class practice page

Overview

Thank you for making this commitment to join us and others in the community in exploring Buddhist wisdom on death and dying. We look forward to your participation online for the Thursday evening sessions. Friday evening and Saturday, you can either join us on line or in person at the Florida Community of Mindfulness Center.

This Five session series will be conducted as follows:
1. Thursday, Sept 8, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm (online only)
2. Thursday, Sept 15, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm (online only)
3. Thursday, Sept 22, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm (online only)
4. Friday, Sept 23, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm (online or in-person)
5. Saturday, Sept 24, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm (online or in-person)

Class Recordings & Assignments

There are several ways to approach reading The Five Invitations, but we suggest following this methodology. Try to read the entire book. Then, before each session, review the chapter that will be discussed. We are suggesting this as the last 3 sessions are in a compressed time frame, Thursday - Saturday.

Session 1 - Thursday

• Recordings (Sept 8)
• Week 1 Assignment (complete before Session 1)

Overview of Session 1: When thinking of death many of us feel sadness or anxiety or a deep sense of insecurity. “Don’t Wait”, we take hold of developing our groundedness with Death. We learn to notice the risings and changes of each moment is life itself. Practicing Calm Abiding, Shamatha we learn to sit with the continual flow, rising and falling of life and death. As Thich Nhat Hanh invites us to see birth and death in all moments. In striving to control and escape we miss the gifts of meaningful life and in all its messiness and uncertainty there is also intimacy and awe of each moment. 

Session 2 - Thursday

• Recording (Sept 15)
• Week 2 Assignment (complete before Session 2)
• Video - What is that? (5:30 min)
• Poem - Be not Defeated by the Rain

Overview of Session 2: This week, practice noticing when resistance arises during the day. Notice moments of discomfort and try welcoming them, recognizing this will make discomfort more tolerable.

Look into Advance Care Planning: Advance Directives or Living Wills, and especially choosing a Healthcare Surrogate. Speak with family and friends about this. If you’re not ready to complete the actual document, peruse the options and plan a time to discuss with family and friends. This is a gift to yourself and your loved ones. It may not be the easiest topic of conversation for some, so it’s a perfect opportunity to sit in discomfort. Welcome it, knowing it will get easier!

Please read the chapters on the Third Invitation and if possible, read further because our last three sessions are on consecutive days.

Welcome everything. Rest in Love.

Session 3 - 5 - Thursday through Saturday

• Recording (Sept 22)
• Recording (Sept 23)
• Recording (Sept 24) Part 1 & Part 2
• Week 3 (which includes sessions 3-5) Assignments (complete before Session 3)
• Video -  This Moment (6:01)

Upon reflection on the deep question of how I envision my own death, how do I plan to specifically communicate my thoughts and wishes to my loved ones?

Reference Materials

Required text
The Five Invitations Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully by Frank Ostaseski

Supplemental Resources to deepen your reflections:

Books
No Death, No Fear by Thich Nhat Hanh
Being with Dying: Cultivating Compassion and Fearlessness in the Presence of Death by Joan Halifax

Podcast
The Way Out Is In. The Power of Presence. Episode 33   lessons from Thich Nhat Hanh's death 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-way-out-is-in/id1579910767