Please read all of the following information carefully before registering for the retreat.
In Buddhism, wisdom and compassion are seen as the two wings of the teachings: complementary and equally essential to our transformation. The path of the heart is capable of transforming our suffering by developing within us a strong sense of inter-connection with all life and overcoming the limits that self-centric living imposes. The path of the heart softens and strengthens at the same time, and shows us how to live less egotistically and more harmoniously with others. Developing a heart-mind that views all beings as our dearest friends and naturally seeks their well-being and happiness simultaneously creates the basis for happiness and well-being for ourselves. It is an incredibly powerful energy to guide and motivate our lives.
During this retreat we will focus on the specific teachings and practices in our Dharma tradition that help us cultivate this peerless mind of compassion and love. These teachings and practices will be presented with clarity and concreteness through Dharma talks, guided meditations, experiential exercises and group dialogues so that they can become on-going life practices each participant can embrace.
This retreat will be led by senior members of the Florida Community of Mindfulness. Fred will attend the retreat each evening to provide instruction and meditative practices and to answer questions related to the teachings and practices being offered. As usual, this will be a silent retreat. The silence affords us the opportunity to deepen our meditative experience while absorbing the experiential meaning of the teachings and practices presented.
The retreat is being held in Tampa, Florida at The Franciscan Center, located on the Hillsborough River. The registration fee covers both room and board (three vegetarian meals daily), as well as any administrative and incidental expenses connected to the retreat. The teachings are offered in the Buddhist tradition of Dana, wherein the teacher freely gives of him or herself to the students out of gratitude for what they’ve received from their teachers and a desire to be of service. The student’s response is also based on Dana, i.e. generosity that naturally flows from a sense of appreciation of the value of Dharma and gratitude to the living lineage.
The retreat begins with dinner on Thursday, April 25th, and ends after lunch on Sunday, April 28th. We ask that all retreatants attend the entire time of the retreat; if you cannot arrive by 6 pm on Thursday, April 25th and stay until lunch on Sunday, April 28th, please do not register. No late arrivals or early departures are permitted, as they significantly interfere with the process of retreat for everyone.
The Franciscan Center has both single and double occupancy accommodations. If you are seeking double occupancy and have someone you wish to room with, please indicate their name when you register. Otherwise, you will be placed in a room with another participant who has requested double occupancy as well. The registration fee for single occupancy is $350 and the fee for double-occupancy is $295. A limited number of Retreat Scholarships may be available. Please click here to see FCM's Retreat Scholarship Policy and for an Application, which must be submitted prior to the registration deadline for this retreat.
Please note that participation in this retreat is open to both members and non-members of the Florida Community of Mindfulness. While participation in our local sanghas and Days of Mindfulness 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 on becoming a member of FCM please click here.
Once registration has closed, all members who registered by the posted cut off date will be considered for acceptance into the retreat based on creating a balance between newer practitioners and longer term ones; between those who’ve attended several or many retreats in the past year and those who haven’t; between those that live in the Tampa Bay area and those that live in other places. Please note that your registration does not guarantee acceptance into the retreat. Registrants will receive an email stating either acceptance into the retreat or placement on the waiting list within a few days of the closing of registration.
The retreat registrar will be sending additional information to accepted registrants before the retreat begins, including directions to the Franciscan Center.
Registration will close on April 1.
