Living the Bodhisattva’s Life

Learning to think and act as an altruistic being is the subject of the text, “The Seven Points of Mind Training,” (Lojong in Tibetan) and our next Dharma Path Intensive. It is a much loved and deeply venerated text, well known for its slogans that help us apply the full breadth of the Buddha’s Mahayana teachings to daily life. These 59 slogans or mind trainings focus on how the Unconditioned Awakened Mind can beneficially manifest in the life of ordinary beings in order to give rise to lovingkindness, compassion and understanding in all the activities of our lives. The transformation of seemingly adverse situations into the path of awakening is a unique focus of these mind trainings.

In this Intensive, Fred will guide participants in understanding the 59 slogans and how to practice them.  While each participant will be studying the entire text along with commentary, Fred will regularly assign specific slogan(s) to work with, which will provide an opportunity for each participant to directly fit the text into the context of their current life condition. 

This Intensive is open to FCM members who have established a foundation of mindfulness and emotional stability through the practices of our Mindful Living Path, and are now prepared to tread more deeply into the Dharma path of transformation. If you have any questions about this Intensive or whether it is appropriate for you, please contact your current or past FCM mentor or Bryan Hindert at bbhindert@gmail.com.

The path of practice for this Intensive will include readings and assigned slogans to practice in formal meditation and in daily life. Bi-weekly group mentoring video-conference calls on Zoom will provide individual guidance and support.  These mentor calls will alternate between being led by Fred and by Ken Lenington, a senior student of Fred’s.  Four Dharma talks given by Fred and Ken will be offered to participants via Zoom.  Peer group meetings occurring bi-weekly, either in-person or on Zoom, will provide an opportunity for participants to share deeply and to provide mutual support to each other.  In addition, two Daylong retreats at our Tampa Center will be focused on the teachings of this Intensive.  These daylong retreats will be available via Zoom so that 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:

• Spend a minimum of one hour daily in formal meditative practice, study, and/or other practices related to this Intensive.
• Read Dharma texts assigned for the Intensive
• Regularly attend your local Sangha’s weekly meditation and daylong retreats as possible.

Participate in Assigned Practice Groups:

• Participate in your assigned bi-weekly mentoring group (via Zoom)
• Be present for monthly Dharma Talks (via Zoom)
• Be present for the Intensive’s 2 daylong retreats in-person or by livestream as possible.

Optional

• Peer Groups are not a required commitment of this intensive, but we strongly encourage people to attend their local or call in bi-weekly peer group if possible. 
• Choices for Peer Groups: Fort Myers, Naples, St. Petersburg, Tampa, or by Phone. For Tampa only, please indicate your preferred meeting times (Sundays 8:40-9:40 or Sundays 12:45-1:45). Please indicate all the choices that you would be able to attend.

Please note that participation in this Intensive is only open to members of FCM. For information about membership, please access our website at www.floridamindfulness.org.

This Intensive will begin on February 18 and end on May 13.  Readings and Zoom teleconference/phone call instructions will be announced once registration has been completed.

Registration will close on January 21.  To ensure you register on time, please register immediately or mark the registration closing date in your calendar now.

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 6 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
• could do but not preferred
• cannot do. 

If there is more than one group that will work well for you, please mark all these as “my first choice.” This will provide us with added flexibility in making group assignments. Please have your calendar available when you register so that you can complete this part of the registration process accurately. 

Group 1 - Wednesday Mornings 7:30-8:30 am Feb 27, March 13 & 27, April 10 & 24

Group 2 - Wednesday Evenings 5:30-6:30 pm Feb 27, March 13 & 27, April 10 & 24

Group 3 - Thursday Mornings 7:30-8:30 am Feb 28, March 14 & 28, April 11 & 25

Group 4 - Wednesday Mornings 7:30-8:30 am March 6 & 20, April 3 & 17, May 1

Group 5 - Wednesday Evenings 5:30-6:30 pm March 6 & 20, April 3 & 17, May 1

Group 6 - Thursday Mornings 7:30-8:30 am March 7 & 21, April 4 & 18, May 2