In the many months since the pandemic began, the always difficult task of care providing has become even more challenging. The stress, energy demands, tension, and excess workload that go along with care providing in “normal” times have all been compounded by the health crisis. Therefore, you are warmly invited to take a day for yourself for renewal and revitalization.

In this day, we focus on refreshing perspective and vitality through mindfulness practices and self-care techniques. We also explore some of the skillful means the Buddha taught that can mitigate the stress of care providing.

You will learn the importance of placing attention, the art of letting go of expectations, how to determine what your true responsibilities are, and how to recognize and respond to the confusion that arises around care providing. The program includes guided meditations, Dharma talks, self-care techniques, and gentle stretching

Teachers: Phillip Moffitt and Dana DePalma

The Four Noble Truths are the Buddha’s first teaching, which is said to contain the sum of all of his teachings. Based on one of the oldest Theravada texts, there is a rarely taught practice of utilizing the Four Noble Truths to attain Twelve Insights that bring freedom and well-being. These insights prescribe a radically different way for us, with all of our vulnerability and fear, to engage with life just as it is and find joy even in the midst of suffering.

In this four-day, silent retreat, we will explore each of the Four Noble Truths in depth and learn how we can apply the insights of this teaching to our daily lives. The goal of this retreat is to discover how the Four Noble Truths become the Four “Ennobling” Truths.

Each day will have periods of sitting and walking meditation along with Dharma talks, discussion, and Q&A.

Teachers: Phillip Moffitt, Tuere Sala and Dana DePalma

Prerequisite: Completion of one (or more) 6-night (or longer) silent, residential insight meditation retreat.

Description:
The Nine Bodies Insight meditations and teachings presented in this online retreat offer a new method of practicing Insight meditation. We start with establishing mindfulness through the practice of arriving and then turn towards the consciousness of the physical body. Through a series of guided meditations, we will explore ever more subtle levels of consciousness. This map offers a means for tracking and classifying meditative experiences which can help you stay present with whatever arises. Moreover, this method of practice may increase the stability and clarity of your mindfulness and enable the arising of insight.

This method integrates the Nine Bodies teachings on the nature of consciousness from Himalayan yoga master Premvarni Balyogi with Insight meditation dharma teachings.

This retreat includes 3-4 detailed guided meditations per day, dharma talks, walking meditations, and small group meetings. Due to the progressive nature of these teachings, please plan to attend all teaching sessions.