Will Duncan | College of Liberal Arts | Oregon State University

OSU's Contemplative Studies Initiative in partnership with the Hundere Endowed Chair in Religion and Culture present the Contemplative Practices for the Greater Good Series. This talk is generously co-sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis.

Humility & Avidya: A Yogic Look at the Heart and Depth of the Christian Path

A Talk with Will Duncan - Philosopher, Retreatant, and Farmer

Held via Zoom on Wednesday February 24th 6:30-8pm PST

Free and Open to All; registration is closed. View the recording below!

Donations to CSI are greatly appreciated and support operating costs and the invitation of future guest speakers!

In this talk Will Duncan uses the wisdom of the Indian traditions to shine light on the Christian understanding of humility. Bringing such disparate luminaries as St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and Patanjali to the table, we examine the concept of avidya in the Indian traditions and look at some surprising ways that it may help us understand humility. Keeping it relevant, Duncan will offer some real world take-aways for how to begin to leverage some of these ancient insights in our own lives.

Requests for accommodation can be made by emailing [email protected] or calling 541-737-4785.

Will Duncan has taught throughout the world including Asia, Europe, South America and throughout the United States. He is a lecturer, meditation teacher, yoga instructor, retreat leader, and lavender farmer. At the age of 14 he met his Christian heart teacher, Murray Rogers, and began a 23 year apprenticeship with him studying the world’s scriptural traditions as well as a systematic approach to meditation. In 2010 Will completed 7 years of training in the open and higher teachings of the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Upon completion he entered a traditional 3-year meditation retreat where he engaged in silent and solitary deep practice from 2010-2014. Upon completion of retreat Will was asked to begin teaching by his lamas.

Following in all of his teacher’s footsteps, Will’s passion is in bringing to life the relevance and living profundity of the scriptural traditions. Deeply devoted to the Mahayana and Bodhisattva ideals of the cultivation of limitless compassion, Will draws on various traditions to shed light on the potential and urgency of waking up into our day-to-day lives. Known for his down-to-earth humor and ease, Will teaches by way of inquiry and lively discussion pushing students to think clearly for themselves and to uncover their own insights.