How Can I Be Okay In This Moment?
March 21 @ 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Every day presents us with new challenges and joys. Buddhism provides us with many helpful tools to meet our lives with greater mindfulness, calm, embodiment, open-heartedness, refuge and wise action. Come join us for a quiet day of exploration and practice at beautiful River Fork Ranch – a great chance to settle and refresh! Brief teachings on sitting and walking meditation, plus optional movement and artistic activities will be offered, allowing opportunities to practice in silence together and on your own.
This day is perfect for those new to Buddhist meditation as well as more experienced meditators wanting to share a day of practice.
We will spend the day in noble silence. To honor the sacred container we create together, we ask that all participants attend both the brief opening orientation and the closing session. (Sharing at the closing is optional.)
Throughout the day, you are welcome to engage in silent practice on your own — sitting or walking meditation, journaling, sketching, or simply being — or join in these optional offerings, shared in love:
– Meditation instruction with Tom Gray
– Qigong movement with Deborah Stevenson
– A Dharma talk and Q&A with Tom
– Mindful drawing with Deborah
The retreat will take place in an ADA-compliant indoor space, with opportunities to practice outdoors on the preserve. Hard plastic chairs are provided.
Please bring chair cushions or a floor seating option as desired, layered clothing appropriate for indoors and outdoors, and a sack lunch.
This retreat is beginner-friendly, and meditation guidance will be available.
Free of charge – donations are gratefully accepted.
Registration is not required.
To be informed of any potential updates, RSVP to Anita here.
Teachers:
Tom Gray has practiced Theravada Buddhist meditation since 2003, and has co-taught three 6-week meditation courses for Dharma Zephyr. He is grateful for many teachers along the way, including Kathy Schwerin, Shaila Catherine, Amita Schmidt, Leigh Brasington and Santikaro. Tom is currently a student of Heather Sundberg, and is inspired by her pure-awareness Mahasati teachings from the Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Jumnien.
For Deborah Stevenson, art and nature, spirituality and healing go hand in hand. Deborah has been meditating since 1972 and has been painting and teaching in a variety of disciplines for over 50 years. Deborah has been practicing energy healing through Reiki and qigong since 2000 and teaching since 2003. She currently teaches Sheng Zhen Qigong in the tradition of her teacher, Master Li Jun Feng. Sheng Zhen means unconditional love.