Daylongs and Evening Programs and Workshops
Event
Each moment of life — both the ordinary and the extraordinary — is imbued with "alive" presence. Being awake to this alive presence gives us an immediate sense of life’s meaning. This feeling is what poets try to capture in verse. Using poetry as our inspiration and our guide, we will explore how mindfulness and gratitude can help us experience a more continuous sense of alive presence.
This daylong will consist of sitting and walking meditation practice interspersed with dharma discussions based on a selection of poems. All are welcome. The program is suitable for both beginning and experienced meditation students.
This event has been cancelled by Spirit Rock due to Covid-19.
Dharma practice inspired by poetry brings us deeper into insight. It can release us from the suffering of difficult times and soothe the heart. This day of meditation practice and poetry reading is about using mindfulness to find our ground and bring clarity to life issues.
This 20th annual Poetry Day will consist of sitting and walking meditation practice interspersed with dharma discussions based on the collection of poems Phillip has selected for this day. In this participatory program, you will have the opportunity, if you choose, to read aloud one of the selected poems to those in attendance.
Time TBA
On the evening of April 21, Phillip Moffitt will lead the Spirit Rock Monday Night class that Jack Kornfield began 28 years ago. Monday Night Class serves as an introduction to the practices of awareness and compassion that are the heart of our community. This gathering also offers support and ongoing teachings to committed students. Class is from 7:15 - 9:15 pm. Dinner, when offered, begins at 6 pm.
This daylong is appropriate for students new to meditation as well as practitioners with some experience who would like a refresher course in basic instruction. In this traditional Insight Meditation (vipassana) daylong, the emphasis is on deepening into the silence that allows for the awakening of the heart.
The day will include instructions for sitting and walking meditation, an overview of Insight Meditation, the fundamentals of the Buddha's teachings, and time for questions and discussion.
Dana: This is a Dana (donation) day. Phillip is offering the day as a gift to the Spirit Rock community. Spirit Rock’s regular daylong fee of $55 - $155 is waived for this event. The practice of generosity, or Dana, in all forms is considered a central pillar of Buddhadharma practice. Spirit Rock invites you to contribute what is appropriate for you.
The Liberated Heart and the Role of Love in Practice
It is the heart that gets liberated once the mind has gained clarity. But what are the qualities of a liberated heart?
We can look to the Brahma Viharas as a guide to the attributes of a liberated heart. Each of the Brahma Viharas in its own unique way is associated with the heart. When we understand the subtle distinctions between loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity, our practice of each one is enriched. And, we see how each one supports the practice of insight.
When our mindfulness practice becomes dry and brittle, it’s often because our practice is lacking the vitality that comes from an engaged heart. It is love that engages the heart. During this daylong, we will explore how love manifests in our practice. We will also contemplate the meaning of the statement "In order for practice to succeed, you must come to love the Buddha, or the dharma, or the sangha."
The day will include periods of sitting and walking meditation, guided mindful movement, and time for questions and discussion.
Location: St Luke Presbyterian Church 10 Bayview Drive, San Rafael
Cost: $40, plus dana for teacher Please bring: meditation cushion(s) and your lunch. Chairs will be available
This daylong is only open to Marin Sangha members. To be a member, you must have attended the Marin Sangha previously at least once - no exceptions.
If you have questions or need a work exchange/scholarship in order to attend, please email Art at artjolly at gmail dot com.
Sign up to register here.
In the Buddha’s teaching of the Satipatthana Sutta, his key teaching on mindfulness, the Seven Factors of Awakening are exceeded in importance only by the pinnacle teaching of the Four Noble Truths. Developing a thorough understanding of the Seven Factors of Awakening and learning how to apply them in our practice prepares us to be able to realize the insights of the Four Noble Truths.
In this daylong, we will explore the essential understandings of these factors and how to cultivate them, how they balance each other, and how to work with them simultaneously. The day will include dharma talks, sitting and walking meditation, and time for questions and discussion.
Whether you are a professional care provider such as a healthcare practitioner, therapist, or body worker, or a family member or friend caring for children or someone who is ill, you need time for rejuvenation. On this 12th annual Care Providers Day, we will engage in meditation and reflection practices for the purpose of achieving balance and clarity and to ground ourselves in the healing spirit.
The day will include meditation instruction, self-care techniques, inspirational stories, gentle stretching, and time for sharing. The teachings are appropriate for therapists and other healthcare professionals and are applicable in therapeutic settings as well as for personal care. We all need compassion and time for renewal, so this will be a day for taking care of you.
Exploring the Dharma through Poetry
Each moment of life — both the ordinary and the extraordinary — is imbued with presence. Being awake to this presence gives us an immediate sense of life’s meaning. This feeling is what poets try to capture in verse. Using poetry as our inspiration and our guide, we will explore how it can deepen our understanding of the dharma and help us meet each moment of life with awareness, intention, and surrender. This daylong will consist of sitting and walking meditation practice interspersed with dharma discussions based on a selection of poems. This daylong is suitable for both beginning and experienced meditation students. All are welcome.
The one constant in our lives is change. How well you navigate change has a direct impact on the degree of well-being, purpose, and satisfaction you experience on a day-to-day basis. If you are considering a big change, or are in one now, or are still feeling the effects of a past change, this workshop will give you the personal understanding and tools to set a well-considered course for the next phase of your life.
Over the past 25 years, leaders, organizations, and groups have come to Phillip Moffitt for his wisdom, experience, and insight. During this weekend workshop, he will share his knowledge, time-tested mindfulness practices, and principles about the nature of change in human lives. He will focus on the specific challenges and opportunities that arise in your 50s and 60s.
Change naturally brings up concerns, fears, and questions that can lead to confusion, lack of motivation, or poor decisions. In this workshop, you will learn skills and strategies to effectively respond to the challenges of change such as:
* Discover which areas of your life need attention, gain insights about your strengths and challenges in dealing with change, and begin to strategize about next steps.
* Recognize habits of mind that undermine you and learn practices to disengage from their influence.
* Identify your values and intentions so you have a basis for making wise decisions.
* Receive individualized guidance from Phillip.
Changes & Transitions In Your 50s & 60s will specifically focus on looking within versus dwelling on external circumstances. Expect a weekend full of dynamic inquiry and the opportunity to learn essential life skills for meeting your changes and transitions with authenticity, confidence, and clarity.
Workshop Hours
Friday, October 27, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 28, 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 29, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Cost
$395 Tuition
Meals and accommodations not included.
Cancellation Policy: We will issue a full refund, less a $25 processing fee, for cancellations received by September 28, 2017. After that point, we will issue a refund less a 50% cancellation fee.
If tickets are sold out and you would like to add your name to the waitlist, please email Jennifer Ward, jennifer@lifebalance.org.
