July 9 – August 27, 2018

This seven-week Summer Intensive, rooted in the Mindful Living Path, will focus on our tradition’s foundational practices for living a life of happiness, solidity, and well-being.  Our happiness is directly related to our ability to be present to life, to see clearly what is occurring in our surroundings, as well as what is occurring in our own minds.

This Intensive will introduce the core abilities and practices for living a life of mindfulness and awareness:  establishing a consistent mindfulness meditation practice to develop stability of mind, mindfulness of emotions and thoughts, and bringing mindfulness to the activities of our daily life.  It will include specific practices from the Plum Village tradition, including conscious breathing, deep relaxation, walking meditation, mindful eating, deep listening/loving speech and lovingkindness meditation.  Through Dharma talks, written instructions, recorded guided meditations, personal guidance from mentors, and an opportunity to interact with Fred during an Intensive Forum, participants will develop direct experience and competence in these life-changing practices and will learn to incorporate them into their lives.

This Intensive is appropriate for new practitioners and for anyone who would like the opportunity to experientially review the foundational practices of mindfulness in the Plum Village Tradition.

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:

Study & Practice:

• Spend a minimum of 30 minutes daily in formal meditative practice, study, and/or other practices related to this Intensive.
• Read Dharma texts assigned for the Intensive.
• Regularly attend weekly meditation and Days of Mindfulness during the Intensive, as possible.

Participate in Assigned Practice Groups:

• Be present for the Dharma Talks (3 talks via Zoom).
• Participate in assigned Mentor Group calls (3 calls via Zoom).
• Be present for the Forum with Fred (in person or via Zoom).

This Intensive is open to all FCM members, and newer members are especially encouraged to register.  The suggested donation for this Intensive is $50 (no fee for Supporting and Sustaining FCM members).  This is a suggested donation; participants are free to donate more or less, depending on their individual practice of Dana and their financial situation.

This Intensive will begin July 9 and continue through August 27. 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 June 11.  Out of consideration for our Intensive organizers, and to ensure your acceptance into the Intensive, please register immediately or mark the registration closing date in your calendar now.

Please note that participation in Intensives is open only to members of the Florida Community of Mindfulness (FCM).  While participation in our local sanghas, Days of Mindfulness, and many other activities 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.  For information about membership, please access the membership section of our website.

REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

Please read the information below before you click to register.

Mentoring Groups.  When you register, you will also be asked to indicate your preferences for the Mentoring Groups offered through ZOOM.  The following seven mentoring groups will be listed, and you will be required to score each group as one of the following:  my first choice, my second choice, cannot do, or could do but not preferred.  Please have your calendar available when you register so that you can complete this part of the registration process accurately.

Mentor Group Options

• 1.       Mondays 7:30-8:30 am – July 16, July 30 & August 13
• 2.      Tuesdays 7:30-8:30 am – July 17, July 31 & August 14
• 3.      Tuesdays 4:00-5:00 pm – July 17, July 31 & August 14
• 4.      Tuesdays 7:30-8:30 pm – July 17, July 31 & August 14
• 5.      Mondays 7:30-8:30 am – July 23, August 6 & August 20
• 6.      Mondays 6:30-7:30 pm – July 23, August 6 & August 20
• 7.      Tuesdays 4:00-5:00 pm – July 24, August 7 & August 21