“Whatever has to happen, let it happen!"

“Whatever the situation is, it’s fine!"

“I don’t need anything whatsoever!”

The next residential retreat of our Florida Community of Mindfulness (FCM) will be held April 16th through April 19th. The three day retreat is entitled “Dharma Medicine for All Situations: The Three Fierce Mantras.”

Our resistance to the unfolding of life, especially those situations unwanted or unexpected, is a primary cause of our emotional ups and downs.  Our difficulty in accepting the experiences of life and the people in it for what they are and imposing our own needs and wants fuels an unending circus of negative emotions and conflictual mind states. Our desire to live peacefully in the present moment and practice mindful living becomes continually up-ended by our habitual dysfunctional responses.

In this three-day retreat, we will study and practice these three ancient pith teachings. Dharma talks, guided meditations, experiential exercises and group dialogues will clarify for participants what nurtures and supports their self-created unhappiness. With the guidance of the Three Fierce Mantras, participants will learn how to live a more emotionally sane life, with equanimity, ease, and wellbeing becoming more consistent mind states. Understanding the deeper reality these mantras point to, we can transform our view from one of resistance, emotional turmoil and unease to one that allows a deep appreciation of life’s unfolding wonders.

This retreat will be led by senior members of the Florida Community of Mindfulness. Daily, Fred will attend the retreat to give the Dharma Talk and to facilitate a question-and-answer session for participants related to the teachings and meditative practices being offered. As usual, this will be a silent retreat. The silence affords us the opportunity to deepen our meditative experience while absorbing the experiential meaning of the teachings and practices presented.

The retreat is being held in Tampa, Florida at The Franciscan Center, located on the Hillsborough River. The registration fee covers both room and board (three vegetarian meals daily), as well as any administrative and incidental expenses connected to the retreat. The teachings are offered in the Buddhist tradition of Dana, wherein the teacher freely gives of him or herself to the students out of gratitude for what they’ve received from their teachers and a desire to be of service. The student’s response is also based on Dana, i.e. generosity that naturally flows from a sense of appreciation of the value of Dharma and gratitude to the living lineage.

The retreat begins with dinner on Thursday, April 16th, and ends after lunch on Sunday, April 19th. The Franciscan Center has both single and double occupancy accommodations. If you are seeking double occupancy and have someone you wish to room with, please indicate their name when you register. Otherwise, you will be placed in a room with another participant who has requested double occupancy as well. The registration fee for single occupancy is $335 and the fee for double-occupancy is $285.

Please note that participation in this retreat is open to both members and non-members of the Florida Community of Mindfulness. While participation in our local sanghas and Days of Mindfulness is open to everyone, membership in FCM is for persons wanting to deepen their practice of living an awakened life by being part of a dedicated practice community, having a direct relationship with a Dharma teacher, and participating in practice opportunities such as Intensives and longer retreats. 

The retreat registrar will be sending additional information to accepted registrants before the retreat begins, including directions to the Franciscan Center.

The last day to register for the retreat is March 29th, but registration is limited and you will be notified if you have been accepted into the retreat or whether you have been placed on the waiting list by March 31st.

If you are receiving a message that the registration limit has been reached and the retreat is full, please use this link to sign up for the Retreat Waiting list.