FCM Winter Retreat at the Franciscan Center 

Letting Go of Egocentricity: The Path of Compassion and Love

January 26-30, 2017

In Buddhism, wisdom and compassion are seen as the two wings of the teachings: complementary and equally essential to our transformation. Our Fall Retreat focused on developing the mind of wisdom and now, in our Winter Retreat, we will turn our attention to nurturing the mind of compassion and love.

The path of the heart is capable of developing within us a strong sense of inter-connection with all life and overcoming the limits that self-centric living imposes. The path of the heart softens and strengthens at the same time, and shows us how to live less egotistically and more harmoniously with others. Developing a heart-mind that views all beings as our dearest friends and naturally seeks their well-being and happiness simultaneously creates the basis for happiness and well-being for ourselves. It is an incredibly powerful energy to guide and motivate our lives.

During this retreat we will focus on the specific teachings and practices in our Dharma tradition that help us cultivate this peerless mind of compassion and love. Fred will be presenting these teachings and practices with clarity and concreteness so that they can become on-going life practices each participant can embrace. As usual, this will be a silent retreat. The silence affords participants the opportunity to deepen their meditative experience while absorbing the experiential meaning of the teachings and practices presented during the retreat. 

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 has been 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, January 26th, and ends after lunch on Monday, January 30th. We ask that all retreatants attend the entire time of the retreat; if you cannot arrive by 6 pm on Thursday, January 26th and stay until lunch on Monday, January 30th, please do not register. No late arrivals or early departures are permitted, as they significantly interfere with the process of retreat for everyone.

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 $430 and the fee for double-occupancy is $380. A limited number of Retreat Scholarships may be available. Please click here to see FCM’s Retreat Scholarship Policy and for an Application, which must be submitted prior to the registration deadline for this retreat.

Please note that participation in this retreat is only open to 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 and other retreat information.

The last day to register for the retreat is December 18, but registration is limited. You will be notified if you have been accepted into the retreat or whether you have been placed on the waiting list by December 30.