. He has been an FPMT registered teacher since 2012, initially for Foundation of Buddhist Thought, and also for Discovering Buddhism. He is also registered to teach the FPMT Basic Programme at ‘in-depth level’ since 2023.
Martin and Sara have taught at Jamyang Bath, Saraswati and Land of Joy, a range of courses and retreats including Discovering Buddhism, Vajrasattva, thought transformation and practical Buddhist psychology. They particularly enjoy helping to make Lam Rim (the graduated path to enlightenment) accessible and practical to everyday life.
Martin was also invited to give teachings in Turkey in 2019 on behalf of FPMT.
Martin and Sara currently live in rural Herefordshire, working to provide music therapy in local care homes, hospitals and community centres.
Contact: fbtmartin@tiscali.co.uk for any questions about course content
Friday 28 August
Arrive from 5pm
6.30pm -7.30pm – Supper
7.30pm – 8.30pm – Welcome/Intro
Saturday 29 August
8am – 8.30am – Meditation/Motivation
8.30am – 9.30am – Breakfast
9.30am – 10.45am – Session 1 (Presentation/Meditation/Discussion)
10.45am – 11.15am – Tea Break
11.15am – 12.30pm – Session 2 (Presentation/Meditation/Discussion)
12.30pm – 1.30pm – Lunch
1.30pm – 2.15pm – Karma Yoga
2.15pm – 3pm – Rest Break
3pm – 4.15pm – Session 3 (Presentation/Meditation/Discussion)
4.15pm – 4.45pm – Tea Break
4.45pm – 6pm – Session 4 (Presentation/Meditation/Discussion)
6pm -7pm – Supper
7pm – 7.45pm – Q & A/Meditation/Dedications
Sunday 30 August
8am – 8.30am – Meditation/Motivation
8.30am – 9.30am – Breakfast
9.30am – 10.45am - Session 5 (Presentation/Meditation/Discussion)
10.45am – 11.15am – Tea Break
11.15am – 12.30pm – Session 6 (Presentation/Meditation/Discussion)
12.30pm – 1.30pm – Lunch
1.30pm – 2.15pm – Karma Yoga
2.15pm – 3.15pm – Q & A/Meditation/Dedications
3.15pm - Finish
Who Should Join?
Anyone interested in meditation, religious life, and inner development, Buddhist practitioners of all levels.
Lunch & Refreshments
We are pleased to provide complimentary refreshments throughout the day and a two course vegetarian lunch included in your booking. Please advise of any dietary requirements on the booking form.
Tickets & Donation
Everyone is welcome to attend Buddhist teachings freely with no donation. However, the Centre does rely on donations to stay open, which are gratefully received. We offer two main rates to enable as many people as possible to attend our teachings. Please consider paying at the highest rate that you are able. Your generosity is vital in supporting the Centre.
Standard Rate - This includes a donation to help sustain Lam Rim Buddhist Centre, and to cover costs and teacher expenses. Includes accommodation & food.
Basic Rate - This covers the very basic costs of running this course. Includes accommodation & food.
Support Rate - Contact us via lamrimwalesmanagers@gmail.com if the above rates are too high for you where we can discuss further subsidised options.
Date: Friday 28th August to Sunday 30th August 2026
Time: Arrive Friday evening, closing Sunday after lunch
Format: Residential, Onsite at Lam Rim Wales
Overview
Through a combination of presentation, meditation and discussion, we will be exploring the Buddhist practices of Lojong (Thought Transformation).
These teachings can help us to transform our thoughts and feelings from being self-centred, deluded and destructive to becoming loving, compassionate and beneficial. As well as putting us in a better position to help others, this also addresses the root causes of our own problems and difficulties, helping us to become more peaceful, happy and positive about ourselves.
We will be looking at ‘The 8 Verses of Thought Transformation’ by Langri Tangpa, an eleventh century master, which contain the essence of the Lojong practices.
These practices particularly offer ways of bringing the kinds of problems and difficulties, which we all experience in daily life, into our practice and utilising them as opportunities to develop and transform our minds.
Key themes will include:-
Embracing difficult situations as opportunities to grow and apply our practice
Applying Buddhist psychology to become more positive and resilient when we encounter problems in the future
Developing a kind/loving heart
Applying wisdom so we think, feel and act more in align with the interdependent nature of all that exists
About the Teacher
Martin and Sara have been studying and practicing Tibetan Buddhism since 1994, initially under the guidance of Geshe Tashi Tsering. They also worked in India with Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche helping to organise a worldwide teaching tour.
Martin tutored the Foundation of Buddhist Thought correspondence course for Jamyang London for many years. He has been an FPMT registered teacher since 2012, initially for Foundation of Buddhist Thought, and also for Discovering Buddhism. He is also registered to teach the FPMT Basic Programme at ‘in-depth level’ since 2023.
Martin and Sara have taught at Jamyang Bath, Saraswati and Land of Joy, a range of courses and retreats including Discovering Buddhism, Vajrasattva, thought transformation and practical Buddhist psychology. They particularly enjoy helping to make Lam Rim (the graduated path to enlightenment) accessible and practical to everyday life.
Martin was also invited to give teachings in Turkey in 2019 on behalf of FPMT.
Martin and Sara currently live in rural Herefordshire, working to provide music therapy in local care homes, hospitals and community centres.
Contact: fbtmartin@tiscali.co.uk for any questions about course content
Friday 28 August
Arrive from 5pm
6.30pm -7.30pm – Supper
7.30pm – 8.30pm – Welcome/Intro
Saturday 29 August
8am – 8.30am – Meditation/Motivation
8.30am – 9.30am – Breakfast
9.30am – 10.45am – Session 1 (Presentation/Meditation/Discussion)
10.45am – 11.15am – Tea Break
11.15am – 12.30pm – Session 2 (Presentation/Meditation/Discussion)
12.30pm – 1.30pm – Lunch
1.30pm – 2.15pm – Karma Yoga
2.15pm – 3pm – Rest Break
3pm – 4.15pm – Session 3 (Presentation/Meditation/Discussion)
4.15pm – 4.45pm – Tea Break
4.45pm – 6pm – Session 4 (Presentation/Meditation/Discussion)
6pm -7pm – Supper
7pm – 7.45pm – Q & A/Meditation/Dedications
Sunday 30 August
8am – 8.30am – Meditation/Motivation
8.30am – 9.30am – Breakfast
9.30am – 10.45am - Session 5 (Presentation/Meditation/Discussion)
10.45am – 11.15am – Tea Break
11.15am – 12.30pm – Session 6 (Presentation/Meditation/Discussion)
12.30pm – 1.30pm – Lunch
1.30pm – 2.15pm – Karma Yoga
2.15pm – 3.15pm – Q & A/Meditation/Dedications
3.15pm - Finish
Who Should Join?
Anyone interested in meditation, religious life, and inner development, Buddhist practitioners of all levels.
Lunch & Refreshments
We are pleased to provide complimentary refreshments throughout the day and a two course vegetarian lunch included in your booking. Please advise of any dietary requirements on the booking form.
Tickets & Donation
Everyone is welcome to attend Buddhist teachings freely with no donation. However, the Centre does rely on donations to stay open, which are gratefully received. We offer two main rates to enable as many people as possible to attend our teachings. Please consider paying at the highest rate that you are able. Your generosity is vital in supporting the Centre.
Standard Rate - This includes a donation to help sustain Lam Rim Buddhist Centre, and to cover costs and teacher expenses. Includes accommodation & food.
Basic Rate - This covers the very basic costs of running this course. Includes accommodation & food.
Support Rate - Contact us via lamrimwalesmanagers@gmail.com if the above rates are too high for you where we can discuss further subsidised options.