Time: Sat, June 12 from 10am – 4:30pm
Location: Zoom / virtual (link provided upon sign-up)
Register: Please sign-up via the Eventbrite link.
SHORT SUMMARY
The primary purpose of this daylong is to step into an embodied, experiential sense of kindness & care — not at some point in the future, but RIGHT NOW.
We’ll draw upon the classic Theravāda Buddhist teachings on mettā (loving-kindness), and will explore how there is no one right way to step into love. You will get to try a few different practices and entry points into mettā.
WHAT WE’LL COVER
- A Buddhist vision of love, including what exactly it is (and isn’t!), why it’s important, the four pillars of true love, and how it applies equally to ourselves, romantic partners, friends, grocery clerks, and even our least favorite politicians!
- How to balance love with wisdom, particularly ways to release ill-will and develop care when we’re having a tough time with someone (especially ourselves!), as well as the greater role that wisdom & meditation plays in developing love.
- Several classic techniques and practices used to develop love. We’ll utilize the traditional loving-kindness phrases, but also take on a spirit of play, experimenting with visualization, somatic methods, forgiveness practice, and the role of “wise reflection.”
All experience levels are welcome!
LOGISTICS:
There will be a lunch break from 1:00pm – 1:45pm Pacific Time. You are welcome to come to only the morning session and sign off at lunch; however, please try to arrive before 10:00am, in order to start the day as a group. No new arrivals after the break.
Both the morning and afternoon will have 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 discussion.
COST:
The Buddhist tradition has run entirely on the “gift economy” for 2,600 years. In turn, these teaching are offered entirely on a donation basis, without expectation of anything in 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!