Liberating Change – A Daylong Insight Meditation Retreat

Time:  Sat, Sep 19 from 10am – 4:30pm
Location:  Zoom / virtual (link provided upon sign-up)
RSVP:  Register via the Eventbrite link

DESCRIPTION

The aim for this retreat is to help you step a little more into the felt, intuitive understanding of “anicca,” often translated as change, impermanence or inconstancy. “Anicca” is sometimes considered the deepest insight in Buddhism meditation, and, in turn, the core purpose of our exploration is to taste its liberating potential — right here, right now.

Through a series of guided meditations, lecture and discussion, some of the objectives for the day include:

  • Breaking down the experience of impermanence with a precise meditative lens
  • Seeing the intimate connection between impermanence (“anicca”), the illusory nature of self (“anatta”), and the suffering of grasping (“dukkha”)
  • Allowing our meditations on “anicca” to open the heart & embrace our humanity, and see that not as an impediment to awakening, but part of it
  • Letting go — right here, right now

While all experience levels are welcome, people with prior knowledge/practice of meditation or related practices will likely get the most out of the retreat.

REGISTRATION FOR THE TWO SESSIONS:

While attendance for the whole retreat is highly recommended, the day will roughly be split into two parts: the morning session from 10:00am – 1:00pm PST, and the afternoon session from 1:45pm – 4:30pm PST.

Feel free to only come to one of the sessions.

It is the same link for both sessions, so you only need to signup once, regardless of whether you come to only one or both.  You will receive the Zoom link after registering.

LOGISTICS

The room will be “locked” a few minutes after the start of each session, so please arrive on time, and for the community container, please do not leave before the respective session finishes.

Each session will involve two 40 minute periods of sitting meditation, a little stretching and some lecture. In the morning, there will also be a period of walking meditation (or more sitting), and in the afternoon, there will be more time for Q&A and/or discussion.

COST

The Buddhist tradition has run entirely on the “gift economy” for 2600 years. In turn, these teaching are offered entirely on a donation basis, as a gift from my heart, without expectation of return. However, I encourage you to think of that not as “free,” but as an opportunity to keep turning the cycle of “giving,” whatever that looks like!

If you’re curious more about how to relate to donation-based events, and “what’s the right amount to give,” I’d recommend reading this article.