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Upcoming Online Workshops
Full Awareness of Breathing: Meditation in Recovery
Part One
Finding Body and Breath
Saturday
January 21
10:30am EST
Led by Sheldon Clark, this two-hour workshop is the first of three on the meditation practice known as the Full Awareness of Breathing.
This practice, the Buddha's most direct teaching on meditation, is a set of breath-based contemplations which relate directly to deepening our sobriety.
Full Awareness of Breathing meditation moves through contemplations of the body, feelings, mind, and the objects of our mind. These contemplations help us to understand our patterns of suffering, to relate to them with non-attachment, and allow them to pass.
In this workshop, we'll cover important fundamentals in this style of meditation:
meditation posture and settling the body
the differences between receptive, purposeful, and contemplative meditation
mindfulness: directed and receptive attention
developing the breath
peripheral awareness
working with distraction in meditation
contemplations of breath and body
cultivating contentment
This workshop will include teachings, periods of guided and silent meditation, and discussion.
Registration Requested.
🙏🏼
Recommended Donation $10
See Below
Full Awareness of Breathing: Meditation in Recovery
Part Two
Deepening Understanding
Saturday
January 28
10:30am EST
In this second two-hour workshop, we'll expand our practice of the Full Awareness of Breathing.
Based in the Buddha's direct teaching on meditation, this workshop will help you deepen your practice of the fundamentals of Full Awareness of Breathing meditation. We'll then expand the practice through additional ideas and contemplations:
being open to joy
practicing with impermanence and interdependence
feelings vs. emotions
contemplations of feelings
the three poisons
beginning contemplations of the mind
This workshop will include teachings, periods of guided and silent meditation, and discussion.
Prerequisite:
Full Awareness of Breathing: Meditation in Recovery
Part One
Registration is Required.
🙏🏼
Recommended Donation
$10-15
See Below
Full Awareness of Breathing: Meditation in Recovery
Part Three
Realizing Equanimity
Saturday
February 11
10:30am EST
In this third 2.5 hour workshop, we'll practice the remaining contemplations in the Full Awareness of Breathing.
In this workshop, we'll revisit contemplations of Breath, Body and Feelings. We'll then expand our contemplations of the Mind and begin contemplations of the Objects of Mind.
deepening contemplations of the mind
no thought, no form, no self
thoughts on equanimity
contemplating the objects of mind
the fading of attachment
liberation from attachment
This workshop will include teachings, periods of guided and silent meditation, and discussion.
Prerequisite:
Full Awareness of Breathing: Meditation in Recovery
Parts One and Two
Registration is Required.
🙏🏼
Recommended Donation
$10-15
See Below
Full Awareness of Breathing: Meditation in Recovery
Part Four : Videos on Demand
1) Summary and Review
2) Guided Meditation: Body and Feelings
3) Guided Meditation: Body, Feelings and Mind
Available after February 11.
These workshops are offered at no cost, and....
Hello friends,
I've been offering dharma talks and meditations to the Buddhist recovery sangha for years now. I've practiced with some of you in all-day retreats. I've sat in meditation with others back in the days of Pittsboro Recovery Dharma. More recently, I've met you through programs offered by Buddhist Recovery Circle, such as the Summer Precept Series. Being in dialogue with you has been a powerful force in my own recovery, and the work we've done together inspires me to do more!
On December 11th, I'll enter into a year long period of discernment before ordaining as a Zen priest. As part of my journey, I'm going to set out on a few road trips to further my training and practice.
My plan is to visit four different Zen monasteries over the next year, from New York state to California, spending two weeks or more at each. Each location will bring rich practice opportunities, and will help me grow more deeply into my pastoral roles: working with people in recovery, and Buddhist chaplaincy in hospital and hospice settings.
As a retired school teacher, however, I can only only manage this financially with the help of friends and sangha. Each of the places I visit will require meaningful donations and, of course, there will be travel expenses.
If you would like to make a donation toward this adventure, please visit my journey's Go Fund Me page. The smallest financial contribution is welcome. So are friendly thoughts and good wishes!
Sheldon Clark
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