Intensive Practice Periods

FCM members are laypersons who live in the world. We have the usual responsibilities of work, family, and community involvements that limit our capacity to attend retreats away from home. Yet, many of our members seek opportunities to deepen their meditation practice and the quality of their lives. Intensive practice periods are special programs typically offered to FCM members two or three times each year, with a duration of two to six months. Intensive practice periods include increased daily meditation, study of texts, individualized teacher guidance by phone with Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner, and group support and discussion. Intensives can have certain themes, such as Deconstructing the Myth of Self or Developing Compassion in Daily Life, or be based on specific teachings of the Buddha, such as the Sutra on the Full Awareness of the Breath or The Way of the Bodhsattva. Monthly conference calls of all participants begin with talks by Fred and offer an opportunity to ask questions of him.

Intensives offer a wonderful opportunity to deepen one’s practice and broaden one’s knowledge in a wide variety of aspects of Buddhist practice.