Dharma Path Fall 2016 Intensive
Mindfulness as a Path of Awakening
October 3 –December 26, 2016
Then the Buddha addressed the monks as follows: “Monks, this is the direct path for the purification of the minds of beings, for the overcoming of sorrow and lamentation, for the cessation of suffering and discontent, for attaining the Noble Path, for the realization of Nibbana, namely, the Four Establishments of Mindfulness.”
The Fall Dharma Path Intensive will return us to a foundational text of the Thich Nhat Hanh tradition, the Satipathanna or Foundation of Mindfulness Sutra. One of the earliest meditation teachings of the Buddha, it stresses that mindfulness in all spheres of human experience of body and mind (body, feelings, mind states and mental objects) is the path to purification and cessation of suffering. Besides being a meditation manual in the practice of mindfulness, the Sutra also teaches us how to identify the hindrances that cloud the mind and lead to personal suffering and misperception, but more importantly, the mental factors to cultivate that will sustain an awakened life.
Supportive activities for this Intensive will include three Dharma Talks by a senior student, Diane Powell; participation in four small group phone consultations with Fred; assigned readings; and bi-weekly small group meetings in-person or by phone to provide an opportunity for participants to share and provide mutual support to each other. In addition, Fred will offer two Forums in Tampa to answer questions and interact with participants. These Forums will be live-streamed so those in other locations can participate.
The commitments for this Intensive are listed below. Before registering for the Intensive please read the commitments and reflect carefully on whether you will be able to keep them.
Commitments for each Intensive participant:
1. The commitment to a minimum of one hour of daily formal meditative practice and/or other practices related to this intensive.
2. The commitment to participate in four group phone consultations with Fred during the intensive.
3. The commitment to be present for the phone Dharma Talks.
4. The commitment to read Dharma texts that will be recommended to participants.
5. The commitment to attend a bi-weekly support gathering of other sangha members participating in the intensive in-person or by phone.
6. The commitment to attend all the practice periods of your sangha during the Intensive.
There is a suggested donation of $100 associated with this Intensive. This is a suggested donation, and participants are free to donate more or less, depending on their individual practice of Dana and their financial situation. Please note that participation in this Intensive is only open to members of the FCM sangha. For information about membership, please access our website at www.floridamindfulness.org.
This intensive will begin October 3 and continue through December 26. Dharma texts to be read will be announced once registration has been completed. You may pay on-line or send your check made out to the Florida Community of Mindfulness (FCM) to Florida Community of Mindfulness, 6501 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, FL 33604. Registration will close on September 4. Please be sure to register by this date.
